Upholstery School: 20 Primer Projects for the Care and Repair of Your Furnishings

A practical step-by-step beginner’s guide to upholstery, from fabrics to fixings, by one of the experts from The Repair Shop

A resident of fan-favorite ’The Repair Shop’, available on BBC, Amazon and previously Netflix, Sonnaz is acutely aware of today’s throwaway culture.

However, there’s a counter movement growing that urges us to ’make do and mend’. Reusing and upcycling has never been more popular, relevant or necessary, as people are becoming more aware of the grave implications of fast fashion/furniture on landfills and the environment - and with the cost-of-living crisis tightening everyone’s purse strings, people are even more likely to turn to DIY methods to refresh their homes and furniture.

Upholstery is one of the most accessible ways to refresh your home and in Upholstery School, The Repair Shop’s resident upholsterer Sonnaz Nooranvary will show readers exactly how to refresh their furnishings, with clear step-by-step instructions and photography, using her years of expertise and characteristic tasteful style that has cemented her as a fan favorite.

A resident of fan-favorite ’The Repair Shop’, available on BBC, Amazon and previously Netflix, Sonnaz will first outline all the basic techniques involved, from the tools and materials required, to explaining various fabrics and fixings and the difference between modern vs traditional.

The 20 step-by-step projects laid out by chapter, with most including at least one other variation, so there are plenty of options to suit every taste. Chapters include:

1. Drop-in seat
2. Scatter cushion
3. ’Fabulising’ and elevating your curtains
4. Plumping up cushions
5. Voile double-pinch-pleat curtains
6. Dining chair
7. Carver chair
8. Outdoor furniture
9. Box seat cushion
10. Bedroom chair
11. Mid-century modern chair
12. Padded leg rest/table

Sonnaz Nooranvary is a British-Iranian upholsterer based in Dorset, and best known for being the resident upholstery expert on The Repair Shop. Starting her upholstery career at 17 years old as the first female apprentice at Sunseeker Yachts, Sonnaz developed her eye for detail and exacting craftsmanship standards. Her brand ’House of Sonnaz’ launched in 2022. @sonnaz_ 30k