Upholsterer, author, teacher, researcher, consultant, podcaster … you name it, Vicky Grubb has turned her hand to it, and the craft is all the richer for her efforts. In August's issue, Furniture News asks Vicky about the podcast, why people upholster, and how they can learn from one another, no matter the size of their business …
Vicky’s journey into upholstery began in 2005 when “something just clicked” in a simple evening class. She went on to open her own studio, teach hundreds of students, launch multiple creative ventures, and write The Beginner’s Guide to Upholstery and the Teach Me Upholstery series.
Today, she runs The Upholstery Cabin, a training facility and base for “commissions, collaborations, and creative exploration”, and co-hosts the Sit on This! podcast with upholsterer Ray Clarke.
Vicky’s passion for “transforming furniture and helping others discover the joy of making with their hands” is contagious, and a career of making upholstery more accessible and fulfilling has won her a sizeable following.
“Whether I’m behind the mic, teaching a room full of beginners, or deep in the process of restoring a chair, everything I do is about keeping this beautiful, skilled craft alive and building a vibrant, supportive community around it,” she says …
What’s been keeping you busy this summer?
Summer is always a busy time at my workshop, The Upholstery Cabin, in Ringwood, Hampshire. Nestled on the edge of the New Forest and just a stone's throw from the coast, no two weeks are ever quite the same.
Alongside taking on upholstery commissions, I spend much of my time teaching the craft that I love. I like to bring a bit of structure to the week, with Mondays reserved for the less glamorous side of running a business – admin, planning and paperwork – before Monday evenings and Tuesdays through to Thursdays are dedicated to teaching students of all abilities in the workshop.
Beyond my own business, I also serve as a director of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers (AMUSF), a role that allows me to contribute to the wider industry through training, professional development and championing the future of the craft. It's a responsibility I care deeply about and one that keeps me closely connected to upholsterers across the UK.
Outside of the studio, I travel around the country visiting fellow upholsterers, workshops and industry leaders to record conversations for our podcast, Sit on This!, where we talk about everything from traditional techniques and modern methods to fabrics, furniture and the future of the trade.
This summer, however, there has been an added focus. In September, The Upholstery Cabin will welcome its first intake of students onto our AMUSF-accredited diploma courses. Much of the season has therefore been spent preparing the studio for this exciting new chapter – rethinking the space, refining systems and making sure everything is in place to give our new students the very best start to their upholstery journey.
Why did you launch the podcast?
Back in 2023, Ray Clarke and I had the idea of creating a space where the upholstery industry could talk openly about the realities of running a small business. We had both spent a similar amount of time in the trade and found ourselves asking many of the same questions, facing similar challenges and looking for reassurance that we weren't the only ones navigating them.
Ray had a sign hanging in his workshop that read ‘Sit on This!’, and we thought it made the perfect cheeky name for an upholstery podcast.
After recording our introductory episode no fewer than five times, we finally felt brave enough to put it out into the world. Since then, our aim has simply been to explore as many topics as possible that affect upholsterers across the UK. From practical techniques and business advice to mental health, training and industry debates, we want the podcast to spark conversations, share experiences and remind people in our trade that they're not doing it alone.
What sort of topics do you discuss?
The topics we cover are incredibly varied and often stem from our own experiences in the workshop. Ray and I regularly compare notes on how we each approach upholstery and chat about the differences we've noticed when speaking to upholsterers from different parts of the UK.
One of the things we try to reinforce is that there is rarely only one ‘right’ way to tackle a chair – the craft is full of problem-solving, and we can all learn from each other's methods and experiences.
We also aren't afraid to tackle some of the bigger issues affecting the industry. Recent discussions have included the consultation around fire retardants used in foam and fabrics, and what the implications could be for both upholsterers' health and the future of the trade.
Personally, I love speaking to upholsterers who have successfully scaled their businesses. I'm fascinated by what prompted them to take that leap, the challenges they faced, and the secrets behind making growth work in such a hands-on industry. Ray, meanwhile, is drawn to the personal stories – what first sparked someone's interest in upholstery and the journey that led them to the workshop bench.
We're both naturally curious about innovation too, particularly how emerging technologies might influence our craft in the years ahead. Ultimately, the podcast is about sharing knowledge, encouraging conversation and reminding upholsterers that, whether they're just starting out or have decades of experience, we're all still learning.
How do your own experiences at the bench inform your approach?
My own experience has been one of hard work, plenty of struggles and a flurry of successes along the way. Like many upholsterers, I've had moments of self-doubt, alongside the satisfaction that comes from creating something beautiful and solving problems that initially felt impossible.
I'm naturally quite optimistic and tend to believe that things have a way of working out. That mindset has helped me take opportunities, push myself out of my comfort zone and keep moving forwards, even when things haven't gone to plan.
I also build confidence by learning from others. One of the wonderful things about upholstery is that no matter how experienced you become, you never stop learning. There is always a new technique, a different approach or another upholsterer willing to share a piece of wisdom that makes you rethink how you work.
Read the rest of our interview with Vicky here.
