Matt & Kris Curten of KMC Upholstery & Canvas (Metropolis, IL)

What does being an upholsterer mean to you?

We love the craft and love the excitement in our customers when they see the finished product. It is very rewarding.

How did you get started in upholstery?

We started by doing our own projects and our business took off from there

What types of upholstery do you do?

Custom auto interiors, boat interiors and canvas, motorcycle, aircraft, ATV, and outdoor seating

How long have you been upholstering?

7 years

What is your biggest consumer demand?

Classic Auto Interiors

What is your favorite upholstery project you’ve done?

Several 49-53 Chevy Truck Interiors

What is the strangest item you’ve found in a restoration?
Vietnam era military dog tags found in 1969 Firebird seats

Have you noticed any up & coming trends?
Backlighting on door panels and consoles

What changes would benefit the upholstery industry?

More options for training, such as more schools, with classes for both beginner and advanced skill levels. 

Have you ever been featured on television, online, or in another publication?

Yes, we have been featured in some local publications

Do you have a shop animal?

Not by choice, but we have a black snake we named Fred that frequently visits us in the shop!


Some answers have been edited for clarity.