Upholstery with a Master

⚙️ SHOW NOTES: This video provides last step instruction on how to upholster the slip seat of our Queen Anne Footstool, the very one built through the Online Course of the same name. A visit with career upholsterer Joseph Portinari offers more than the how-to, but also some vignettes into a craftsman of many years with many stories to tell. Listen closely, Joe is a funny guy!



⚙️ EPISODE LINKS:

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LIVE EVENTS are filmed in the shop of Tom McLaughlin, host of TV's Classic Woodworking and Shop Night Live. Tom loves to pass on the craft of woodworking by creating projects to present in live video form backed by his over 30-years of experience making fine custom furniture.
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FTC Disclosure: In general, the links we provide through Amazon are affiliate links, which means we will receive a small commission if you purchase something using that link. Affiliate arrangements are not a focus for us, but we do want you to be aware of this one.

[averyportinari]

This is my family’s business, very proud to see this shown to the world ❤

[QueenBee-edvt]

People underestimate how valuable this skill is. The cheap imports of today do not compare to the quality furniture of the past. I love to re-upholster old pieces. Love watching a master at work. God bless him.

[kyrellosekladious]

This old man deserves an Oscar for life time achievements 👏

[arlenem]

There is nothing more wonderful than watching an old master craftsman at work. This is handmade workmanship, which you don't learn in school these days. The manufacturers these days don't put the quality in the products they sell; sadly, it's all about money. Beautiful God-given talent.

[YolandaMartinez-bckk]

He's awesome 💯😎, WE need more like you sir, whatever will we do!

[elbrown]

I watch nothing on network TV--I could binge on this all day. The finger strength of this man is amazing. Tell crafty young people that to go into this line of work. You will be honored and revered. I drive 60 miles to a small town to meet my upholsterer who is getting old and doesn't have a son or daughter who has learned the skill. Hopefully YouTubes like this will inspire a whole new generation of skilled and appreciated craftsmen and women.

[EnochPage-yw]

Nothing so pleasing as to watch a master craftman do his thing! Bravo!!!

[martywhiskersdoggity]

My father was a Danish trained Apprentice Upholsterer... His certificate of completion is in Danish, French, German and English. When my folks immigrated in 1948 to Washington State ( where we had relatives)... he was able to quickly get hired into a shop.... later in life he ran a very successful Shop of his own.... ( for 15 years)...

[lmac]

I learned so much in 16 minutes! Wow! Such a joy to watch him work away at this. His corners were absolute perfection!! ❤️

[boblasley]

What a joy to watch Joe ply his craft and make it look so easy. IF I live to be 82, I hope I get around half as well as Joe does!

[cathyb]

I would watch a channel of his religiously. Nothing like seeing a skilled professional at work.

[edday]

As an upholsterer, I like that he showed us that gun from 1974. I have one that I bought in 1977. It's a Senco and parts are no longer available, I have it now sitting on my desk as a keepsake. My current favorite is a Porter Cable. BTW, I'm 76 and still doing upholstery on a part time basis.

[joycethorn]

Wow, this man knows his work. Beautiful to watch

[rickh]

This is awesome. I love working with old timers. They are like gold in their industry and their experience is worth it

[xpkareem]

I love watching old timers do the craft they've been doing forever. You can learn so much. They do things by instinct they've been doing it so long. Yea he does make it look easy.

[paulgerber]

Just the way he touches the peace as he works on it shows you the love of craft.

[Indyjojo]

I would love to see more videos with this gentleman! I love the stories he tells about days (tools) gone by, he’s clearly a great craftsman and enjoyable all around!

[SJustice]

I've never wanted to apprentice before, but I'd sign up in a heartbeat to work with Joe! So much knowledge and life experience to learn from - and he's so charming! 😍

[usagi]

Watching this made me nostalgic for weekends with my dad when we'd watch This Old House and New Yankee Workshop. There's something about listening to good people who mastered their crafts and loved sharing the information that's so beautiful.

[leonardfischbach]

I love learning a bit by watching a master craftsman work his or her magic. Thanks for highlighting Joe's fabulous work.