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The Reader’s Bench.

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“Sign it. Somebody strips this seat in forty years and finds you.”— from the Drop-In Dining Seat chapter


Every workshop has a wall where the first pieces go up. This is ours — and it’s yours. If you’ve made your first drop-in seat from the Start Here path — or your fifth, or the stuffover you finally dared — send a photo and it goes on the bench for everyone to see. First seats especially: wonky pleats and all. Nobody’s first seat is perfect, and the wall is better for it.

On the bench

Put yours up

A photo, a first name, a town, and a line or two about the job if you like. Shaun looks at every submission before it appears — nothing goes up unchecked — and you’ll get an email when yours is on the bench.

Preview of your photo

One good shot of the finished piece — daylight, straight on. Large photos are resized in your browser before they’re sent.

House rules

Your own work, photographed by you. First name and town only ever appear — never your email. If you’d like a piece taken down later, get in touch and it goes. Full details in the privacy policy.


The book this came from

Every chapter, on the bench beside you.

This whole reference is free and always will be — but a screen is a poor thing in a dusty workshop. The Working Upholsterer’s Bible is the same 35 chapters and 72 figures in a wiro-bound A4 edition that lies flat on the bench and takes a thumbprint without complaint. Written by a working AMUSF-accredited upholsterer, thirty years in.

The four editions — from £9.99


From the workshop

Free upholstery tips by email

The occasional practical tip from the bench. No spam.