Katja Torvinen

Katja Torvinen is a Master Upholsterer from Finland with nearly 30 years of experience in the craft.

She graduated as an upholsterer from the Lahti Institute of Design and Fine Arts in 1997 and founded her own business in 2005 after spending several years working within a cooperative.

From her workshop in Ylöjärvi, Finland, Katja works with both private and trade clients. Her practice covers traditional and modern upholstery techniques as well as a wide range of woven seating methods.

Katja holds a number of professional qualifications, including Journeyman and Master Upholsterer certifications, a Vocational Qualification in Interior Decoration and a Vocational Qualification in Entrepreneurship.

Teaching has been an important part of her career. She has taught upholstery for periods at several institutions, including Tampere Vocational College, Tampere Adult Education Centre (TAKK) and Kerava Prison.

She continues to mentor students and offers internships within her own workshop whenever possible.

Katja currently teaches future Journeymen and Masters through TTS, the Work Efficiency Institute in Finland. She also runs short courses in traditional upholstery and caning.

Alongside her workshop and teaching work, Katja has been actively involved with professional and craft organisations throughout her career.

She is a former Chair, Secretary and board member of the Tampere Master Upholsterers’ Association and remains a member of the organisation. She is also a former board member and current member of the Tampere Handicraft and Industry Association.

Katja is currently Vice Chair of the Tampere Master Guild and is also a member of the Finnish Upholsterers’ Association. 

Her interest in the wider European upholstery tradition has led her to visit and study workshops across Europe. She also holds Journeyman status with the Guild of Traditional Upholsterers in the United Kingdom.

Katja’s professional achievements have been recognised with a number of awards. She was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009 by the Tampere Handicraft and Industry Association and Craft Master of the Year in 2011 by the Tampere Master Guild.

In 2022 she also received recognition from the Finnish Association of Master Upholsterers.

Katja brings together nearly three decades of professional workshop experience, teaching and a broad knowledge of both traditional and modern upholstery. Her particular experience in Northern European upholstery, springing, caning and woven seating gives students the opportunity to explore techniques and traditions that are not often taught outside Scandinavia and Northern Europe.