MASTER UPHOLSTERER
Company: Artisan Interiors Upholstery & Design
Location: Sacramento, California
Employment Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation: Competitive hourly wage based on demonstrated experience, craftsmanship, and production capability.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday | 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM | Occasional overtime and weekend work as needed
Work Location: In Person
About Artisan Interiors Upholstery & Design
Artisan Interiors Upholstery & Design is a high-end, craftsmanship-driven company specializing in custom interior furnishings, luxury furniture reupholstery, custom upholstered furniture, restoration, and interior-focused design services. We serve discerning residential, commercial, and trade clients who value quality, longevity, craftsmanship, and professionalism over mass production.
Unlike traditional upholstery shops, Artisan combines exceptional craftsmanship with one of Northern California's largest designer fabric showrooms, modern operational systems, and an unwavering commitment to quality. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional workmanship, outstanding customer service, and some of the fastest lead times in the region.
The company currently operates through four primary divisions:
- Artisan Upholstery – Luxury furniture reupholstery, restoration, repairs, and custom upholstery
- Artisan Bespoke Furniture – Heirloom-quality custom upholstered furniture and headboards
- Artisan Drapery & Shade – Custom draperies, shades, valances, and architectural window treatments
- Interior Design – Residential and commercial interior design services
This is not a production-line manufacturing environment.
Every project is different. Every piece requires craftsmanship, judgment, creativity, and attention to detail.
Position Summary
The Master Upholsterer is responsible for independently restoring, rebuilding, fabricating, sewing, and upholstering high-quality furniture while maintaining Artisan Interiors' standards for craftsmanship, production efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
This is a senior-level position requiring mastery of both traditional and modern upholstery techniques. The successful candidate is capable of completing complex furniture projects with minimal supervision while maintaining exceptional workmanship, efficiency, and professionalism.
The Master Upholsterer is expected to perform all aspects of upholstery, industrial sewing, furniture restoration, and related production tasks at an expert level while contributing to a collaborative, professional, and solution-oriented work environment.
Primary ResponsibilitiesFurniture Restoration & Construction
- Photograph furniture before, during, and after production
- Completely strip existing upholstery
- Determine appropriate upholstery methods and material requirements
- Repair loose joints, broken frames, arms, rails, legs, and structural components
- Re-glue and reinforce furniture frames
- Assemble furniture frames as required
- Build complete internal upholstery systems
- Install burlap, webbing, edge roll, cotton batting, Dacron, foam, and other padding materials
- Rebuild furniture using traditional and modern upholstery techniques
Upholstery Fabrication & Sewing
- Measure furniture accurately
- Calculate upholstery material requirements
- Pattern, cut, and prepare upholstery materials
- Work with fabric, leather, vinyl, microfiber, velvet, linen, cotton, hair-on-hide, and specialty textiles
- Operate industrial sewing machines
- Operate industrial serging machines
- Pattern and sew solid fabrics
- Pattern and precisely match large-repeat fabrics
- Sew skirts, cushion covers, bench cushions, welt cord, slipcovers, and specialty upholstery components
- Perform single and double top stitching
- Replace foam inserts
- Build and refill cushions using foam, polyester fiber, and down
Advanced Upholstery Skills
The Master Upholsterer must be capable of independently performing:
- Traditional eight-way hand-tied spring systems
- Sinuous spring installation
- Webbing installation
- Foam fabrication
- Decorative trim installation
- Single welt
- Double welt
- Decorative nail application
- Button tufting
- Diamond tufting
- Channel backs
- Pattern-matched upholstery
- Upholstered skirts
- Luxury upholstered beds and headboards
- Complex custom upholstery projects
Shop Operations
- Maintain organized workstations
- Maintain shop cleanliness and organization
- Assist with production workflow
- Support quality-control efforts
- Perform furniture touch-up and polishing as needed
- Assist with loading, deliveries, installations, and warehouse operations when necessary
- Maintain upholstery tools and equipment
- Perform other production-related duties assigned by management
Required Experience
Applicants must possess extensive professional experience in both furniture upholstery and industrial upholstery sewing.
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum ten (10) years of professional furniture upholstery experience
- Minimum ten (10) years of professional industrial upholstery sewing experience
- Demonstrated mastery of traditional and modern upholstery techniques
- Ability to independently complete complex upholstery projects from teardown through final installation
- Expert knowledge of furniture construction, frame repair, spring systems, cushion construction, pattern making, foam fabrication, and industrial upholstery sewing
- Ability to inspect furniture construction, determine appropriate repair methods, and execute repairs independently
Applicants who possess upholstery experience but do not also possess expert-level industrial sewing experience will not be considered for this position.
Required Skills
- Expert industrial sewing abilities
- Expert pattern matching
- Strong understanding of furniture construction
- Traditional upholstery knowledge
- Modern upholstery methods
- Frame repair experience
- Cushion construction
- Foam fabrication
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent problem-solving ability
- Ability to work independently
- Strong time management
- Professional communication skills
Practical Skills Assessment
Applicants selected for further consideration may be invited to participate in a paid practical skills assessment and working interview.
The purpose of the assessment is to verify that the applicant possesses the level of craftsmanship, efficiency, and technical ability required for the Master Upholsterer position.
The assessment may include demonstration of skills such as:
- Furniture teardown
- Frame inspection and repair
- Pattern making
- Pattern matching
- Fabric cutting
- Industrial sewing
- Cushion fabrication
- Foam cutting and shaping
- Welt cord fabrication
- Spring replacement
- Eight-way hand tying
- Webbing installation
- Button tufting
- Diamond tufting
- Channel backs
- Decorative trim installation
- Final upholstery installation
- Safe operation of upholstery machinery and tools
Participation in the assessment does not guarantee employment.
Hiring decisions will be based upon demonstrated craftsmanship, production capability, technical skill, communication, references, professionalism, and overall fit with Artisan Interiors.
Performance Expectations
The Master Upholsterer is expected to consistently produce premium-quality craftsmanship while maintaining commercially sustainable production efficiency.
Employees in this role are expected to:
- Produce work requiring minimal corrections or rework
- Meet established production goals without sacrificing quality
- Maintain exceptional attention to detail
- Protect customer furniture and materials
- Maintain organized work areas
- Follow company procedures and safety standards
- Assist fellow team members when appropriate
- Contribute positively to a respectful, professional, and solution-oriented workplace
This position is intended for highly skilled professionals capable of consistently performing at an expert level across all major upholstery disciplines.
Work Environment
This position operates inside an active upholstery workroom and warehouse environment.
The Master Upholsterer must be comfortable working around:
- Industrial sewing equipment
- Pneumatic upholstery tools
- Foam cutting equipment
- Woodworking machinery
- Furniture deliveries
- Production deadlines
- Heavy furniture movement
- Multiple projects simultaneously
- Collaboration with designers, seamstresses, installers, delivery personnel, project managers, and leadership
This is not an entry-level or production-line position.
Each project is unique and requires craftsmanship, sound judgment, problem-solving ability, and meticulous attention to detail.
Physical Requirements
The employee must be able to:
- Lift and maneuver furniture weighing 100 pounds or more with assistance
- Stand for extended periods throughout an eight-hour shift
- Frequently bend, kneel, squat, crouch, climb, reach, and perform repetitive hand movements
- Safely operate industrial sewing machines, pneumatic tools, woodworking equipment, and upholstery machinery
- Work comfortably in a warehouse environment that experiences seasonal temperature variations
Required Qualifications
- Valid California Driver's License preferred
- Ability to legally work in the United States
- Ability to pass a background check
- Reliable transportation
- Consistent attendance and punctuality
- Drug-free while working
- Strong work ethic
- Commitment to quality craftsmanship
- Positive attitude and team-oriented mindset
30-Day Mutual Evaluation Period
Artisan Interiors Upholstery & Design believes that successful long-term employment depends on the right fit for both the employee and the Company.
Accordingly, all newly hired Master Upholsterers begin employment with a Thirty (30) Day Mutual Evaluation Period.
During this period, both the Company and the employee will evaluate whether the position is an appropriate long-term fit.
Performance factors evaluated include, but are not limited to:
- Upholstery craftsmanship
- Industrial sewing proficiency
- Attention to detail
- Quality of finished work
- Production speed and efficiency
- Ability to follow established procedures
- Reliability and punctuality
- Communication and professionalism
- Teamwork and attitude
- Safety practices
- Adaptability and willingness to learn
- Overall compatibility with Artisan Interiors' culture, standards, and expectations
Likewise, the employee is encouraged to evaluate whether the Company, work environment, responsibilities, culture, and expectations align with their own professional goals.
At the conclusion of the Mutual Evaluation Period, either the employee or the Company may determine that continued employment is not in their best interest.
Successful completion of the Mutual Evaluation Period does not alter the employee's at-will employment status.
Employment Terms
Employment with Artisan Interiors Upholstery & Design is at-will. Either the employee or the Company may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may be modified, expanded, reassigned, or adjusted as business needs evolve.
Why Join Artisan Interiors?
At Artisan Interiors, you'll work on projects that challenge and showcase your craftsmanship. From heirloom furniture restoration to luxury custom upholstered pieces, you'll be part of a team that values quality over shortcuts and craftsmanship over volume.
If you're a true master of your trade and take pride in producing exceptional work that stands the test of time, we invite you to apply and become part of one of Northern California's premier custom upholstery companies.
Pay: $22.00 - $35.00 per hour
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- Do you have at least ten (10) years of professional furniture upholstery experience?
- Do you have at least ten (10) years of professional industrial upholstery sewing experience?
- Can you independently complete a furniture project from teardown through final upholstery without supervision?
- Have you personally performed 8-way hand-tied spring construction?
- Have you independently completed button tufting, diamond tufting, and channel back upholstery?
- Are you experienced with pattern matching large-repeat fabrics and upholstery-grade leather?
- Are you comfortable operating industrial sewing machines, sergers, pneumatic upholstery tools, and common woodworking equipment?
- Are you able to lift and maneuver furniture with another team member and work in a warehouse environment throughout an eight-hour shift?
- Are you available to work Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM, with occasional overtime as needed?
- Are you comfortable completing a paid hands-on skills assessment and a 30-day mutual evaluation period if selected for the position?
Work Location: In person
