Get ready to strip down with...
The Chair Affair
Richmond, VA
Thurs-Sat, June 25-27
Join us for an exclusive 3-day class to reupholster your own French chair (or similar).
What Is The Chair Affair?
The Chair Affair is a 3-day class hosted by Unsprung University in Richmond, VA with educator Jonathan Bennett. During this workshop, a limited group 6 students will fully reupholster their own French Chair (or similar style) to learn skills such as webbing, spring tying, making welt (piping) and more. Students will work at their own pace with the expert guidance and individualized attention of Jonathan and his team.
You Will Learn How To
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Strip down and prevent damage.
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Plan for comfort and durability.
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Accurately measure for success.
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Think ahead to avoid errors.
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Work towards your vision.
First, A Word From Our Sponsor
The Chair Affair is proudly sponsored by our friends at Foam To Size!
Foam To Size, a wholesale foam seller, is small enough to give you the personal touch you deserve and large enough to meet any quantity of foam or upholstery supplies that you need. Their products range from upholstery foam to marine foam and lumbar bolsters.
Foam To Size now offers foam cutting and replacement and Dacron wrapping for individual cushions or sets!
What Makes The Chair Affair Different From Other Classes?
Instruction at your own pace, tailored to you.
Beginners and experts alike can receive individualized hands-on training, all while working at your own pace.
Learn more than just your own project.
Being in an exclusive class gives you the opportunity to shadow and learn from others' projects.
Consult with Jonathan before arriving.
Prior to meeting in person, have a one-on-one video call to plan the work and prepare for project success.
A fusion of fun, community, design, and DIY.
Together with Jonathan and the Unsprung team, this class is a chance to build more than just your project.
What Kind Of Chair Should I Bring?
We'll work with you to ensure your chair meets the needs of the workshop. In general, you should be looking for a French style chair or similar - these typically include a "tight seat" (no cushion), a back that has fabric on both the interior and exterior sides, and occasionally padded and upholstered arm "saddles". These chairs are the perfect blend of simplicity and the most useful skills you'll need to master early in your upholstery journey, including:
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Choosing appropriate fabric.
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Planning your yardage and cuts.
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"Tearing down" your chair to the frame.
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Applying webbing and tying off springs.
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Measuring and cutting foam and Dacron.
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Applying fabric and making relief cuts.
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Making and applying welt (piping).
Meet The Teacher
Jonathan Bennett
Jonathan Bennett is the owner of Unsprung Upholstery, and founder of Unsprung University. With experience spanning more than 25 years, Jonathan finds passion in unique design, as well as education and the process of learning. In 2021, the Window Coverings Association of America named Jonathan the recipient of the Jill Robson Memorial Scholarship, a program founded to promote education in the industry.
FAQs
How much is tuition? What's included?
Tuition for The Chair Affair is $1,295 - due in-full at the time of reserving your seat. This price includes:
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the cost of interior materials (foam, Dacron, jute webbing, springs, etc.)
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in-advance personalized instruction with Jonathan
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access to Unsprung Upholstery's workshop in the event you need a space to strip down your piece (dates and times for "stripper nights" to be announced)
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on-site individualized instruction during class
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the use of all tools and materials necessary for success
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your own personal work station fully equipped for your individual use
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daily coffee and light snacks
Tuition does not include:
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your lodging and main meals (breakfast, lunch , dinner)
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your exterior materials (fabric, finishes and trims)
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the "teardown kit" provided to you in advance.
The "teardown kit" is available as an additional purchase, to take home with you after class wraps.
Can I work on a different style chair?
We'll work with you to ensure the chair you choose fits the needs of the class, but the chair will need to be a French style or similar. It's important to work on a similar style project across students so you can practice with your own piece, but also learn from what others are doing at the same time.
I don't have a French chair, can Unsprung provide one?
Depending on the timing of your registration, we may be able to help you find a suitable chair. Call us before you register to learn more, 804-716-9652.
What do I need to do to prepare?
After purchasing your seat in the class, expect a follow-up introduction email from Jonathan. Three weeks before the class, Jonathan will be available to take video calls with you to review your piece, discus planning for success, and give additional personalized instruction on stripping down your piece. Prior to arriving for the class, your piece will need to be fully stripped down - if you are coming from out of town and need tools to work, we can send you a "teardown kit" in advance, which you'll then bring back with you. These kits are available for purchase to take home with you once the class is done.
What about fabrics and trims?
Unsprung Upholstery, the host of Unsprung University's "The Chair Affair", is a fully equipped shop including all standard trims and finishes. If you haven't yet selected a fabric, we encourage you to order through us at a discount of 20% off retail price. The fabric you choose will first need to be reviewed in-person by Unsprung University. If you are from out of town, this will look like having a sample delivered to our shop located at 4730 Wistar Road, 23228 no later than May 20th. If we have concerns about the fabric, we'll immediately work with you to make a recommendation for a fabric vendor and/or specific fabric we recommend in order to ensure the success of your project. Once approved, the final fabric will need to be delivered to the shop (4730 Wistar Road, 23228) no later than June 15th, or delivered to you and then brought in with your piece.
Who is Jonathan, and what's Unsprung Upholstery?
Jonathan Bennett is the owner of Unsprung Upholstery, a luxury residential upholstery workshop located in Richmond, VA and host to Unsprung University. The Unsprung Upholstery team is comprised of skilled individuals at the top of their craft, who collectively hold over 150 years of experience in the industry. Given this rich wealth of experience, Unsprung Upholstery is able to masterfully take on projects that range from residential reupholstery to more complex custom work. Unsprung Upholstery brings an artful eye, attention to detail, and superior craftsmanship to any project.
What is your cancellation/refund policy?
Please note that once you have purchased a ticket to an event with us it means that we have reserved space, time, and attention exclusively for you. SINGLE-DAY EVENTS: Cancellations less than 7 calendar days before the scheduled start date are nonrefundable. MULTI-DAY EVENTS: Cancellations less than 60 calendar days before the scheduled start date are nonrefundable. Cancellations more than 60 days before an event's scheduled start date will be refunded 50% minus any services fees incurred and add-ons that have been purchased. You may cancel by emailing us at learn@unsprung-u.com. In the event we need to cancel or postpone the event, we will provide as much notice as possible, and a full refund.
Can you suggest a hotel?
Our shop is located just 15 minutes outside of downtown Richmond, a thriving and vibrant small city with great food, art, and culture. If you choose to stay in the downtown area, please be aware the area empties out after working hours and on the weekend (these would include the larger hotels, such as the Omni, DoubleTree, and Marriott). If you want to stay in an area that's more like a local city neighborhood, highly walkable, and with easy access to restaurants, bars, and more -- try Googling hotels and inns in "The Fan" or "The Museum District". When in doubt, call us at the shop and we'll be happy to point you in the right direction! 804-716-9652