Upholsterer Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Upholsterer Resume examples

The resurgence of vintage furniture restoration has sparked a renaissance in the upholstery trade. What was once considered a dying craft has transformed into a thriving specialty, with custom upholstery services seeing a 17% growth since 2020. This revival comes as consumers increasingly reject mass-produced furnishings in favor of sustainable alternatives—whether breathing new life into family heirlooms or rescuing mid-century treasures from thrift stores. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have turned furniture flipping into viral content, with hashtags like #reupholstery generating millions of views from audiences fascinated by the before-and-after transformations.

Today's upholsterers blend traditional craftsmanship with modern sensibilities. The most successful practitioners aren't just skilled with fabric and frames—they're problem-solvers who can adapt centuries-old techniques to contemporary materials and styles. While traditional apprenticeships have become scarce, specialized training programs are emerging to fill the knowledge gap. For those with an eye for design, manual dexterity, and patience for detail work, upholstery offers a career path that won't be replaced by automation anytime soon.

Junior Upholsterer Resume Example

Evelyn Martinez

Portland, OR | (503) 555-8127 | e.martinez84@email.com | linkedin.com/in/evelynmartinez

Entry-level upholsterer with hands-on experience in furniture restoration and upholstery techniques. Completed professional training with solid knowledge of fabric selection, pattern matching and traditional/modern upholstery methods. Known for precise craftsmanship and attention to detail in both residential and commercial settings. Seeking to grow my skills in a professional upholstery workshop.

EXPERIENCE

Apprentice Upholsterer – Vintage Revival Furniture, Portland, OR

January 2022 – Present

  • Assist lead upholsterer with removing old fabric, padding and springs from furniture pieces
  • Cut and sew fabric for simple furniture pieces, reducing material waste by 17%
  • Handle basic upholstery projects independently, including dining chairs, small ottomans and bench seats
  • Maintain inventory of supplies and place orders when stock falls below set thresholds
  • Communicate with customers about fabric options and project timelines

Upholstery Workshop Assistant – Portland Community College, Portland, OR

September 2021 – December 2021

  • Provided support during weekend upholstery workshops for 12-15 participants
  • Prepared workstations with appropriate tools and materials for each class
  • Demonstrated basic techniques to new students under instructor supervision
  • Photographed before/after projects for program marketing materials

Sales Associate – Marshall’s Fabric Store, Portland, OR

June 2020 – August 2021

  • Advised customers on fabric selections for various upholstery projects
  • Calculated yardage requirements based on furniture dimensions
  • Gained comprehensive knowledge of upholstery fabrics, including durability ratings and care requirements
  • Created in-store displays showcasing upholstery fabric applications

EDUCATION

Certificate in Furniture Upholstery – Portland Community College

Completed December 2021

  • 300+ hours of hands-on training in traditional and modern upholstery techniques
  • Final project: Complete restoration of vintage wingback chair (received Excellence Award)

Introduction to Sewing and Textiles – Fabric Arts Workshop

Completed May 2020

SKILLS

  • Traditional upholstery methods
  • Fabric pattern matching
  • Industrial sewing machines
  • Hand-stitching techniques
  • Furniture frame repair (basic)
  • Material estimation
  • Pneumatic staple guns
  • Customer consultation
  • Spring tying (beginner level)
  • Foam cutting and shaping

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Portfolio: instagram.com/evelyn_upholstery

Own basic set of professional upholstery tools

Volunteer: Restored lobby seating for Laurelhurst Community Theater (Spring 2022)

Mid-level Upholsterer Resume Example

Jason Martinez

Portland, OR 97205 | (503) 729-8461 | jasonmartinez@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jasonmartinez-upholstery

Detail-oriented upholsterer with 5+ years crafting high-quality furniture pieces and custom upholstery. Skilled in both traditional and modern techniques with expertise in fabric selection, pattern matching, and precision cutting. Known for exceeding client expectations with meticulous attention to detail and exceptional craftsmanship. Comfortable working with a wide range of materials from leather and vinyl to specialty fabrics.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Upholsterer | Cascade Custom Furniture | Portland, OR | March 2021 – Present

  • Lead upholstery projects for high-end custom furniture pieces, managing timeline and material requirements for 6-8 concurrent projects
  • Trained and mentored 3 junior upholsterers in advanced techniques including channel tufting and leather work
  • Reduced material waste by 17% through improved pattern layout techniques and fabric cutting optimizations
  • Collaborated with designers to create custom pieces for commercial clients, including a 24-piece restaurant seating project
  • Developed a standardized quality inspection process that decreased client returns by 22%

Upholsterer | Portland Furniture Restoration | Portland, OR | June 2018 – February 2021

  • Restored and reupholstered vintage and antique furniture pieces, maintaining period-appropriate techniques
  • Consulted with clients on fabric selection and design choices for 12-15 projects monthly
  • Handled complex repairs including spring replacement, frame reconstruction, and foam reshaping
  • Created detailed documentation of restoration processes for historically significant pieces
  • Managed workshop supplies and placed weekly material orders, keeping inventory costs under budget by $1,200 quarterly

Upholstery Apprentice | Barker’s Custom Interiors | Eugene, OR | August 2017 – May 2018

  • Assisted lead upholsterer with furniture stripping, pattern making, and basic upholstery techniques
  • Developed skills in measuring, cutting, and sewing various fabric types
  • Maintained workshop organization and prepared materials for upcoming projects
  • Helped with customer service and order processing during busy periods

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Certificate in Furniture Upholstery | Oregon Craft Institute | Portland, OR | 2017

Associate of Applied Science, Furniture Design | Lane Community College | Eugene, OR | 2016

Certification in Advanced Leather Working | American Upholstery Association | 2019

SKILLS

  • Traditional & modern upholstery techniques
  • Pattern matching & fabric cutting
  • Spring tying & webbing installation
  • Leather, vinyl & specialty fabric handling
  • Foam shaping & cushion construction
  • Sewing machine operation & maintenance
  • Furniture frame repair & reinforcement
  • Client consultation & project estimation
  • Material sourcing & vendor relationships
  • AutoCAD (basic) & digital pattern creation

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Portfolio website: jasonmartinezupholstery.com
Workshop: Proficient with pneumatic staplers, electric scissors, button machines, and specialized upholstery tools
Languages: English (native), Spanish (conversational)

Senior / Experienced Upholsterer Resume Example

Vincent Ramirez

Chicago, IL • (312) 555-8427 • v.ramirez.upholstery@gmail.com • linkedin.com/in/vincentramirez

Upholstery artisan with 11+ years crafting high-quality furniture restoration and custom pieces. Blend traditional techniques with modern materials to deliver premium results for both residential and commercial clients. Known for exceptional attention to detail, material selection expertise, and ability to match period-specific styles. Looking to bring my craftsmanship to a design-focused furniture studio.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Lead Upholsterer | Artisan Home Furnishings | Chicago, IL | 2018-Present

  • Manage all aspects of upholstery production in a 3,800 sq ft workshop, overseeing 4 junior craftspeople
  • Execute 35+ high-end residential and commercial projects annually, maintaining 97% client satisfaction rating
  • Developed pricing structure that increased department profitability by 23% while maintaining quality standards
  • Collaborate with interior designers to create custom furniture pieces for boutique hotels and luxury residences
  • Introduced eco-friendly material options that reduced waste by 31% and attracted environmentally-conscious clientele

Furniture Restorer – Upholstery Specialist | Heritage Restoration Co. | Milwaukee, WI | 2015-2018

  • Restored antique and vintage furniture pieces (1880s-1970s) with period-appropriate materials and techniques
  • Created detailed documentation of restoration processes for insurance and authentication purposes
  • Cut restoration time by 17% by implementing improved workflow system without sacrificing quality
  • Handled delicate fabrics including silk, velvet, and leather for high-value items (often $5K-30K pieces)

Upholstery Technician | Classic Auto Interiors | Chicago, IL | 2012-2015

  • Specialized in vintage automobile interior restoration for collector cars and classic vehicles
  • Matched and recreated original patterns and materials for historically accurate restorations
  • Built relationships with specialty material suppliers to source discontinued fabrics and leathers
  • Completed intensive training in period-specific automobile upholstery techniques (1940s-1970s)

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION

Associate Degree in Furniture Design & Construction
College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL | 2011

Professional Upholstery Certification
Chicago School of Upholstery | 2012

Advanced Leather Working Certification
Leather Crafters Guild | 2016

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Material expertise: natural and synthetic fabrics, leather, vinyl, foam, batting, webbing
  • Hand-sewing techniques: slip stitch, blind stitch, back stitch, whip stitch
  • Equipment: industrial sewing machines, pneumatic staplers, button makers, foam cutters
  • Pattern development and template creation
  • Fabric measurement and calculation
  • Frame repair and reinforcement
  • Spring tying (8-way hand-tied specialist)
  • CAD software for furniture design (basic)
  • Period-specific furniture knowledge (17th-21st century)
  • Material sourcing and vendor management

SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE

  • Custom tufting (diamond, biscuit, and channel)
  • Antique restoration techniques
  • Commercial upholstery codes and fire regulations
  • Sustainable/green upholstery practices

How to Write an Upholsterer Resume

Introduction

Breaking into the upholstery field (or moving up within it) requires more than just skilled hands—you need a resume that showcases your craftsmanship on paper. I've helped dozens of upholsterers land jobs with furniture manufacturers, custom shops, and restoration companies over my 15+ years as a resume writer. The right resume doesn't just list your experience; it demonstrates your precision, attention to detail, and technical knowledge—the same qualities that make you excellent at your craft.

Resume Structure and Format

First things first: your resume should be as clean and well-structured as your upholstery work. Keep it to one page unless you have 10+ years of experience spanning multiple employers. For format:

  • Use a clean, professional font (Calibri, Arial, or Georgia work well)
  • Keep margins between 0.5-1 inch on all sides
  • Include clear section headings (bold or slightly larger font)
  • Use consistent spacing throughout
  • Incorporate some white space—don't cram everything together!

For upholsterers, I recommend a chronological format that highlights your

hands-on experience. If you're changing careers or have gaps, a combination format works better by emphasizing your transferable skills first.

Pro tip: Many upholsterers forget to mention their physical capabilities on their resume. Don't be shy about noting that you can "safely lift and maneuver furniture pieces up to 75 pounds" if that's part of the job requirements.

Profile/Summary Section

Your summary should be 3-4 lines that quickly establish your experience level, specialization, and key strengths. For example:

"Detailed-oriented upholsterer with 6 years of experience in high-end residential furniture restoration. Skilled in pattern-matching complex fabrics and working with leather, velvet, and specialty textiles. Known for precise workmanship and ability to meet tight production deadlines while maintaining quality standards."

Professional Experience

This is where your resume will shine or fall flat. For each position, include:

  • Company name, location, and dates employed
  • Your specific title (Senior Upholsterer, Apprentice, etc.)
  • 4-6 bullet points highlighting concrete achievements

Focus on specifics rather than duties. Compare these examples:

Weak: "Responsible for reupholstering furniture."

Strong: "Reupholstered 8-12 pieces weekly, including antique chairs, sectionals, and custom headboards, with a 97% first-time quality pass rate."

Include numbers whenever possible—pieces completed per week, customer satisfaction ratings, waste reduction percentages. If you've worked with specialty materials or techniques (like horsehair stuffing, French seaming, or blind tacking), definitely highlight those!

Skills Section

Create a dedicated skills section listing both hard and soft skills. Include:

  • Technical skills: Sewing, cutting, pattern-making, foam cutting, spring tying
  • Materials expertise: Leather, velvet, microfiber, vinyl, specialty fabrics
  • Tools: Industrial sewing machines (list specific brands you've used), pneumatic staplers, foam cutters
  • Soft skills: Attention to detail, color matching, client consultation

Education and Certifications

List formal education, apprenticeships, and any relevant certifications. For upholsterers, hands-on training often matters more than degrees. If you completed an apprenticeship under a master upholsterer, that's worth highlighting prominently!

If you've taken specialized courses (like automotive upholstery or antique restoration), list those with dates and the institution/mentor. Don't forget industry certifications from organizations like the Association of Master Upholsterers.

Keywords for ATS Success

Many larger companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. Include these industry-specific terms to get past these digital gatekeepers:

  • Upholstery techniques: Channel back, tufting, pleating, quilting, welting
  • Materials: Fabric types, foam densities, batting, webbing
  • Tools: Pneumatic stapler, button machine, spring clamps, electric scissors
  • Furniture styles: Contemporary, Victorian, Mid-century modern

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Being too vague about your technical skills (what EXACTLY can you do?)
  • Failing to mention specialty materials or techniques you've mastered
  • Overlooking safety training or certifications
  • Not including photos of your work (many upholsterers now include a link to a portfolio)
  • Focusing only on tasks rather than results and quality measures

The upholstery field values precision and craftsmanship—your resume should reflect those same qualities. Good luck, and may your job search be as smooth as your seams!

Soft skills for your Upholsterer resume

  • Client communication – explaining fabric choices, setting realistic timelines, and managing expectations when obstacles arise
  • Attention to detail while maintaining efficiency (balancing perfectionism with practical time constraints)
  • Adaptability when working with unusual materials or client-supplied fabrics that present unexpected challenges
  • Budget management and project estimation skills that build trust with both shops and customers
  • Mentoring junior staff through complex techniques without micromanaging their work
  • Spatial reasoning and creative problem-solving, especially when repairing antique or custom pieces

Hard skills for your Upholsterer resume

  • Framework & Spring Construction (Sinuous, Eight-Way Hand-Tied)
  • Pattern Making & Material Cutting using Handi Quilter templates
  • Commercial Sewing Machine Operation (Juki DDL-8700, Consew 206RB-5)
  • Fabric Matching & Alignment for Complex Patterns
  • Furniture Disassembly/Reassembly (antique and modern)
  • DesignPro 5.0 software for digital pattern creation
  • Pneumatic Stapling & Tacking Techniques
  • Leather Conditioning & Repair (including pigment touch-up)
  • Foam Density Analysis & Selection (2.8 PCF to 4.5 PCF)