The National Upholstery Association is proud to announce our 2026 Board of Directors, a dynamic assembly of individuals with a wealth of knowledge, experiences and diverse perspectives! 

This year, Samantha Kuczynski steps into the role as President, with Grace Reff moving into the Vice President role. Melisa Longo, a new board member, has graciously accepted the role of Treasurer. Tammy Packard remains for a second year as Secretary. 

This year, we welcome back three returning Directors at Large: Ella Hall, Scott Coley and Ragne Smith, all having one year left on their term. We welcome Ron Trevarrow, Mellisa Bagwell, Rachel Fletcher and Simon Cohen as the the NUA's newest Directors at Large. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our outgoing board members for their dedication and invaluable contributions to the National Upholstery Association. Your leadership has made a lasting impact on our community, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

We’re thrilled to announce the inaugural recipient of the Upholstery Education Scholarship, made possible through the partnership between Upholstery Education and the National Upholstery Association: Hannah Gabbard.

Hannah is especially passionate about the preservation of traditional upholstery skills and ensuring they are carried forward to future generations. This scholarship reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the future of our trade by investing in education, skill-building, and emerging talent.

Congratulations, Hannah — we’re so excited to support your journey and see what’s ahead!

Have you joined us on Discord yet? As a member, you can join this free platform that serves as a virtual clubhouse where you can connect with other members in real time through organized topic-based channels. Whether you're looking to ask questions, share resources, learn from others or join live conversations, Discord makes it easy to find and engage in the discussions that matter most to you. 

Members can explore channels focused on business, project help, buying and selling, mentoring, events and more - plus stay up to date on upcoming NUA events in the Events channel. You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how the NUA operates with view-only access to committee channels, where volunteers plan the programs and benefits that support our industry. We hope you'll join us and be a part of this growing, collaborative community. 

Upholstery Education: San Diego Masters

We are looking forward to welcoming our students to our San Diego 2026 Fundamentals and Master Course. We do have two spots left for out Master's Course.

At Upholstery Education, our mission is to deliver the highest standard of instruction while fostering creativity and a love for quality craftsmanship. Our offerings include Master Class Courses, Workshops and Educational Opportunities across the United States. Whether you are an aspiring professional, a passionate hobbyist or an experience artisan, all are welcome. We provide the tools and world-class master instructors you need to explore, learn and understand traditional upholstery, seat weaving, related furnishing craft and relevant modern restoration techniques. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date on our upcoming classes on our website.  www.upholsteryeducation.com.
 

2026 Custom Workroom Conference  

Save the date for the only educational event and trade show for custom drapery, soft furnishing and upholstery workroom businesses. Each year, the NUA organizes a pre-event preceding CWC. Stay tuned for more details!

Last Chance to Submit Your Class Ideas for CWC 2026!

Custom Workroom Conference is looking for talented workroom professionals to share skills, knowledge, techniques and inspiration. Whether you are an experienced teacher or bravely submitting for the first time, we would like to hear from you. 

The education program at CWC is specifically for drapery and upholstery workroom businesses. We are looking for classes showing new methods, timeless techniques, details, speciality skills and best practices in sewing, upholstery, slipcovers, and business, sales and marketing for wholesale and retail businesses. Submission deadline in Monday, February 2, 2026. 

The Curtains & Soft Furnishing Resource Library 

The Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library hosts the industry's largest curated collection of educational resources from Custom Home Furnishings Professionals. Membership to the library gives you access to a wealth of downloadable reference materials, videos, live events and a community of support to help you develop the skills you need to start or grow your soft furnishings business. 

Greenhouse Fabrics

For 75 years, Greenhouse Fabrics has supported upholsterers with reliable inventory, responsive service and fabrics build for real work. Family-owned and rooted in generational expertise, we blend proven performance with a refreshingly personal approach. When you need answers, you get them from people who know fabric - because they work beside it every day. Our collections honor craftsmanship, respect your time and help you build pieces that last. 

Your fabric partner - built on trust, backed by expertise and ready for what's next, with dependable stock, fast shipping and service designed around your business needs. 

Casper Hill   

New Year: Level Up with Casper Hill! Casper Hill's exclusive leather collection delivers luxury, durability and very competitive pricing! All leathers are stocked in-house and ready to ship. Be set apart with leather that performs as beautifully as it presents. 

Connect with Rosemary today! casperhill.com/contact-us 

Kim's Upholstery 

Kim's Upholstery offers a powerful combination of on-demand online training and immersive hands-on workshops designed to help both new and experiences upholsters grow their skills with confidence. With hundreds of detailed video lessons, live weekly chats and a supportive community, members get the guidance they need to tackle any project. Our in-person workshops provide personalized coaching and real-time problem-solving that accelerated learning. Whether you're building a business or elevating your craft, Kim's Upholstery delivers accessible, high-quality education that meets you where you are - anywhere in the country. kimsupholstery.com/online-classes/ facebook.com/kimsupholstery instagram.com/kimsupholstery

Massasoit/Tackband

The original manufacturer of Tack Strip, Flex Grip, Curve Ease and Nail Trim.Massasoit /Tackband, established in 1898, has earned a well-deserved reputation for developing & producing premium quality products that are custom design to meet the specifications of our customers.
Proudly made in the USA, our products are made from the finest materials that will never have unfinished edges or burrs that can harm your fabric, leather or vinyl. We take as much pride in our products as our customers take in their craft. Please contact us at: Tel: 413-593-6731 Email: tackband@verizon.net  www.tackbandusa.com