Reclaim the Tradition of Upholstery at

BROADWAY UPHOLSTERY SCHOOL

   Upholstery Class with Master Upholsterer, Kevin Kennedy, and Pamela Powell

Do you have a dog-eared or cat-scratched upholstered chair that needs new life? You will be amazed at the transformation you can create and how much fun the process can be!  You will learn from a master upholsterer who trained with European Masters. Classes cover old-school methods, including horsehair, and antique furniture is welcomed. We also cover modern methods and materials for 20th century and contemporary furniture. Learn to disassemble your piece, pad, cut and apply fabric, in a step-by-step apprentice approach.  If you'd prefer to drop off your piece and pick it up all done, we can make that magic happen too!

Meet our team...

Pamela Powell, did her first upholstering in 7th grade at Arlington Junior High East with Mr. Carey, when she built an upholstered footstool. She was one of the first girls in Arlington who was allowed to take 'Shop' as opposed to 'Home Ec.'  Pamela is a strong believer in experiential education and loves teaching. She grew up in Arlington from the age of 4, has worked as a deckhand, 1st mate, and captain on ferry boats in Boston Harbor and beyond, sailed in the Caribbean, working on charter yachts as cook and crew, taught seamanship for Outward Bound, in Maine, Maryland, Florida, Boston Harbor and Puget Sound, wrote, The Turtle Watchers, a children's novel that was published by Viking Press, taught English in Prague, Czechoslovakia, delivered mail as a postal carrier, taught writing to all ages, including as an author in schools all over the U.S. She has a B.A. from Goddard College, a MA degree in Education from UMASS Boston, and completed a three year training at The Synthesis Center in Amherst, MA. She has two fabulous children, Foster and Lydia, and her son, Foster, is helping her build this website.

Kevin Kennedy began training with European masters as a young lad of 17.  For 30 years, he has been an Upholsterer for countless Boston area designers and leading art restorers, including consulting with and heading the upholstery department at Trefler and Sons, in Newton, MA.  Commissioned to upholster Napoleon's chair, and guest writer to the Upholstery Journal. Kevin is also the author of a basic upholstery book, self-published and for sale in the shop. An expert in vocational rehabilitation through the art of upholstery, Kevin taught at Restoration Project in West Concord, MA and served on their board for many years. In addition, Kevin is an amateur historian, currently co-authoring a novel on the post-American revolution. He and his wife, Beth, and son, Patrick, plan to relocate soon to Arlington.

Bernice King has been making high end custom window treatments and slipcovers for over 20 years and is an experienced teacher as well. She has taught slipcover making at the annual Slipcover Summit, a national gathering of slipcover tradespeople, for the past 7 years.  Bernice will offer a 'Know your own sewing machine' class' as well as a chair and bench cushion class, and beginner and advanced slipcover making.  Future home decorating classes may include pillows, Roman shades, bedding and bed skirts, and window treatments.