Upholstery
Available Dates
DATES 2024
All of our craft or activity holidays run for 5-nights from Sunday to Friday and start from £879 per person.
The above is based on single occupancy. A £100 per person discount is applied for art, craft and activity guests on a shared occupancy basis.
2025
“There are upholstery courses near me, but I was looking for somewhere specific — a retreat where I could immerse myself in a residential course and also relax. Gartmore House was the only choice for me.”
About The Course
It takes time and focus to learn how to upholster something properly that’s why Gartmore House have added in upholstory courses to our holiday catelogue.
Get away for a relaxing 5-night break and learn a few new skills along the way. You might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve during one of our upholstery courses.
Not only will you have the opportunity to learn new skills during our upholstery courses, but you’ll be surrounded with like minded people who share your passion.
Build and upholster your own retro style round footstool from scratch. The class consists of learning to construct, sew, upholster and customize your own footstool to suit you and your home. You will be given plenty of time to master the sewing machine to complete your project. Once completed you will also be able to learn how to make your own buttons and buttoned pinboard which is the basics of how to build your own headboard.
At the end of the holiday will be able to take your completed project home to show off to your friends and family.
Course Inclusions And Coverage
This course is an all-in-one package which includes the following:
Tuition
Booking for this course includes 4 days of specialist tuition from Nicola Williams.
Equipment
All specialist equipment will be supplied but there will be a few essential items that you will need to bring. Please see our terms and detailed information section below.
Food & Accommodation
Full board catering and 5-nights accommodation are included when you book.
Transfers
Complimentary transfers are included when you book - subject to certain conditions.*
* Transfers from Stirling train station are available on the arrival and departure days (pick-up from the station at 15:30, departs Gartmore House at 9:15). Transfers from Glasgow or Edinburgh Airports are available at an additional cost.
Here's what a previous participant has to say about this course:
“I went on one of the weekend courses that Nicola runs, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. The class was small and friendly, and even though I was a complete beginner, I learnt enough in that weekend that I have just completed my first project by myself!”
Picture Gallery
tERMS & DETAILED INFORMATION
If you’re coming on one of our holidays and would like to bring a friend, partner, or member of your family, then we have you (and them!) covered. Accompanying guests will enjoy full board catering and shared accommodation with you. We also have a full programme of day trips and activities on offer for them. Please add them and day trips at the checkout stage.
How to book
To book online, please click on your preferred date above.
For any questions or to book direct please call 01877 382 991 or email mail@gartmorehouse.com
If you have any questions, you may like to take a look at our FAQs but if you have any further queries, please contact our team directly.
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF BOOKING
To confirm your holiday:
A non-refundable 25% deposit is required to secure your booking.
Payment of your holiday:
The balance of your payment must be received no later than 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement of your holiday. In the case of non-payment, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and any cancellation fees will apply.
If you cancel your booking:
All deposits are non-refundable. Should you need to cancel your booking up to 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement date, we will refund any monies paid, less your deposit. If you cancel less than 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement date, no refund will be given.
We do advise you to take out holiday insurance for this reason.
More Reviews...
This course was absolutely fantastic in giving you a very in depth introduction to upholstery and French polishing. The class was very small so everyone got time and attention to create beautiful pieces and everything was provided and all I had to take along was a piece of chosen fabric – this really took the pressure off getting organised for the course.
Previous Participant
Nicola is a great teacher, very patient and knowledgeable. My mum and I had a great time and will definitely be taking our learning further. Inspirational. Thanks!!
Previous Participant
Had such a fun (and educational!) weekend. Learned lots of new skills and so chuffed to come away with our projects. Nicola is a fantastic teacher and lovely person. Would thoroughly recommend it
Previous Participant
Please note: The above reviews come from past workshops and courses run by the tutor out with Gartmore House.
Your Course Tutor: Nicola Williams
Graduating from the City of Glasgow college in 2013, Nicola Williams, has been working for the past 7 years to develop her business, the Glasgow Furniture Collective, into full time self employment. The aim of Glasgow Furniture Collective is to provide quality and professional services whilst being involved in local community settings as a tutor and volunteer focusing on the idea of sustainability and repair, reuse & recycle in furniture.
Nicola works with Govanhill baths Rags to riches programme as a volunteer and tutor for their upholstery masterclasses. She has worked with the organisation teaching upholstery as part of a variety of schemes including working with vulnerable groups, asylum seekers, employability courses and many more.
This connection has led with further work with upcycling sessions with the programme as part of Zero waste Scotland’s ‘Pass it on week’. She also hosted her own classes as well as experience working with organisations such as The Re:Store, North Glasgow Art and regeneration network’s (NGART) winter coat, South Lanarkshire & East Dumbartonshire council. Currently she also works as an upholstery tutor for the Pollokshields Development agency woman’s group.
She has 9 years of previous experience working with the charity Sense Scotland, supporting people with disabilities and hopes to develop classes to work within an arts therapy setting in the future.
Faq
Where can I find out more about the course?
If you need any further information about your course that is not on our website, please get in contact with us and we can provide you with the tutor’s contact details who can assist with your query.
What do I need to bring on my art, craft and activity break?
Your required kit list for your specific break is shown on each course’s webpage. Your tutor will also be in contact with you, prior to your course to confirm kit lists and questions you have.
Should you have any queries, then please feel free to contact us.
What is the art, craft and activity holiday booking terms and conditions?
To confirm your holiday a non-refundable 25% deposit is required to secure your booking.
The balance of your payment must be received no later than 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement of your holiday. In the case of non-payment, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and any cancellation fees will apply.
All deposits are non-refundable. Should you need to cancel your booking up to 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement date, we will refund any monies paid, less your deposit. If you cancel less than 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement date, no refund will be given.
Holidays are subject to availability and subject to change. There is a minimum number of guests required to run each course. If a course is cancelled due to low numbers, you may transfer any monies paid to an alternative date or a full refund will be issued. We do advise you to take out holiday insurance for this reason.
What time do your transfer services for the art, craft & activity holidays operate?
We offer a complimentary transfer services to and from Stirling train station. Collection is at 3:30pm from the station on the day of arrival, and our drop-off service departs from Gartmore House at 9:15 am on day of departure.
The closest airports to us are Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. If you require a transfer to and/or from either airport, please select this option at the time of booking. Transfers to/from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are available at an additional cost. After booking your flights, please update your Customer Portal with the time you wish to be collected from the airport on the day of arrival and the time of collection at Gartmore House, returning to the airport, on the day of departure. Please allow 60 minutes for your transfer between Gartmore House and Glasgow Airport, or 90 minutes for your transfer between Gartmore House and Edinburgh Airport.
Can I bring a partner/friend to stay with me while I am on an art, craft or activity break?
If you’re coming on one of our art, craft or activity holidays and would like to bring a friend, partner, or member of your family, then we have you (and them!) covered. Accompanying guests will enjoy full board catering and shared accommodation with you. Please add them at the checkout stage.
Spots on this course are limited!
Book your spot now and join us at Gartmore House. We are confident it will deepen your understanding of upholstery.