soft furnisher€¦ · and within our own industry, the next generation of upholsterers and soft...

Soft Furnisher

Official journal of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers www.upholsterers.co.uk

September/October/November 2013

19–22 January 2014NEC Birminghamwww.interiors.com

OFC_USF_Sept-Nov13.qxp:USF Cover 29/08/2013 15:25

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Comment

Jan TurnerEditor

I sometimes think we underestimate terribly, the value of thegeneration game.

Whether it’s our own offspring or the young blood coming through interms of the new generation, it sounds obvious to say so, but they reallyare the future.

The next generation has been very much in our minds this summer.We’ve seen the arrival of Prince George, the new third-in-line to the throne.And within our own industry, the next generation of upholsterers and softfurnishers have been enjoying the limelight at the annual round of studentawards ceremonies. On pages 16 and 17 you can read all about them.

A little chap called Joshua Sims also made the news when he won thisyear’s MakeIt! (furniture) competition with an imaginatively upholsteredchair that he can be seen proudly showing off on page 8.

Joshua is the embodiment of all that our craft holds dear. He’s young,enthusiastic, eager to learn and has the massive potential to be amongthose who take an important and valuable tradition forward.

There are many within our industry who worry about who will takethe skills forward – and there are many who are actively doing somethingabout it and training budding newcomers in what is a difficult and long-time-in-the-making art. It’s certainly the ethos at the latest training centreto gain ‘AMUSF Approved’ status, The Upholstery Skills Centre atStapleford Abbotts in Essex (see page 6).

Someone once told me that it takes at least eight years before thecraft of upholstery begins to even start feeling second nature.

Those who grow up surrounded by, or with parents who work in anindustry, are often the natural heirs to the business but it doesn’t alwaysfollow that they have either the inclination or the ability to take on thefamily mantle.

Some of the most successful businesses I know and work with are runby the sons and daughters of family businesses. They run lean and dynamiccompanies and what they do is quite literally ‘in the blood’. Some of themenjoy multi-million pound turnovers and ‘daddy’ (as it usually still is) hastaken a bit of a backseat and oversees things from his role as chairman.

Sadly, there are none too many multi-million pound turnovercompanies in our sector, but there are some healthy and thriving familyconcerns which is always encouraging to see. Perhaps if it was a morefinancially lucrative field of work, there’d be more.

Unfortunately, more common by far, are the sole traders andpartnerships with no heir apparent to take up the reigns which is adesperate sadness given all the years of know-how and customersatisfaction built up.

More people are keen to learn the skill than there are currently placesavailable for, since education cutbacks saw a sharp reduction in the numberof local authority run classes. Those who do take it up generally do so attheir own expense – many of them as ‘middle aged hobbyists’ rather thanas potential business professionals.

We need to catch the upholsterers and soft furnishers of the future atan early age and fire them up while they are still young. So three cheers toProskills and Wendy Shorter Interiors for getting together to talk about apossible MakeIt! Upholstery-specific competition for schools. Wendy hasalso secured funding from the Drapers Company for another possibleschools project and is using prize money from her Crafts Skills award (forEncouraging Craft Skills in an Informal Setting) towards another schoolsprogramme. Hopefully we’ll be able to bring you more news on thesedevelopments in future issues.

If it encourages a few more Joshuas to take up the art, it will representa small but important step forward in the all-important, can’t-be-overestimated generation game.

Until the next time..

Jan Turner

Upholsterer&Soft Furnisher

Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher

Editor: Jan Turner, AKA PRT: 01756 795374 F: 01756 798789E: [email protected]

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Soft Furnisher

Official journal of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers www.upholsterers.co.uk

September/October/November 2013

19–22 January 2014NEC Birminghamwww.interiors.com

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04_USF_Sept-Nov13:usf 30/08/2013 12:15 Page 1

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Contents

6 & 7 AMUSF News Update andBranch Briefings

8 Industry News

10 & 11 Ask FIRA

12 ACE celebrations, FAMU AGMWeekend; and answers fromMyDecozo

14 & 15 Feature: Never Ending Circuit

16 & 17 Student Awards

18 Member Profile: AngliaUpholstery

20 & 21 Profile: Silver Service

24 Memory Lane: RoyalConnections

25 Supplier Directory

26 In the Hotseat: RobbieRichardson

News

Features

AMUSF ContactsHead Office

Association General Manager: Richard Ranklin Email: [email protected] Assistant: Susan Tyler Email: [email protected]

Wycombe House, 9 Amersham Hill, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP13 6NR

Tel: 01494 452965 Website: www.upholsterers.co.uk

Branch ContactsBeds, Bucks, Herts and North London – Wendy Shorter

Tel: 01727 824358Email: [email protected]

Hants & Dorset – Kevin Lee – Tel: 01489 572108Kent – Davin White – Tel: 020 8854 4402

London – Wynne Gilham – Tel: 01708 752333Surrey – Ron Mercure – Tel: 020 8941 4521

Scotland – Sandy Stewart – Tel: 01555 772052

Regional ContactsYorkshire – Mavis Baddeley – Tel: 0113 2633031

West Midlands – Bob Bishton – Tel: 01543 418127(daytime)Email: [email protected]

05_USF_Sept-Nov13.qxp:5 30/08/2013 12:16

6 Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher September/October/November 2013

AMUSF news roundup

The Upholstery Skills Centre at StaplefordAbbotts in Essex, is the latest trainingcentre to gain ‘AMUSF Approved’ status.It is run by Yvette Dearden and master

upholsterers Mark Marsh, Paul Marsh andDavid Popkin who each have over 30 years’experience in the trade and originallystudied at the London College of Furniture.Their work has been featured on TV andcan be seen in a number of prestigeLondon hotels including the Savoy,Dorchester and Claridges along withMichelin Star restaurants and ClarenceHouse. Yvette, Mark and David have alsoworked as industry experts, demonstratingthe craft of upholstery at the Ideal Homeshow for the past four years.Said Yvette, who takes care of business

development: “We felt that upholstery wasa bit of a dying art and wanted to pass on

the skills of the trade and train the nextgeneration of upholsterers.”The foursome come from three different

businesses and have known each other formany years. Yvette and David Popkin runFurniture Divas, Paul Marsh comes fromW.J. Cox (established in 1945) and MarkMarsh comes from Master Upholsterers.Said Yvette: “Take up has been beyond

our expectations. We offer courses for bothhobbyists and people who want to take upupholstery professionally.”Leisure courses have been running since

April and one-year professional coursesstart in September. “People kept asking usto train them and we felt there was a realdemand out there,” said Yvette.The business itself – established last

November - is based on a farm andrecently expanded in to new buildings.

SKILLS QUARTET

Upholstery skills centre , from l-r - Yvette Dearden, MarkMarsh, David Popkin, Paul Marsh

There’s just days to go before the AMUSFweekend get-together (September 14and 15) at Wyboston Lakes ConferenceCentre, Bedfordshire - and a healthyturnout of members is expected!Recently announced is an added

attraction for the event with a display ofaround 30 miniature chairs, collected over40 years by one of the leading upholsteryexponents in the country, Angela Burgin. Said association manager Richard

Ranklin: “We’re delighted that Angela isable to join us with her extraordinarycollection of chairs and to be on hand totalk through the challenges andopportunities each one gave her as shebuilt up her collection.”A chance for members and their guests

to meet up, network and socialise, theweekend will include the formal businessof the association’s OGM and AGM whichstart at 2pm on the Saturday. A drinksreception and dinner are to be held in theevening.Watch out in the next issue of U&SF for

a full report and pictures of the weekend.

DEREK STANLEY AUSTINThe funeral took place of Derek StanleyAustin, porcelain and antique furnitureexpert, on Wednesday May 29 at St George’sParish Church, Beckenham. Derek, MasterUpholder from 1996-7 was born on 14 June1925. Following RAF service in Canada from1943, and service in 242 TransportCommand UK, he landed his ‘dream job’ as aLancaster Captain on Bomber Squadron atRAF Upwood, Huntingdon.In 1949 he joined the family firm, Austins

of Peckham, founded by Derek’s greatgrandfather in 1868, once the largestfurniture and antiques emporium in Europecounting members of the aristocracy amongits clients.

As part of his training, Derek studied the History of Furniture at City Lit andPorcelain at the V&A and Morley College, with John Cushion. He became an expertand went on to spend many years lecturing on furniture and porcelain for theBromley National Trust and Dulwich Picture Gallery. This expertise in his field ledto one of the highlights of Derek’s life, being appointed a supernumerary Fellowof Harris Manchester College in return for the advice he gave on their collectionsand for helping them to catalogue their furniture pieces.Derek leaves his sister Valerie, daughter Elizabeth (Liz) and three grandchildren,

Caroline, Anna and Olivia. The Upholders are pleased to confirm the continuance of the long standing

annual Derek Austin Awards for Cabinet Making and Furniture Restoration atLondon Metropolitan University.

AMUSF WEEKEND

UPDATE

06-07_USF_Sept-Nov13.qxp:06-07 21/08/2013 10:37

Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher 7

AMUSF news roundup

Branch briefings� Notes from the Kent branch meeting on July 1: Frank

Geoghegan thanked the branch for organising the Sundaylunch and showed members a hand stitched piping from an1830 Georgian chair; Hazel and Cyril Knight organised anopen gardens weekend between July 13 and 14 where allgardens in the area of St Margaret’s Bay near Dover wereopened to the general public; Kent branch’s annual dinnerand dance will be held at Brands Hatch on November 302013; Keith and Julie Cleal are organising a fish and chipnight and quiz at Whitstable Cricket Club; Franco Marinellitalked about how PVA can be now be used on hide, flesh toflesh. Branch contact is Davin White on 020 8854 4402.

� The next regional networking meeting of the Beds, Bucks,Herts and North London branch of the AMUSF will beheld on Wednesday October 23 at 7.30pm at WendyShorter Interiors, Colney Heath, near St. Albans. As well asthe usual get together over coffee and cake, there will be atalk by Michael Gilham. Michael has a wealth of experienceand expertise gained over many years in the softfurnishings industry and will provide useful hints and tipsfor successful track and pole fitting and the dressing ofbeautiful curtains and blinds. Anyone interested shouldcontact Wendy: [email protected](01727) 824358.

� Hants and Dorsetbranch: Because theweather has been sounpredictable overthe last few years,the branch decidedto have its BBQ inGraham andMargaret's garden,where members not only had a convivial meal but enjoyedplaying with Graham's trains. The weather was wonderfully

warm and sunny. The nextmeeting will be the AGMon Wednesday October 2,venue to be arranged.

Mary Crack, four of herdaughters and her threegranddaughters completedthe Race for Life on SundayJuly 14. The temperaturewas 32 degrees centigradebut everybody finished inrecord time and have so far

raised £195 for Cancer Research. The web will be open fordonations until October at www.justgiving.com/Mary-Crack.

Students from the North LancsTraining Group had the chance to testtheir skills on a real life restorationproject when a localchurch asked if theycould restore 12 piecesof furniture for thealtar and baptismalareas.

Ten apprenticesworking in furnitureindustry disciplines setto work on pieces thatwere more than a century old. The 12pieces ranged from kneelers, throughto ornate models and hand turnedpolished frames.

Said course tutor Martin Kelly: “Thechairs and kneelers required strippingdown and re-upholstering usingtraditional and modern techniques.The detailed braiding and alignment

of cover (Draylon), proved to be achallenge for the apprentices, as theyare more used to working with

modern fabrics thatdo not shade or havea distinctive pileformation.

“The apprenticeswere given theopportunity to trydifferent methods offabrication with jutewebbing/

herringbone and canvas to build upsupports. They adapted the tacksused to the strength and quality offrames in excess of 100 years old.Braiding was used and slip stitchingon corner pleating created thetraditional effect.

The project took over 12 months tocomplete.

PROJECT FROM HEAVEN

North Lancs Training Group churchrestoration project

Hants and Dorset branch BBQ: Mary Crack, JanetPotton, Margaret Carpenter, Nicole and John

Stonehouse.

The successful runners showing off theirmedals: Seen l-r, daughters Julia, Vic and

Sam, granddaughter Sasha, Mary Crack,granddaughter Felicity, daughter Mandy and,

front left, granddaughter Heather.

WYNNE LEADS THE WAY FOR WOMENWynne Gilham, FAMU andlong-time member of theAMUSF has been elected tothe office of Junior Wardenof The Worshipful Companyof Upholders. Afterbecoming the first femaleLiveryman in 2002, Wynnewas elected on to the Courtin April 2012.

Her ‘clothing’ as JuniorWarden now sets her on a course to be the firstlady Master of the Company in April 2015, whenher main theme will be to promote the higheststandard of trade practices within the softfurnishing and upholstery industry, especiallywith young people in mind.

Said Wynne: “I am absolutely delighted tohave been clothed as Junior Warden andconsider the role and position ahead to be agreat privilege.”

06-07_USF_Sept-Nov13.qxp:06-07 21/08/2013 10:38

Industry roundup


EXHIBITION ROUNDUP

Further to the feature in the Springissue of U&SF looking at how theMakeIT! Competition for schools hasincreased the profile ofthe furnishings sectoramong youngsters, wecan now report on thisyear’s winners.

Announced at apacked awardsceremony at theNational Furniture Showat Rycotewood FurnitureCentre, Oxfordshire inJune, a host of industryprofessionals and finalist schools sawJoshua Sims, a pupil from Henry BoxSchool in Oxfordshire named as the2013 MakeIT! overall winner, for hischair design.

As part of the MakeIT! Furniture

programme, students are asked todesign an item of furniture which canbe manufactured using sustainable

materials and eco-friendlymanufacturing techniques.

Other winners were:MakeIT! Furniture Year 10Winner,Troy Aston-Wright,Dene Magna School;MakeIT! Furniture Year 12Winner, Charles Oyediran,Chatham and ClarendonGrammar School;Commended DesignWinner, Tom Penrose, King

Alfred’s School; Best Design ImagesWinner, Chloe Poulter, Richmond UponThames College; Best DesignDevelopment Process – Jodie Wonford– Chatham and Clarendon GrammarSchool

Reviews�MANCHESTER FURNITURE SHOW, Manchester Central, July 14 – 17Organisers reported a very successful show with a far morepositive and upbeat atmosphere than expected. Visitor numberswere lower than anticipated, largely due to the extreme hightemperatures and clash with Ramadan, but orders and interestwere above most exhibitors’ expectations. On site rebookingnumbers were considerably higher than for the past five years,with several new, high profile companies requesting space in theCentral Hall for 2014.

Previews� BITA SHOWCASEThe British Interior Textiles Association is about to start itsautumn tour of the UK from September 5 – 25. The show startsin Copthorne near Gatwick and finishes in Belfast NorthernIreland, visiting nine towns in total. The roadshow will also visitWelwyn Herts, Exeter Devon, Winchester Hants, Droitwich Worcs,Nottingham, Wetherby North Yorks and Manchester.

‘It is incredible to think we started with just 10 brands in 2008and will be presenting new collections from over 40 brands thisyear! We have grown from strength to strength and our visitornumbers have increased by an average of 30% year on year”, saysDiane Harding, vice chairman of BITA and show organiser.

As well as regular exhibitors such as Hallis Hudson, FibreNaturelle, Rol-lite Blinds and Simpson Interiors – BITA also has 14first time exhibitors including Fabricut, James Hare and NV Blinds

For more information contact Diane Harding on 07912379739 or email [email protected] � THE BED SHOW, International Centre, Telford, September 24 – 25New exhibitors at this year’s National Bed Federation (NBF) BedShow - the only bed-specific exhibition in the UK - are: the UK’slargest manufacturer of hot melt adhesives Beardow Adams;Leeds based component supplier Global Material Sourcing; andbed manufacturer Siesta Beds.

Now in its fourth year, the Bed Show provides a showcase forvisitors to learn more about the latest technological innovationslikely to be incorporated into beds as well as to view new,finished products and ranges from the UK’s leading bedmanufacturers and suppliers.

Parking and entry are free for visitors, and Telford InternationalCentre is easily accessible from all parts of the UK. A gala dinnerand awards ceremony will again be held. For more informationand to register online visit www.bedshow.co.uk �DECOREX INTERNATIONAL, Perks Field and The Orangery,Kensington Palace, September 22 – 25.The UK’s premier luxury design and interiors show moves to anew location for 2013. Showcasing brand new products andemerging talent, this year’s show will feature a famouslydesigned entrance; the design world’s finest will give talks inthe Seminar Theatre; and the Martin Brudnizki Design Studiowill be designing the famous Champagne Bar, centrepiece ofthis year’s show.

CHARITY TEEThe ever-popular Furniture Makers NationalCharity Golf Championship will be held on FridaySeptember 13 at the prestigious MelbourneChampionship Course at Brocket Hall, Welwyn,Hertfordshire.

All proceeds from the tournament go tohelping current and former furnishing industryemployees who find themselves facingunexpected financial hardship.

The charity’s longest running event, it is also theculmination of the Furniture Makers’ regional golfevents with players all vying to win the covetedCabinet Maker Cup for the best net score. There aremany trophies to compete for during the full dayof golf which is followed by a lunch and trophypresentation. The tournament is a singlesStableford full handicap competition open to menand women. For more information, to book aplace or enquire about sponsorship opportunities,contact Monica Martin on 020 7256 5558 oremail: [email protected]

Joshua with Chair

WINNERS OF MAKEIT! SCHOOLS COMPETITION

08_USF_Sept-Nov13.qxp:08 21/08/2013 10:40

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09_USF_Sept-Nov13:USF 30/08/2013 15:05 Page 1

QIs there a definitive guide to the different types ofupholstery leather available? Each supplier seems touse their own terminology.

AThere are a number of different types of upholsteryleather, all of which have their own properties and suitdifferent types of upholstery. The types of leather are:

Aniline – Natural or dyed leather finished by application of acoherent surface coating, clear or coloured with dye.Semi-Aniline – The base coat of the finish contains pigment,but later coats contain only dye, or a contrasting pigment, togive a two-tone appearance, designed to imitate anilineleather.Pigmented Full Grain – A finish coating containing fine

MORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED In this issue we look at a range of commonly posed queries from members – fromupholstery leathers and pet beds to the ever perplexing subject of FR regs

Ask FIRA


Flexing resistance test for leather

10_USF_Sept-Nov13.qxp:10 29/08/2013 14:10


Ask FIRA

pigment particles in a binder has been applied to the grainsurface.Pigmented Corrected Grain – Where the grain layer has beenpartially removed by buffing to a depth governed by thecondition of the raw material and upon which a new surfacehas been built by the application of various finishes.Finished Split – A ‘flesh split’ is the inner or under layer of hideseparated from it by a splitting machine. A ‘finished split’ refersto a flesh split that has been finished by the application of asurface coating to simulate the appearance of a grain leather.Nubuck – Cattle hide leather buffed on the grain side to give avery fine velvety surface; white or coloured.Suede – Velvet-like nap finish produced on leather by abrasiveaction.Antique Grain (sometimes described as ‘two-tone’ or ‘rub-off’) – A surface pattern of markings or creases, usuallyirregular, in which the hollows are often given a contrastingcolour to produce a two-tone or two-colour effect. The creasesare produced by embossing, boarding or other similar means.Pull-Up (sometimes described as a ‘waxy’ or ‘oily pull-up’) – A leather that by design lightens in colour when stretched.

QIs there clear guidance yet on the need for conformance of pet beds to the FR regulations?

AAs yet, pet beds are not covered by the Furniture &Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations. Whilst pet bedsare not specifically covered by the aforementioned

Regulations they should still be safe and fit for purpose under theGeneral Product Safety Regulations. Therefore, as a large numberof pet beds essentially resemble floor cushions, most Trading

Standards officers and test laboratories advise as a minimum totest the fillings, especially if they are polyurethane foam.

QAm I obliged to supply FR labels for a piece offurniture I recovered 12 months ago and is now tobe sold at auction?

AWhether you are obliged to supply labels for therecovered furniture would be dependent on how muchreupholstering was performed, what information you

were supplied by your customer and what agreement if any youhad with your customer with regards to labelling.

If you only replace the cover on a product you should notsupply a label unless you have been supplied all the relevantinformation for all of the other upholstery components on theproduct, so you know the product fully complies with theFurniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations. However,this would still depend on whether there was an agreementbetween you and your customer to re-label the product afterrecovering.

If you fully reupholster the product you should then re-labelit as you would have all relevant information for the upholsterycomponents that you have used, all of which should becompliant with the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety)Regulations. The only time this would not be applicable is if youwere reupholstering pre-1950’s furniture using original stylematerials in which case these would be non-compliant andtherefore the product would be unable to be labelled.

For more information about FIRA Testing services, please visit www.fira.co.uk/testing-certification, call 01438 777 700, or email [email protected].

Flammability label

10_USF_Sept-Nov13.qxp:10 29/08/2013 14:10


News extra

This year’s Fellows AGM weekend had aholiday feel thanks to hot and sunnyweather – and a seaside location.

Held at Emsworth, near Chichester,guests were able to take advantage of theMediterranean temperatures with a chanceto visit Emsworth Harbour and enjoy theboats, sea and pubs.

At the Fellows meetings, the generalconsensus was to alternate weekendsaway between Warmsworth andEmsworth for two years and then moveout to the east and west of the country.Anyone who knows of a suitable venue forthese should let the Clerk or Upholderknow.

Said FAMU member Kevin Lee: “After a

very pleasant finger buffet lunch weboarded the coach for a visit toPetworth House. Among otherattractions it has the largestcollection of Turner paintings in thecountry and Turner himself visited thehouse quite often. The thing I found veryinteresting was the dig on the north side.They are trying to find the North tower ofthe original building.”

A formal dinner later followed at thehotel where Michael Gilham, in hiscapacity as Upholder presented Mary Crackwith a gift thanking her for her work asClerk for the past six years. Said Kevin: “Avery rare thing then happened - Mary wasspeechless! However that didn't last long

and she thanked everyone for theirthoughtfulness and kindness and said thatit was so unexpected that she wascompletely dumbfounded.”

Bob Bishton organised a quiz, reportedto be so diabolical that hardly anyonecould answer. The winning table scored17/30 and the £25 raised – along withreturned prize money from the winningtable, was donated to Cancer Research.

Said Kevin: “The message is, if you wanta brilliant and enjoyable weekend nextJuly, come and join us at Warmsworth!”

If you haven’t discovered MyDecozo - the UKs largest soft furnishings forum –you could be missing out on all sorts of advice and tips. In this, the first of aregular column for U&SF readers, we dip into some of the conversation thatfollowed a query on how to pattern match seams. Q. I am fairly new to curtain making and struggle when trying to patternmatch seams – any tips?Member responses:-• I learned something new from my outworkers theother day. Place the right sides together as normal.Then turn back the required seam allowance of thewidth on top. Then stitch close to the fold line youhave just turned back. When you fold over to theright side you have a normal looking seam butcannot pull it apart to see in between the stitches.

• I wish I'd read this before I hand basted and sewed fourdouble width curtains in an embroidered silky fabric thatslipped and slid and drove me nuts! I ended up hand slipstitching each seam before machine sewing in order topattern match properly, and even then it's not absolutelyperfect as the embroidery's pulled the fabric a little off grainin places. This would have quite possibly solved my problem- I'm off to try it with an offcut!

• When joining the fabrics using this method, you must lay it a few millimetresoff line from the back to allow for the fold over. Stitch very close to the edge.• I have also tried this method. It certainly makes pattern matching easier but Ialso felt it made the seam quite rigid and more obvious. • It doesn’t suit all fabrics, but make sure your tension is not too tight andperhaps make the stitch length slightly longer. Using a walking foot also helpsif you have one.

FELLOWS GO SOUTH

CCM ACE Ltd, specialists in software products forsoft furnishings professionals, is celebrating its 30thanniversary.

Started in 1983 by md Hilton Matus,the North Manchester-based companyis best known for its automatic curtainestimating (ACE) system, used bymany leading department andfurnishing stores as well as contractors,curtain workrooms and high street shops.

With a background in computers dating back tothe 1970’s, Hilton was inspired to design softwarethat would help soft furnishers manage the day-to-day business of curtain estimating.

Since then, the company – which has long beenassociated with the AMUSF - has expanded itsbespoke software writing business to cope with thedemands of many diverse fabric and soft furnishingcompanies, including the launch of three apps foriPhone and iPads. These do everything from a quickfabric calculation to see how much fabric is requiredon a job, right through to a quote to include the costof curtain making, fabric and lining.

Its latest launch - for shops wanting to sell made-to-measure curtains on the web – is software thatplugs in to an existing website allowing users to dothe calculation on the web.

Said Hilton: “Thirty years is quite a milestone inthis day and age. To celebrate I will be taking theCCM ACE TEAM out for a good meal and somecelebratory drinks in Manchester! “

ACE YEAR AS SOFTWARE COMPANYCELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY

HELPFUL HINTS FROM

Seam from wrong side

Seam from rightside

Hilton Matus

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Feature

NEVER ENDING CIRCUITTen years ago Carol Circuit was studying for a degree in restoration when she was asked byher hairdresser to upholster a Victorian chaise longue he had stored above the shop. It wasa piece that did not inspire but which she eventually agreed to do -and so began a projectthat has changed her life. Carol takes up the story….

“It was 2003 and I was approachingthe final year in my FurnitureConservation and Restoration BA

course in High Wycombe at what is nowthe Bucks New University. I needed toprovide pieces of furniture to work on inmy final year and my hairdresser keptsuggesting I had a go at restoring a chaiselongue he had stored above the shop.

“It was a very average looking piece –not something that made your heart singat all but I eventually agreed to take it on.

“The webbing on the seat had gone,there was paint on the framework and ithad just been surface buttoned – so not aprofessional job at all. Under a very 1980slooking beige cover I found a 60s stylegold velvet cover and under that was athin cotton paisley design fabric – the sortof thing that was very popular at the turnof the last century.

“When I took that off I would haveexpected to have found horsehair stuffing

but what was actually there were littlehand sized bundles of textiles – all tightlybound in little packets and lashed on tothe frame.

“Among them, the first thing thatcaught my eye was a little cotton ladies

cap with lace trim and ties. I found 16more pieces of clothing and other items ofephemora including a toddlers black silkdress, two gentlemen’s shirt collars and atie with a pre-formed knot and springclasp to keep it in place around the neck.

“There was also a sleeve from a morningsilk, a sock with more darning than sockand a pocket of the type that people usedto tie around their waist, made in flanneland cotton and also darned to death.

“And then I saw something else thatfired my imagination although at first Ididn’t realise what it was – it was onlyafter taking it along to an ‘opinions day’ atthe V&A that I knew for sure it was abustle. The experts there told me it datedback to the 19th century and was madefrom crinoline – a fabric made fromhorsehair and linen.

“By now I was hooked and at theeleventh hour decided to change thesubject of my dissertation. I’d spent sixmonths working on my original thesis somy tutor was aghast and thought I’d

19th century bustle

Burgis and Colbourne labelcotton ladies cap with lace trim and ties

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taken leave of my senses.“But what I’d discovered was like a time

capsule. If all these clothes and fabrics hadjust been used as an economy I can’tbelieve anyone would have gone to somuch trouble to pack them in the way Ifound them. What I had discovered was areal slice of social history.“As well as the items of clothing there

were altogether around 800 smallishpieces of fabric – and a small white cottonbag, the content of which was to set meon a fascinating trail of discovery. Insidewas some paper including a store labelthat said Burgis and Colbourne ofLeamington Spa and written on it was‘Miss Smith of 20 Russell Terrace’“I was so intrigued that I wrote a letter

to the owners now living at that address,explaining what I had discovered and thatI was researching it for my thesis.Unbelievably they not only wrote back butinvited me to stay! They turned out to bea fabulous couple and the visit marked thestart of my search in to ‘Miss Smith’s’ancestory.“Back in 2003 that was nowhere as easy

to do as it is now with the arrival of theinternet but I found her! I discovered thatshe was called Sarah Henrietta HaynesSmith and was born in Evesham in 1848.Miss Smith never married, lived with herparents (her mother was also called Sarah)and was not recorded as having anyoccupation.“She had a brother, William Borthwick

Smith, who was seven years older than herand a fascinating character himself. Clearlya bit of an entrepreneur he went intopartnership with a William Hillman, thefounder of Hillman cars and James Starley

who was considered the father of thebicycle. He invented the ariel bike – a typeof penny farthing.“There’s evidence of a lot of patent

applications from William BorthwickSmith and he attended a lot ofinternational exhibitions. He later movedto London and married.

“The past decade has been a journey ofdiscovery and I’m now cataloguing all thefabrics as part of my PHD thesis as theycould become a reference point for thefuture. It’s the manner in which they werefound that makes them so interesting.“The chaise itself was in really bad

condition and needed a lot of work doingto the frame but I did what I set out to dowith it. I stuffed it with horsehair andcovered it with a cream silk fabric and myhairdresser and his wife were so delightedwith the finished piece it now takes prideof place in their home.“To them it’s a fully restored chaise

longue with an interesting past but for meit has been much more. A life changingproject which still fills my life and is likelyto do so for many more years to come.”

Calico label

The chaise refilled

The chaise restored

The chaise uncovered

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Student awards

LONDON METThe annual student awards took place at the London Metropolitan University,Central House Campus in June 2013, recognising the work and efforts of allthose who had done well across a range of furniture conservation, restoration,design and manufacture, and upholstery courses.

The evening was openedby Mr Paul Bowler,deputy chief executive ofLondon MetropolitanUniversity. Said MalcolmHopkins, courseorganiser, upholstery:“Having been involvedwith the awards sincethey started back in1990 it always givesgreat satisfaction to allthe staff to hear thecomments from thejudges about the highstandard of workproduced by thestudents and the difficult decisions thatthey have on occasions in choosing thewinning students.”

The Upholder Awards were dedicated to

the late Derek Austin in recognition for hissupport and sponsorship of the awards.

Special thanks go to all the sponsors:Heico Fasteners UK; David Harris Trust;

Archetype Publications; WorshipfulCompany of Furniture Makers;Worshipful Company of Upholdersincluding the Derek Austin award.The winning upholstery studentswere:• Intermediate Upholstery Skills:1st prize, Susan Pickering; 2ndprize, Cathy Lepinay; HighlyCommended, Nicki Tarr.• Advanced Upholstery Skills: 1stprize, Virginia Tuck; 2nd prize,Bettina Langlois; HighlyCommended, Sally Mollett.• Derek Austin Award forFoundation Degree of Arts(design and furniture making):

Joint 1st place to Ben Abbott Joint andTim Grist.• Derek Austin Award for BA FurnitureRestoration: Stephen Tyrrell

WENDY SHORTER INTERIORSGlorious weather meant outside presentations were in order at theWendy Shorter Interiors student awards day in July.

Nick Mayer, Master of the WorshipfulCompany of Upholders attended theshow while AMUSF president, RonMercure presented the awards. The showwas attended by the students and theirfamilies as well as members of theAMUSF and other AMUSF trainingcentres. Three companies sponsored thisyear’s prizes.

Kobe UK sponsored the traditionalupholstery competition, giving two prizesfor stage 2 upholstery (they provide thefabric for the winning student’s stage 3projects) and two for stage 3 upholstery(with a trade account and fabric books tothe value of £325). An additional prizewas given this year for soft furnishings

(account and fabric books). Thecompetition was judged by David Harris,md of Kobe UK and Deborah Barker,editor of Homes and Gardens magazine. The winners were:• Stage 2 Upholstery: Francine Robertsand Suzy Medleycott.

• Stage 3 Upholstery: Sophie Burry andPetra Landeweerd-Schreuder • Soft Furnishings: Mosand C-FlorentBute Fabrics provided prizes for theminiature chairs modern upholsterycategory (cash prizes for the purchaseof Bute fabric). Sarah Long from ButeFabrics came along to do the judgingand the winners were:• 1st Prize: Rebecca Bartley (Fly Fishingchair)• 2nd Prize: Ina Jones (Lilly Pond chair)• 3rd Prize: Sue Blow (Under WaterStory Book chair)• Susan Blow took a runner’s up prize inthe Heico Fasteners UK DesignCompetition.

Advanced Winners, London Met - L to R Bettina Langlois, Virginia Tuck & Sally Mollett

Wendy Shorter CLASS OF 2013


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Student awards

CORNHILL COURSES A village hall provided the perfect backdrop for a display of student workwhen Fife-based Cornhill Courses held its student open day on June 30.

Twenty-three studentsreceived their accreditedlevel certificates during thepresentation at Collessievillage hall where a largegathering of friends andfamily turned up to helpthe students celebrate.

Said Elsie Hutcheon whoowns and runs the AMUSFaccredited training scheme:“The very high standard ondisplay was commentedon by all. Both levels 2 and 3 have workedextremely hard this year and we were allvery proud of both the standard ofwork and the sheer amount of effort put

in by all the students.”Association president Ron Mercure and

his wife Linda made the long trip north topresent the certificates which comprised

21 distinctions and 2 credits.Students taking accredited levelsthis year at Cornhill Courses were:-• Level 3 (all distinctions): SusanHoustoun, Emily Smoor, JennyWilson, Jaqui Donachie, CindyHancock, Nicky Ferrie and GwenPullar.• Level 2 (14 distinctions and 2credits): Kenny McLeod, SuzanneSeymour-Williams, Delia Thorley,Anna Ferris, Eve Hynd, Kat Preston,Gemma Scott, Jenn MaCartney, Gill

Pettiegrew, Grainne Lennon, ColinMcCullough, Anne Horrocks, DuncanFerguson, Poppy Doyle, Sara Grabowskiand Suzanne Black.

Cornhill Courses Steve and Elsie Hutcheon, Ron Mercure. Level 2 & 3 students withcertificates

Total Textile Treatments:Flame Retarding, Water,Soil & Stain Resistant,Antibacterial, Sample

Trials & Testing In-House

Contact:T: 02392594313

[email protected]

Unit G1, Hazleton InterchangeIndustrial Estate, Lakesmere Rd.,

Horndean, Hants. PO8 9JU

16-7_USF_Sept-Nov13.qxp:16-17 30/08/2013 12:17

Member profile


How long have you been doing yourjob?For 39 years.

How long did it take to really learn theskill?I am still learning the trade to this day,something new everyday.

Do you consider yourself a craftspersonor tradesperson?Craftsman.

What makes up the bulk of your work?Upholstery and loose covers.

What keeps you motivated?Thinking of the day I hand over to my sonand him carrying the business on foranother 39 years.

What aspect of your work do you mostenjoy?Seeing the transformation from an old rundown piece of furniture to something thatlooks ‘fresh out of the showroom’.

Professionally, what is your greatestfrustration?The few customers who will do anythingnot to pay the bill, even after receiving ourquality craftsmanship.

Tell us about the most challengingproject you have ever undertaken.Being burnt down in 1985 and gettingeverything built and made exactly as itwas.

And the most unusual/bizarre/funnyrequest you have ever dealt with?Recovering an antique Victorian pram.

What are the most pressing issuescurrently facing your business?Too many inexperienced competitorsopening up or big production companiesopening nearby selling cheaper furniturenot made in this country.

How long have you been a member ofthe AMUSF and how important has thisbeen to your business?I have been a member of AMUSF for 32years and that is very important to us. Weare proud to say we are a member of theAMUSF.

Professionally, who or where do you turnto for advice/ a second opinion?On the few occasions I have needed advice Ihave always turned to AMUSF and no-oneelse.

When you talk to a fellowupholsterer/soft furnisher, the talkalways turns to....?Being a member of the AMUSF.

How do you keep your skills andtechniques updated?By learning something new everyday.

What is the single most important pieceof advice you would give to someonestarting out in this business?Work hard and give every job 100%.

Where do you see the future of theindustry?I see the industry carrying on for years tocome, if not for anything else, then forantique restoration.

What has been your proudestprofessional moment? No one specific moment: I am just proud ofeverything our little team has achieved In34 years.

Contact detailsTel: 01728 602 481Website: www.angliaupholstery.come-mail: [email protected]

CELEBRATING A DIAMOND YEARName of business Anglia UpholsteryWhen established 1979Owned by Clive SheppardLocation Farnham near Saxmundham, SuffolkSpeciality Antique restoration and bespoke modern upholsteryNumber employed Sole trader

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR BUSINESS TO BE FEATURED ON THE MEMBER PROFILE PAGE, CONTACT EDITOR JAN TURNER AT [email protected]

The team at Anglia Uphosltery, seen l-r - Clive Sheppard, JeanSheppard, Linda Dellow, Christopher Sheppard & Les Stiff.

Typical work by Anglia Upholstery

18_USF_Sept-Nov13.qxp:18 21/08/2013 10:45

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H. Webber & Sons

58 Dene Street, Dorking,Surrey, RH4 2DP

Tel. 01306 740433Fax. 01306 740811www.hwebber.co.uk

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Profile


Owned by Ian Block,the impressive clientlist includes all of the

Royal Palaces, along with anumber of stately homessuch as Chatsworth,Kenwood House, andKedleston Hall. A T Croninalso works in closepartnership with EnglishHeritage and the NationalTrust on projects such asLeeds Castle, Walmer Castleand Eltham Palace.Said Ian: “My early career

at Charles Hammond inSloane Street -a 100 yearold interior design practicespecialising in the countryhouse look - and mypassion for history, alwaysgave me a craving forhistoric restoration. My firstproject was for EnglishHeritage at Audley EndHouse in Saffron Walden,where I restored an armchairin Lady Braybrooke'sbedroom. This led to furthercommissions at Audley Endand then the ball was rollingon all other projects.”As well as using

traditional methods,everything is hand-made onsite at A T Cronin’s ValettaRoad workshop usingnatural materials such ashorse hair, cotton, wool,cambric, hessian and jute.Key to the success of the

business is the skilled teamof craftsmen andseamstresses, many of whohave been with thecompany since its launch in

SILVERSERVICECelebrating its 25th anniversary, A T Cronin has established itself as a world renowned,London-based interior workshop offering traditional craft techniques and authenticspecialist methods in curtain making, wall upholstery and fine furniture.

Grand and stately projects - this one by A T Cronin at Burghley House

20-21_USF_Sept-Nov13.qxp:20 30/08/2013 12:43


Profile

1988 and who hand stitch, hand sculpt and handmould organic shapes and designs across a range offurnishing products.

The workshop deals with everything fromupholstery and drapes to cinema furniture, wallupholstery, bespoke beds, leatherwork and specialistfinishes. It also offers a ready-made collection fromacclaimed interior designer, Virginia White which ishand made by A T Cronin and offers a capsulecollection of fine furniture echoing back to AncientGreece, British Regency and 1930s design.

Recent projects – both of which are currentlyexhibiting at Hampton Court - have included: • Queen Adelaide's BedroomA complete restoration of the room by the NationalTrust. The commission was to re-upholster andrestore all seat furniture and the bed canopy. Newwindow curtains were also made with the main redand cream Tabouret stripe fabric re-created from theoriginal by Humphries Weaving . Trimmings wereunpicked and cleaned as they were in such goodcondition and worth saving, but this element alonetook six weeks to complete. The whole project took10 people six months to complete.• George II travelling bedThe textile department at Hampton Court Palaceasked A T Cronin to create the counterpane andsome of the hangings. These items were too fragile

Traditional craftsmanship at A T Cronin's workshop

Irish Sofa from the Virginia White Collection

to display, although the bed maintains some more robust and conservedoriginal elements. The pieces re-created were made in fabric that waswoven to match the original. All elements were completely hand-sewnusing 18th century techniques. Two seamstresses worked for twomonths to complete the project.

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ROYAL CONNECTIONSIn the year the Queen celebrates the 60th anniversary of her Coronation,U&SF takes a look back through the archives to discover another royalJubilee connection back in 2002 – in this very magazine!

Memory Lane


IF YOU HAVE SOME INTERESTING ARCHIVE PICTURES OF YOUR BUSINESS, A PROJECT OR PERHAPS OLDMACHINERY OF INTEREST TO MEMBERS, PLEASE CONTACT EDITOR JAN TURNER AT [email protected]

When west country craftsmenAndrew Brown and RichardBarron were commissioned to

make a chair by the Royal Hospital,Chelsea, to mark the Queen’s GoldenJubilee, the upholstery was undertaken byAMUSF member Chris Muggleton.

The ceremonial parade chair wasconstructed from English hardwoods in aclassic ‘X’ frame and covered in a bluefabric, woven specially for the occasion bylong established specialist wool weaversFox Brothers.

In terms of upholstery, the chairpresented a challenge in that the shape ofthe cushion, which was curved, wouldtend to move and slide, so Chris made ahardwood frame which was then stuffed,stitched and surface buttoned usingtraditional methods. This was thenincorporated into and cradled by the mainchair frame.

Chris was quoted at the time as saying:

“It was a great honour for me to be askedto participate in the manufacture of such asplendid example of Englishcraftsmanship.”

Incorporated into the chair back was a

round Royal Coat of Arms carving inpearwood with the crest of the RoyalHospital,Chelseacarved intothe reverseside.

Chris Muggleton

24_USF_Sept-Nov13.qxp:24 21/08/2013 10:46


Suppliers

Jane BennettBrown & Cook Ltd77 Allcock StreetBirminghamWest Midlands B9 4DY

Barry Townsend BTS - Barry TownsendSystemsEarlsfield Business Centre9 Lydden RoadEarlsfieldLondon SW18 4LT

C S Osborne & Coc/o H Webber & Sons58 Dene StreetDorkingSurrey RH4 2DP

Dave BrownCover Tex LtdUnit 1 Orient Industrial ParkSimonds RoadLeytonLondon E10 7DE

Alan EyersEuroflamUnit G1Hazleton Industrial EstateLakesmere RoadHorndeanHampshire PO8 9JU

Karen Smith Fine Quality Feather Co LtdUnit 1 Whitworth RoadMarston Trading EstateFromeSomerset BA11 4BY

Lorenzo BonuraFurnital LtdUnits 6-8Trinity CentrePark Farm Industrial EstateWellingboroughNorthamptonshire NN8 6ZB

Kevin Baker Furnitureworks England LtdEasting CloseEast Worthing IndustrialEstateWorthingWest SussexBN14 8HQ

Charles and Helen PetriGlover BrosBroadgauge Business ParkBishops LydeardSomerset TA4 3RU

Paula Cornes or Tony CracroftGiles Insurance Brokers Ltd12 Poverest RoadOrpingtonKent BR5 2TP

H M VaughanH Vaughan Ltd26 Naval RowLondon E14 9PS

Stuart Elmy Heico Fasteners UK Ltd6 Eldon WayHockleyEssex SS5 4AD

Clem MaloneHenry Newbery & Co Ltd7G Regent Studios1 Thane VillasLondon N7 7PA

Joan Hayes FAMU J A Milton UpholsterySupplies LtdEllesmere Business ParkEllesmereShropshire SY12 0EW

M LipmanRoss FabricsManor Mill LaneLeedsYorkshire LS11 8LQ

Nigel Fillingham Martins Upholstery Supplies LtdUnit 25, The Alders IndustrialEstateSeven Mile LaneMereworthMaidstoneKent ME18 5JG

Catherine MerrickMerrick and DayRedbourne RoadRedbourneGainsboroughLincolnshire DN21 4TG

Graham FoxNelsons Labels LtdUnit 3 Wharfside CommerceParkWatersideTrafford ParkManchesterLancashire M17 1WD

Alex YoungRichard Wylie Ltd 26 West Telferton IndustrialEstateEdinburgh EH7 6UL

Pen HarrisonColly Brook Fine FurnishingsUpper BankEasthamTenbury WellsWR15 8PA

WHO’SWHOIn this issue we throw the spotlight on our member suppliers, many of whohave been members of the AMUSF for many years. From specialist suppliers ofeverything from labels and fabrics to frame makers, fasteners or everythingyou need from one-stop-shop businesses, this handy guide is a reminder ofthe businesses who actively support your business.

25_USF_Sept-Nov13.qxp:20 29/08/2013 14:15

Q & A


How would youmost like to beremembered?A little silly, kind andjust a tad naughty.

How wouldclassmates at schoolhave described you?A nutter who runsaround at 100mphand is not that giftedat it.

And the teachers?My headmaster oncesaid that I find outwhat winds peopleup and I keep onwinding them up.

How did you getinto this business?When I left school Ihad no idea what todo and mygrandfathersuggested upholstery.I haven’t looked back.

What would youclass as yourgreatestachievement?Becoming a father toa beautiful boy.

Your greatest regret?Not living in France and cycling with aFrench team in a race when I had thechance.

Is your glass half empty or half full?A bit of both really.

Who has been your greatest inspirationand why?Our president, Ron Mercure, who I loveand - albeit in two-and-a-half years -Nicola Thomas, a fantastic work colleaguewith huge talent.

When it comes to sport do you fall intothe active or armchair camp? Football orrugby?Active. Very, very active – I’ve been acyclist all my life. I hate football, rugby isOK, but I am passionate about cricket.

Your perfect day?Racing a bicycle for 12 hours. Or a daywatching a cricket match.

Your desert island disc?Blackbird by Fat Freddy’s Drop and

Pusherman by Curtis Mayfield.

If you weren’t doing what youdo now, what would you bedoing?I’d be a retired professionalcyclist (or perhaps not!).

What’s the best thing aboutour industry?The skilled people in it.

And the worst?How much our trade isundervalued by ourselves.

What would you change?An understanding of our skill.

Tell me a secretPsst, don’t tell anyone, but I loveJohnny Mathis, shhhhh.

What’s in your living room?A poster my boy won in a cyclerace. Very proud of that.

What winds you up?Idiot drivers with no respect forcyclists or others not in a tin box.

What gives you the greatestsatisfaction?A smile from work I’ve done. Ilove it!

Doer or talker?Talker. Love talking, not great atimplementation.

If you could do it all over again whatwould you do differently?Nothing, that’s life. Enjoy!

Best piece of advice to someonestarting out?Know what you want to achieve (goals),get independent business advice (notfrom friends or family) and read businessbooks. It all helps to reduce mistakes.

IN THE HOTSEAT...… WITH ROBBIE RICHARDSON OF RICHARDSON AND PAIGE AND AMUSF BOARD MEMBER

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