Master Western Upholstery With The Rusted Roan

In-Person Upholstery Workshops and Retreats

Workshops for 2026:

Kentucky March - Registration is currently open to members and our waitlist. (Public registration will open soon if spots are still available.)

Idaho May - Registration is currently open to members and our waitlist. (Public registration will open soon if spots are still available.)

Texas - October 14th - 18th, 2026 at Round Top (this will be a full retreat with multiple workshops (leatherwork, upholstery,fine art) and additional evening classes- hosted by The Cowgirl Art Collective

Virginia City, Nevada - Western mining town experience, multiple dates through 2026, private lessons and workshops. Additional fly in and ship your chair home options. DATES COMING SOON

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

*Only one workshop can be selected per form submission. If you wish to register for another option you can resubmit again.

What you need to bring:

1-Day Bench Workshops

Once you register, you’ll receive a shopping list and material guide to help you prepare.

Participants bring their seat base, legs, and fabric/finishes.

Your bench frame should be pre-cut to size and ready to assemble and upholster when you arrive.

This helps us make the most of our day together and ensures you leave with a beautiful finished piece!

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Chair Workshops

For these workshops, you’ll bring your own chair that has been torn down, repaired, and refinished or painted before the workshop begins (unless it's a workshop where the frames are provided).

All tools and supplies are provided. Participants bring their padding, frame, fabric, and finishes.

After registering for a workshop, we will ask you to email us a clear photo of your chair frame so we can make sure it’s a great fit for the workshop timeframe.

This quick approval step helps confirm your piece can be completed during the workshop and ensures you have the best possible experience!

🪑 2-Day Workshops & Private Lessons

Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting one-on-one attention.
Private lessons and full beginner chair projects can be completed in just 2 days at our local studio or Virginia City, NV workshops. These are focused, personalized sessions designed to help you gain confidence and complete a beautiful finished piece in a short time.

💪 3-Day Workshops

Our 3-Day Workshops are like an upholstery marathon — fast-paced and focused entirely on your project. You’ll spend full days upholstering and learning techniques start to finish, surrounded by other makers who are just as motivated to get it done. It’s all about the work, creativity, and results.

🎨 4-Day Workshops/Retreats

Our 4-Day Workshops offer the same hands-on upholstery experience with a little more breathing room. You’ll enjoy shorter upholstering days, extra included activities (like a paint-and-sip class or photography mini-session), and plenty of time to connect, unwind, and make new friends.

Think of it as the same creative journey — just with more time to soak it all in.

Want to Bring That Old Piece Back to Life — or Start a Side Hustle Doing It?

You can — and I’ll show you how at our in-person Western Upholstery workshops and retreats.

Whether it’s your grandma’s chair, a flea-market find, or a bare frame you want to turn into a bold Western statement… you don’t need years of experience. You need the right hands-on guidance — and that’s exactly what you’ll get with me, in the room.

What you’ll learn (hands-on, step-by-step):

How to rebuild from the frame up: webbing, padding, tips for upholstering with leather and specialty fabrics, pattern-matching, and more
Working with leather, cowhide, fringe, and decorative nails
Design planning, material selection, and pro finishing details
(Optional at select retreats) Pricing and selling basics if you want to turn this into paid work

What’s included:

Small-group instruction so you get real feedback (not just watching a screen)
Tools & supplies on site (bring your piece or use a provided frame—varies by event)
Clear checklists and the digital workbook so you can repeat the process at home
Retreats often include lodging/meals so you can focus, and create (standard workshops do not include lodging/meals)

If you’ve spent hours pinning western-style chairs, this is where you stop scrolling and start building. You’ll head home with a finished piece and the confidence to do it again.

Imagine that chair sitting proudly in your home (or headed to a paying client) — not because someone else made it, but because you did.

And when someone asks, “Where did you get that?”
You get to say, “I made it.”

Spots are limited. Check dates and claim your seat.

Want to Know What to Expect at a Workshop or Retreat?

You work on your piece from minute one.
No stage demo, no sitting and watching. I coach you on your project—step by step—so the technique is on your frame, not a sample piece.

What we’ll tackle (on your chair):

Upholstering with leather, hair on hide or fabrics of your choice
Making precise relief cuts around posts for a clean, professional finish
Foundations, padding, upholstery, and final finishes

What’s included on site:

The digital version of the "Getting Started in Western Upholstery Workbook" with clear diagrams, tool lists, supplier contacts and upholstering instructions
Small-group format with 1:1 troubleshooting and guidance as you go
Reference materials you’ll take home so you can repeat the process with confidence

You’ll leave with a finished chair, a repeatable workflow, and the confidence to do it again—on your next piece or for a paying client.

Retreats often include lodging/meals so you can focus, create, and actually finish (while standard workshops do not)
Ready to dive in? Join the waitlist—seats are limited.