Expert: Mark H. Miller - 2/3/2009

Question
I just bought a McCreary sectional @ Macy's and the seat pillows are 9% down/feather combo-but now they wrap the down & feathers ina seperate wrapping, instead of directly with foam and it doesn't feel right. they claim it was beacuse people were complaining about feathers (quills) sticking out and this wrapping is perforated (A synthetic).I am concerned it is inferior quality.What do you think?  And Can I purchase 75/25 and insert on my own?Thanks!

Answer
Hello Debby

Question:
I just bought a McCreary sectional @ Macy's and the seat pillows are 9% down/feather combo-but now they wrap the down & feathers ina seperate wrapping, instead of directly with foam and it doesn't feel right. they claim it was beacuse people were complaining about feathers (quills) sticking out and this wrapping is perforated (A synthetic).

Answer;
It is normal for a certain amount of down or feathers to penetrate down-proof ticking and to come out at the seams.  The outer layer of the cushion should be the down and feather wrap, the blanket should not be wrapped with anything,  if there is excessive down and feathers penetrating the ticking, then the solution is to use a better quality ticking,  wrapping the ticking with something else will only result in the feathers having a longer traveling time thereby postponing the problem,  it's not a solution.  In my opinion what you were told is not acceptable.  

Question;
I am concerned it is inferior quality.What do you think?  And Can I purchase 75/25 and insert on my own?Thanks!

Answer;

75/25 does not exist in furniture,  25/75 = 25% down 75% feather is suitable for seats.  50/50 the best but may be too soft for seating and is best for back cushins.

10/90 is 10% down 90% feather,  in my opinion that is very low quality and I consider it to be junk.  Far superior is the 25/75, and the feathers should be goose or duck no other bird.  FYI, usually the animals are not killed for the feathers but shed them.  

Again,  the 25/75 down and feather blanket should be on the outside and nothing should cover over that blanket except down proof ticking.  It is possible to purchase new cushion inserts of high quality but doing that is very difficult and I would not recommend you do so on your own.  Cushion Works in San Francisco can make the inserts and ship them,  you could also ship them the existing covers and they will fill them for you.  I suggest that you return the furniture if you are allowed to do so and buy something of a higher quality.  New cushion inserts,  custom made are very expensive, and buying them may cost you more than you paid for the furniture.

I hope this answers your concerns.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if I you have additional questions.

Mark Miller.