AMUSF Programme Stages 1, 2 and 3 leading to a Diploma

AMUSF Stage 1
Craft Certificate

Practical content

• Drop-in seat (modern materials)
• Drop-in seat (traditional materials including fabric and bottoming cloth)
• Stitched and stuffed footstool or chair (traditional materials and methods including fabric and bottoming)
• Sprung dining chair (traditional materials and methods including fabric and bottoming cloth)
• Sprung arm exercise for an inset facing (traditional materials and methods. Calico to be stitched under the roll. Fabric need not to be applied)
• Box Cushion with piping and zip (sample)
• Bolster End with piping (sample)
• Upholstered and lined box with decorative detail and deep-buttoned lid (modern materials, with a minimum of three diamonds)

Highlighted pieces will be assessed as part of the final mark/grade.

Students will also be required to produce a portfolio containing notes and details of work in progress.

Written Research Project – 10%

• Fabric Characteristics, Identification & Appropriate Usage

or

• History of Upholstered Furniture – a timeline and overview of the styles of upholstered furniture and the development of upholstery techniques and materials used

 or

• 20th Century Furniture Design – an overview of the styles, periods and iconic designers of the 20th Century.

(Training Centres may choose the order studied, provided that all three subjects are covered over the course of the three stages)

Brief Description

During this stage students will develop their practical skills, gaining knowledge and experience in the manipulation of a variety of materials and processes, within the context of a series of individual set exercises and/or assessment projects.

Students will acquire an understanding of upholstery fabrics and textiles and should be encouraged to develop, where appropriate, their own creative responses to the assessment projects.

The students will receive workshop inductions, practical demonstrations and teaching in the use and application of core materials and techniques, both modern and traditional, including instruction on:

• Health & Safety: when working with tools and equipment in a workshop environment
• Appropriate use of tools and equipment, both hand and machine
• Understanding of Domestic and Industrial Sewing machines
• Appropriate use of Fillings & Sundry Materials
• Appropriate use of techniques and processes including Knots, Blind, Top and Slip-Stitching
• Cutting, Pattern Matching and Finishing of Fabrics
• Sewing seams and decorative techniques
• Trims and Decorative detailing
• Awareness of frame repairs and polishing
• Costing Materials
• Evaluation Methods 

If this course is for you select Booking Request or ring direct on 02076229347 and speak to Sara.

AMUSF Stage 2 
International Craft Certificate

Practical Content

• T-Shaped Cushion with piping and zips (samples)
• Tailoring, including the fitting of caps and collars (samples)
• Independent sprung edge for a cushion seat (exercise) (traditional materials and methods, including fabric and front border)
• Armless chair with traditionally upholstered seat and back (seat to be sprung with coil springs)
• Post 1950s Armchair upholstered using modern materials & methods

 Highlighted pieces will be assessed as part of the final mark/grade

 Students will also be required to produce a portfolio containing notes and details of work in progress.

 Written Research Project – 10%

• Fabric Characteristics, Identification & Appropriate Usage

or

• History of Upholstered Furniture – a timeline and overview of the styles of upholstered furniture and the development of upholstery techniques and materials used

or

• 20th Century Furniture Design – an overview of the styles, periods and iconic designers of the 20th Century. 

(Training Centres may choose the order studied, provided that all three subjects are covered over the course of the three stages).

Brief Description 

During this stage students will develop their practical skills, gaining knowledge and experience in the manipulation of a variety of materials and processes, within the context of a series of individual set projects.

Students will acquire an understanding of upholstery fabrics and textiles and should be encouraged to develop, where appropriate, their own creative responses to the assessment projects.

The students will receive workshop inductions, practical demonstrations and teaching in the use and application of core materials and techniques, both modern and traditional, including instruction on:

• Health & Safety: when working with tools and equipment in a workshop environment
• Frame repair and polishing, including the fitting of castors
• Understanding of Industrial and Domestic sewing machines
• Appropriate use of Fillings & Sundry Materials
• Types of springs and suspension systems: coil, serpentine, tension springs, sprung units, pocket springs, rubber & elastic webbings etc.
• Appropriate use of foams and rubberized hair sheets and various pre-formed profiles
• Appropriate use of techniques and processes including Knots, Blind, Top and Slip-Stitching
• Cutting, Pattern Matching and Finishing of Fabrics
• Tailoring, including the fitting of caps and collars
• Basic Design Skills: sketching, colour co-ordination and scale drawing
• An understanding of the UK’s Furniture & Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 relating to domestic furniture and furnishings
• Fabric Classifications – Martindale abrasion test
• Estimating & Costing Materials
• Evaluation Methods

 If this course is for you select Booking Request or ring direct on 02076229347 and speak to Sara.

AMUSF Stage 3 
Diploma

Practical Content

• Substantial Traditional Armchair of advanced techniques, which should include at least two of the following elements: the fitting of caps and collars, scroll arms or stitched-up edges to arms, sprung arms, coil sprung seats, independent sprung edges, deep buttoning, fluting or an iron framed chair.

• Modern Chair with a concave inside back incorporating tailored fitting and top stitching i.e. Egg style (shell frame)

Highlighted pieces will be assessed as part of the final mark/grade

Students will also be required to produce a portfolio containing notes and details of work in progress.

Written Research Project – 10%

• Fabric Characteristics, Identification & Appropriate Usage

or

• History of Upholstered Furniture – a timeline and overview of the styles of upholstered furniture and the development of upholstery techniques and materials used

or

• 20th Century Furniture Design – an overview of the styles, periods and iconic designers of the 20th Century.

(Training Centres may choose the order studied, provided that all three subjects are covered over the course of the three stages)

Brief Description

During this stage students will develop their practical skills, gaining knowledge and experience in the manipulation of a variety of materials and processes, within the context of a series of individual set projects.

Students will acquire an understanding of the history of upholstered furniture and the development of techniques and materials used.

Students should be encouraged to develop, where appropriate, their own creative responses to the assessment projects.

The students will receive workshop inductions, practical demonstrations and teaching in the use and application of core materials and techniques, both modern and traditional, including instruction on:

• Health & Safety: when working with tools and equipment in a workshop environment
• Understanding of Industrial and Domestic sewing machines
• Frame repair and polishing including fitting castors: costs and time required to undertake repairs
• Appropriate use of Fillings & Sundry Materials
• Types of springs and suspension systems: coil, serpentine, tension springs, sprung units, pocket springs, rubber & elastic webbings etc.
• Appropriate use of foams and rubberized hair sheets and various pre-formed profiles
• Appropriate use of techniques and processes including Knots, Blind, Top and Slip-Stitching
• Cutting, Pattern Matching and Finishing of Fabrics
• Tailoring, including the fitting of caps and collars
• Basic Design Skills: sketching, colour co-ordination and scale drawing
• An understanding of the UK’s Furniture & Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 relating to domestic furniture and furnishings
• Fabric Classifications – Martindale abrasion test
• Estimating & Costing Materials and Labour
• Working to a deadline including timing records
• Business Studies:
• Requirements of self-employment
• H&S whilst working from home or a workshop
• Legal & Safety requirements
• Terms & Conditions
• Insurances
• PR & Marketing including social media
• Resources
• Evaluation

If this course is for you select Booking Request or ring direct on 02076229347 and speak to Sara