Leather Upholstery with Period Stitching Course
Online 300-hour course in leather upholstery with period stitching. 6 modules with ISO 3795 (fire behaviour of vehicle interior materials), ISO 17075-1 (determination of chromium VI in leather) and Gerber AccuMark. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Recognise the types of leather and tanning methods used in classic automotive upholstery.
Dismantle interiors and obtain patterns faithful to the originals.
Execute period stitching such as piping, pleating and French seams.
Rebuild the structure, springs and padding of seats.
Upholster panels, headliners and trim using traditional techniques.
Select leathers that meet safety and durability requirements.
Develop a complete period upholstery project.
Who it's for
- Leather upholsterer for classic cars who wants to specialise in Leather Upholstery with Period Stitching.
- Upholstery pattern maker who wants to specialise in Leather Upholstery with Period Stitching.
- Restorer of period interiors who wants to specialise in Leather Upholstery with Period Stitching.
- Decorative stitching specialist who wants to specialise in Leather Upholstery with Period Stitching.
- Supplier of bespoke upholstery who wants to specialise in Leather Upholstery with Period Stitching.
- Upholstery workshop manager who wants to specialise in Leather Upholstery with Period Stitching.
- Graduates in engineering or science looking to enter automotive upholstery.
What you'll work with
- ISO 3795 (fire behaviour of vehicle interior materials)
- ISO 17075-1 (determination of chromium VI in leather)
- ISO 17234-1 (azo colourants in leather)
- ISO 11640 (colour fastness of leather to rubbing)
- ISO 5402-1 (flex resistance of leather)
- Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH, Annex XVII)
- FMVSS 302 (flammability of interior materials)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1History of automotive upholstery1.2Vegetable tanning versus chrome tanning1.3Full grain, corrected grain and suede1.4Historical suppliers of automotive leather1.5Thickness, handle and stretch behaviour1.6Natural defects and hide utilisation1.7Period vinyls and imitation leathers1.8Documentation of original interiors1.9Colours and finishes by make and year1.10Practice: identification of leather samples
2.1Orderly disassembly of seats and panels2.2Photography and recording of stitching2.3Dismantling original upholstery as a pattern2.4Pattern making on card and acetate2.5Seam allowances and tolerances2.6Layout of pieces on the hide2.7Cutting with knife and scissors2.8Skiving edges and joins2.9Marking notches and references2.10Workshop: pattern for a pleated backrest
3.1Triple-feed and post-bed machines3.2Linen, cotton and polyester threads3.3French seam and double topstitching3.4Pleats, quilting and channelling3.5Welts and edges with cord3.6Hand sewing with needle and awl3.7Stitches per inch by period3.8Thread tension and needle selection3.9Finishing and visible edges3.10Practice: sampler of historical stitching
4.1Period frames and springs4.2Horsehair, coir fibre and hessian4.3Modern foams with equivalent shape4.4Elastic webbing and zigzag springs4.5Rebuilding volumes and profiles4.6Fixing with staples, nails and wire4.7Upholstering headrests and armrests4.8Discreet integrated heating4.9Material flammability: FMVSS 3024.10Workshop: rebuilding a bench seat
5.1Door panels and map pockets5.2Stretched and bowed headliners5.3Carpets with leather binding5.4Covered dashboards and glove boxes5.5Dyeing, recolouring and touch-up5.6Leather nourishment and protection5.7Controlled ageing of the finish5.8Integration with conserved original parts5.9FIVA authenticity criteria5.10Case study: interior of a concours car
6.1Historical research of the model6.2Selection and purchase of hides6.3Pattern making and cutting6.4Stitch construction6.5Assembly onto the structure6.6Finishing and dimensional control6.7Comparison with original documentation6.8Technical data sheet for the owner6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Gerber AccuMark, Adobe Illustrator, Lectra Kaledo, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real seat pattern-making procedures based on originals, a stitching workshop with a double topstitch machine, and leather finishing and dyeing. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Recognise the types of leather and tanning methods used in classic automotive upholstery.
Dismantle interiors and obtain patterns faithful to the originals.
Execute period stitching such as piping, pleating and French seams.
Rebuild the structure, springs and padding of seats.
Upholster panels, headliners and trim using traditional techniques.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with Gerber AccuMark, Adobe Illustrator, Lectra Kaledo and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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