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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Upholstery Assistant

💰 $ - $

ManufacturingSkilled TradesFurnitureRestorationTextiles

🎯 Role Definition

The Upholstery Assistant supports upholsterers and restoration specialists by preparing materials, removing and installing fabrics and foam, operating basic upholstery machinery, and ensuring workshop efficiency and quality. This position is ideal for candidates building hands-on experience in furniture restoration, commercial and residential upholstery, and industrial sewing. The Upholstery Assistant reports to a Senior Upholsterer or Shop Supervisor and works closely with production, shipping, and customer service teams.

Primary SEO / LLM keywords: upholstery assistant, upholsterer, furniture restoration, fabric cutting, foam replacement, industrial sewing, tufting, staple gun, webbing, pattern cutting, leather repair.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Upholstery Apprentice / Trainee
  • Sewing Machine Operator / Textile Operator
  • General Furniture Technician / Woodshop Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Upholsterer / Journeyman Upholsterer
  • Restoration Specialist / Furniture Conservator
  • Shop Supervisor / Production Lead
  • Custom Upholstery Designer

Lateral Moves:

  • Automotive Upholstery Technician
  • Marine/Boat Upholsterer
  • Textile Cutter / Pattern Maker

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist with disassembly and stripping of furniture pieces: carefully remove old fabric, foam, staples, tacks, webbing, and springs while documenting the condition of frames and hardware for the lead upholsterer.
  • Measure furniture components and calculate required fabric, foam, batting, trim, and hardware quantities using standard takeoff techniques and company yield tables to support accurate job costing.
  • Cut and mark fabrics, leather, vinyl, and foam to pattern specifications using straight knives, band knives, hot knives, and manual cutters while minimizing material waste and respecting grain and nap directions.
  • Operate industrial sewing machines (walking foot, cylinder arm, post bed) for seam sewing, piping, welt, and basic top-stitch tasks under supervision, ensuring consistent seam allowance and stitch quality.
  • Prepare and install foam, batting, and cushioning systems: shape foam with electric or manual cutters, laminate layers, and adhere materials using appropriate adhesives and contact cement techniques.
  • Fit and attach new upholstery materials to frames using pneumatic staple guns, tack hammers, hog ring pliers, and upholstery tacks, ensuring even tension, straight lines, and wrinkle-free surfaces.
  • Re-web seats and repair or replace springs and spring systems (coil, serpentine) including installation of burlap, muslin, and dust covers where required.
  • Perform basic frame repair and reinforcement tasks: tighten joints, add corner blocks, re-glue connections, and prepare surfaces for reupholstery following conservation or production standards.
  • Execute finishing techniques such as tufting, buttoning, welt application, piping installation, and trim attachment to deliver polished, market-ready furniture.
  • Conduct quality inspections of assembled items, check dimensions, seam integrity, aesthetic alignment, and recommend corrective actions before final approval by the lead upholsterer.
  • Label, fold, and package completed pieces for customer delivery or warehouse staging, ensuring protective wrapping and accurate work order documentation.
  • Maintain detailed job records, material usage logs, and simple cost-tracking notes for each unit to support production reporting and invoicing.
  • Follow production schedules and prioritization from the shop supervisor, adapt to shifting deadlines, and support multiple work orders in batch production environments.
  • Assist with on-site pickup/delivery staging and light installations: secure items for transport, perform minor field touch-ups, and communicate condition changes to customers and the office team.
  • Apply leather care and repair basics: clean, recondition, and perform small patch or dye work under direction for leather seating and trim.
  • Troubleshoot common issues such as fabric bunching, poor staple hold, misaligned patterns, and foam compression problems; escalate complex issues to senior staff with clear diagnostic notes.
  • Use hand and power tools safely and maintain tool calibration and basic housekeeping for cutting tables, sewing machines, and pneumatic equipment.
  • Execute safe handling and disposal of old foam, adhesives, and other potentially hazardous materials in accordance with environmental and company policies.
  • Support material and inventory management: receive shipments, verify fabric rolls and trims, rotate stock, and notify purchasing of low-stock items or defects.
  • Participate in continuous improvement: suggest layout, tooling, or process adjustments to increase throughput, reduce waste, and improve finish quality.
  • Provide occasional customer-facing support: measure on-site, record client preferences, and explain basic maintenance and warranty information under the guidance of a lead.
  • Train and mentor junior assistants or apprentices in foundational tasks, safe machine operation, and shop etiquette as assigned by supervisors.
  • Support special projects including custom builds, prototype development, and sample creation by preparing materials and executing trial assemblies.

Secondary Functions

  • Keep the workshop clean, organized, and compliant with safety standards — sweep work areas, empty waste containers, and maintain machine lubrication schedules.
  • Prepare cut lists, material tags, and sample swatches for client approval or for ordering by purchasing staff.
  • Assist in simple pattern drafting and modification from templates under the direction of a pattern maker or senior upholsterer.
  • Help coordinate with out-sourced vendors (foam cutters, trim suppliers, embroidery shops) and track turnaround against production timelines.
  • Contribute to digital job tracking by updating work order statuses, uploading photos of progress, and logging completion notes into the shop management system.
  • Participate in periodic inventory counts and report fabric/trim discrepancies, damage, or obsolescence to inventory control.
  • Attend toolbox talks, safety trainings, and skill development sessions; maintain PPE and follow ergonomic best practices to reduce workplace injuries.
  • Support marketing and sales by preparing high-quality sample photos and assisting at open house or showroom events when needed.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Fabric and leather measuring, cutting, and layout with strong material yield awareness.
  • Industrial sewing machine operation (walking foot, cylinder arm) and basic machine maintenance.
  • Foam cutting, shaping, laminating, and adhesive bonding techniques.
  • Use of pneumatic staplers, tack hammers, hog ring pliers, and upholstery-specific hand tools.
  • Webbing, spring repair/replacement, and seat suspension systems knowledge.
  • Pattern reading and basic pattern modification for upholstery templates.
  • Knowledge of upholstery trims, piping, welt, fringe, and decorative finishing methods.
  • Basic leather repair, conditioning, and color matching techniques.
  • Safe handling and disposal of adhesives, solvents, and upholstery waste; understanding of VOC and environmental considerations.
  • Proficiency with shop software or digital job tracking tools for logging work orders and materials.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and a visible commitment to high-quality finishes.
  • Manual dexterity and steadiness for detailed handiwork and repetitive tasks.
  • Time management and the ability to prioritize tasks in a production environment.
  • Clear communication skills for interacting with lead upholsterers, team members, and occasional customers.
  • Problem-solving mindset to identify and escalate material or fit issues quickly.
  • Team orientation and willingness to help across stations during peak workloads.
  • Reliability, punctuality, and strong work ethic in a physically demanding setting.
  • Adaptability to handle custom projects, changing materials, and unique client requests.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent; completion of basic vocational training is acceptable.

Preferred Education:

  • Certificate or diploma from a technical school in upholstery, textiles, furniture restoration, or garment technology.
  • Apprenticeship completion or accredited upholstery training program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Furniture Design / Restoration
  • Textiles / Textile Technology
  • Industrial Sewing / Garment Construction
  • Carpentry / Woodworking

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–2 years (entry-level assistant) up to 3+ years for experienced assistants supporting complex restorations.

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years working in a furniture shop, upholstery shop, or related production environment.
  • Demonstrable experience with industrial sewing, foam shaping, and staple/tack fastening on real projects.

Keywords (for SEO & AI): Upholstery Assistant, upholsterer, furniture upholstery, fabric cutting, industrial sewing, foam replacement, tufting, webbing, staple gun, leather repair, furniture restoration, pattern cutting, upholstery tools.

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