Upholstery and Marine-Grade Textiles Course
Online course of 300 hours in marine upholstery and weather-resistant textiles. 6 modules covering marine fibres and fabrics, fillings and foams, marine upholstery techniques, interior and safety textiles, and management and maintenance, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the fibres and fabrics suited to the marine environment.
Select fillings and foams according to use and location.
Apply marine pattern-making and making-up techniques.
Meet reaction-to-fire requirements for textiles on board.
Organise quality control and maintenance of upholstery.
Assess the sustainability and life cycle of textiles.
Develop the upholstery project for a vessel.
Who it's for
- Marine upholsterers.
- Technical textiles specialists.
- Marine interior designers.
- Interior procurement managers.
- Yacht maintenance technicians.
- Canvas and awning makers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter yacht building.
What you'll work with
- IMO FTP Code, Parts 7, 8 and 9 (fire tests for textiles, upholstered furniture and bedding)
- Directive 2014/90/EU (marine equipment)
- ISO 12947-2 (Martindale abrasion resistance)
- ISO 105-B02 (colour fastness to artificial light)
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (textiles tested for harmful substances)
- EN 1021-1 (ignitability of upholstered furniture)
- ISO 811 (resistance to water penetration)
- Gerber AccuMark
- Optitex
- AutoCAD
- Adobe Illustrator
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Natural and synthetic fibres1.2Solution-dyed acrylic1.3Polyester, PVC and olefins1.4Coated technical fabrics1.5UV resistance and colour fastness1.6Water repellency and breathability1.7Mildew resistance1.8Abrasion and the Martindale method1.9Manufacturers' technical data sheets1.10Case study: comparison of exterior fabrics
2.1Polyurethane foams by density2.2Open-cell foams for exterior use2.3Fire-retardant foams for interiors2.4Latex and memory foams2.5Polyester fibre and down2.6Drainage in exterior cushions2.7Durability and fatigue2.8Weights and thicknesses2.9Emissions and air quality2.10Workshop: foam selection for a sunbathing area
3.1Pattern making from templates3.2UV-resistant seams and threads3.3Welts and piping3.4Marine zips and fasteners3.5Upholstering wall panels3.6Headboards and padded panels3.7Exterior covers and canvas3.8Awnings and biminis3.9Upholsterer's tools3.10Practical exercise: pattern for a cockpit cushion
4.1Curtains and blinds4.2Rugs and carpets4.3Bed linen and hotel textiles4.4FTP Code requirements for textiles4.5Upholstered furniture and testing4.6Fire-retardant beds and mattresses4.7MED certification of textiles4.8Cleaning and industrial laundering4.9Allergies and Oeko-Tex certification4.10Lab: light fastness test
5.1Technical specification of upholstery5.2Manufacturing lead times and logistics5.3Quality control and receipt5.4Protection during winter lay-up5.5Cleaning stains and mildew5.6Seam repair5.7Periodic replacement of covers and cushions5.8Sustainability and textile recycling5.9Life-cycle cost5.10Case study: textile maintenance for a charter fleet
6.1Inventory of upholstered items6.2Requirements by zone6.3Selection of fabrics and fillings6.4Pattern making and cutting list6.5Making-up details6.6Compliance with reaction-to-fire regulations6.7Budget and making-up lead times6.8Upholstery maintenance plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Gerber AccuMark, Optitex, AutoCAD and Adobe Illustrator, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: selecting fabrics and foams for exterior decks, pattern making and making-up of marine cushions and colour fastness to light testing. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: IMO FTP Code, Parts 7, 8 and 9, Directive 2014/90/EU, ISO 12947-2, ISO 105-B02, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, EN 1021-1, ISO 811.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
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 over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Gerber AccuMark, Optitex, AutoCAD and Adobe Illustrator, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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