National Upholstery Association

Events for all NUA events are displayed in the calendar below. Members can view events not available to public.

If you are an Industry Partner, you can advertise up to 6 trade show appearances/events on the calendar each year. If you are an Educator member, you can advertise up to 12 classes on the calendar each year. To add events, contact us.

Upcoming events

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2-Day Tufting Fabric/Leather Workshop Castle Rock, CO March 29 & 30, 2025

Start
March 29, 2025

9:00 AM

End
March 30, 2025

5:00 PM

With Rhonda Shanahan

In this hands-on fabric and leather tufting upholstery workshop, you will learn specialty skills that will take your upholstery education to the next level. You will complete three 16” x 16” tufted leather or fabric sample boards using a variety of methods and techniques. The finished boards can be used as examples to show your clients, hung on the wall, or turned into footstools by adding feet.

In this 2-day class, you will complete the following sample boards:

1. Deep button tufting with a Vandyke join.

2. Biscuit tufting

3. Upholstered board with buttons.

The skills learned in this class can be used for upholstery projects, such as chairs, sofas, settees, ottomans, footstools, banquets, and headboards.

REGISTER HERE!

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Women In Textiles Summit

Start
March 31, 2025

End
April 02, 2025

Location
Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, NY

The goal of the summit is to strengthen the advancement of women in the textile industry through an interactive forum that provides education, networking and dialogue about important issues affecting women in business.

The 2024 Women in Textiles Summit took place February 12-14 in Phoenix, AZ. The Summit welcomed just under 100 attendees (48 of which were first-timers!). Emcees Jasmine Cox, Gaston College and Nichole Holroyd, Spiritus Systems led the 2-day event, which consisted of industry, professional and personal education, group discussions and lots of fun networking activities!

https://www.textiles.org/events/women-in-textiles-summit/women-registration/

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Leather Reupholstery Essentials: Choosing the Right Leather, Calculating Yardage, and Leveraging Supplier Services.

When
April 08, 2025

1:00 PM

Choosing the Right Leather – Gain insight into leather types and finishes to make informed decisions that balance durability, aesthetics, and budget.

Calculating Yardage – Learn how to accurately determine yardage requirements, including leather conversion, to maximize efficiency and minimize waste. Casper Hill members get exclusive access to our new Leather & Fabric Guide—packed with 60+ furniture styles, with their first hide purchase!

Leveraging Supplier Services – Explore how to take full advantage of supplier resources, from sampling to technical support, to streamline your projects.

With Rosemary Price of Casper Leather

Rosemary Price is the Executive Account Manager at Casper Hill Leather, a leading leather supplier to the Upholstery Trade. Casper Hill is committed to offering top-tier leather products. Rosemary plays a pivotal role in maintaining this commitment by delivering personalized service and building strong client relationships.

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3-Day Open Upholstery Workshop Castle Rock, CO April 12-14, 2025

Start
April 12, 2025

9:00 AM

End
April 14, 2025

5:00 PM

With Rhonda Shanahan

This class is great for students wanting to start or expand their upholstery skills. It is limited to 4 students for individual attention. You will be responsible for your project and all your supplies. I’ll have supplies at the workshop for purchase if needed. The piece must be approved before the class starts. You can bring your tools or use the tools I have in my workshop. I have several industrial sewing machines for students to use. I hope these workshops will help you move forward in your upholstery journey.

Day 1: Getting started on your project. Develop a plan for what you want to accomplish over the 3-day workshop. Take notes, so you have a reference when you get home. Become familiar with the workshop, tools, and industrial machines. Getting started on your project.

Day 2: Work on your project and continue to make progress.

Day 3: You’ve made good progress. You should be finishing up your piece today. Depending on your project, you may not complete your piece. We will discuss the plan at the end of class so you can finish your piece at home if you don’t get it done in class.

REGISTER HERE!

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Box Cushion Construction

When
May 13, 2025

1:00 PM

Learn techniques upholsterers and slipcover-makers use to create perfect box cushions in record time. Topics include welt cord, pattern matching, zipper insertion, and inserts for indoor and outdoor applications. Tips for long bench cushions and welt-edge throw pillows are also included.

With Jeanelle Dech

A life-long textile enthusiast, entrepreneur, and educator, Jeanelle Dech leads a team of twenty-two people as the president of Adaptive Textiles, an innovative textile printing company in West Chester, PA. She is the creative energy behind The Workroom Channel's METHOD SHARE, FLY ON THE WALL, and REAL WORKROOM series (www.TheWorkroomChannel.com), and is the founder of The Workroom Marketplace (www.WorkroomMarketplace.com) which offers a curated collection of drapery patterns and workroom efficiency tools to professional sewists around the world. She celebrates nearly four decades in the home décor industry with the launch of her latest venture, Klimaka Studios (www.klimakastudios.com), which provides a beautiful collection of fabrics and engineered designs for the profit and joy of workrooms.

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Natural Fibers for Upholstery

When
June 10, 2025

1:00 PM

With Karsten Siewert

Natural fibers are preferred for upholstery due to the following reasons:

Eco-Friendly: Natural fibers come from renewable resources that are biodegradable and sustainable.

Breathability and Comfort: Natural fibers are highly breathable and comfortable.

Durability and Longevity: Natural fibers are durable and long-lasting.

Hypoallergenic Properties: Some natural fibers are hypoallergenic.

Timeless Elegance and Versatility: Natural fibers offer a timeless and versatile look.

American-Dutch, born raised educated in the Netherlands, since 2001 in furniture & mattress industry in Europe since 2007 in furniture & mattress industry in North Carolina

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Furniture Manufacturing Expo

Start
June 11, 2025

End
June 12, 2025

Location
Hickory Metro Convention Center, Hickory, NC

Furniture Manufacturing Expo is the opportunity to take part in the only trade show in North America showcasing the largest gathering of suppliers and the latest solutions for manufacturers of furniture.

Over two days, attendees have the chance to engage with exhibiting suppliers and see first-hand the latest innovative products, equipment, and machinery as well as gain a better understanding of the services and new technology making a critical impact on warehousing, logistics, finance, and the bottom line. The show also features an engaging education program developed by show management with topic/speaker guidance from the show’s advisory board of industry leaders.

Gain a fresh industry perspective, generate new product ideas, develop new relationships, and enhance existing connections in the industry!

Registration Opens late January 2025!

Who Should Attend?

Professionals of all management levels involved in the manufacturing of furniture such as but not limited to:

Designers

Engineers

Executives

Machine Operators

Plant Managers

Procurement Officers

Purchasing Managers

Quality Control Managers

Research & Development Managers

Specifiers

Education Program

Developed by show management in conjunction with the show’s advisory board, the 2025 education program will focus on the latest innovations, technology, and techniques for the furniture manufacturing industry.

All sessions will be available to registered attendees at no additional charge.

Learn from industry professionals as they discuss the hottest topics in the furniture industry.

Who's Exhibiting?

Companies that produce, design, develop, and/or manufacture products and equipment, or offer services and solutions for the furniture manufacturing industry will be showcasing their latest products, services, machinery, and technologies for the furniture manufacturing industry.

Click here to see a full list of Exhibitors.

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3-Day Leather Upholstery Workshop, Castle Rock, CO June 21-23, 2025

Start
June 21, 2025

9:00 AM

End
June 23, 2025

5:00 PM

With Rhonda Shanahan

I will be teaching a 3-day leather workshop June 21-23, 2025. If you’ve been wanting to add leather to your upholstery skills this is the workshop for you. This class is limited to 3 students for individual attention.

Day 1: Intro to leather. This day will include how to measure your project to calculate your sq. ft. in leather. How to order your hides. What to do when they arrive. How to inspect the hides before you start your project. How to store your hides. Where to make your cuts. How to skive, stitch, and make buttons and welt. Coming up with a plan for your chair and planning your cuts on the hide.

Day 2: Getting started on your chair. Ways to attach the leather to the frame. What are the differences between fabric and leather? Start cutting leather and upholstering your chair. How and why to vent leather cushions and solid benches or seats.

Day 3: Continue working on your chair. How to make a leather zipper for a cushion. How to topstitch leather. What to know if you want to add a leather welt to your cushion? Wrap up your chair project. If time allows we’ll practice sewing and creating with leather scraps. Some projects may be pillows, poufs, and baskets.

REGISTER HERE!

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The Business of Upholstery Education: Turning Your Skills into a Teaching Program

When
July 08, 2025

1:00 PM

Panel Discussion with Kymm Clark, Lindsay Orwig, Nancy Sargent, Rhonda Shanahan, and Claire Wright.

Join us as they share their unique approaches to integrating upholstery education into their businesses.

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Tips and Tricks from the Professionals at PUN

When
September 09, 2025

1:00 PM

With Lindsay Orwig

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Custom Workroom Conference

Start
September 23, 2025

End
September 25, 2025

Location
Kingsport, TN

Why attend CWC?

If you are new to the workroom industry, or would like to learn more about starting your own workroom business.

If you are an experienced workroom owner looking for fellowship, fresh ideas and inspiration.

If you are looking for better and more efficient methods and equipment to improve production.

If you would like to meet your peers and suppliers in person, to put a face to a name and strengthen relationships.

If you would like help with pricing, marketing or setting business goals.

If you have never attended a workroom conference – it can be life changing!

https://www.customworkroomconference.com/

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RV Interiors

When
October 14, 2025

1:00 PM

With Diane Girty

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Advanced Textiles Expo 2025

Start
November 05, 2025

End
November 07, 2025

Location
Indianapolis, IN

CONNECT with over 4,500 textiles professionals.

DISCOVER the newest innovations in the marketplace.

SOURCE from over 300 exhibitors to drive your business forward.

Advanced Textiles Expo, formerly IFAI Expo, is organized by Advanced Textiles Association (ATA).

For a century, Advanced Textiles Expo has been the industrial fabrics industry’s flagship show. As the premier textiles event, Expo is the place where industry stakeholders and leaders CONNECT, DISCOVER, and SOURCE in order to grow their businesses.

https://advancedtextilesexpo.com

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Intermediate Spring Tying Techniques

When
November 11, 2025

1:00 PM

With Upholstery Education's Gareth Rees

In this webinar, Gareth will expand on an earlier discussion of spring dynamics, how they work, effective lashing methods for a range of furniture styles and methods for choosing the right gauges and heights.

Gareth Rees has been working as an upholsterer for over 27 years. He gained his training on the shop floor, working in various workshops in England and Wales and is versed in many aspects of furniture making from cabinet work to mattress making.

Gareth started his own company in 2004 and in this time has taken commissions and private work for high end interior design companies, bespoke furniture makers, private collectors, antique dealers, embassies and museums.

Here in the US, Gareth is the course writer and primary tutor for Upholstery Education, offering continuing education classes to upholstery professionals and aspiring individuals new to the trade. Back home in the United Kingdom, Gareth is a director and full time instructor at the British School of Upholstered Furniture in Oxfordshire, UK where he teaches the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers (AMUSF) Diploma program. He is also the lead tutor for the Advancements in Traditional Upholstery Diploma, run in association with the Guild of Traditional Upholsterers (GTU).

Past Chairman of the Guild of Traditional Upholsterers. Currently he sits as its vice chair and examination/journeyman secretary.

In March 2023 Gareth was awarded the Master Upholders certificate from the Worshipful Company of Upholders.

Although a full-time educator, Gareth still takes on commissions from select clients, predominantly focusing on the decorative arts from 1840-1950.

Gareth is eager to promote and celebrate the craft and trade of upholstery to a broader spectrum of people.

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French Mattress Techniques

When
December 09, 2025

1:00 PM

With Polly Waite

Check back for more information!

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