Expert: Mark H. Miller - 6/28/2007

Question
QUESTION: Is is possible to recover only the top portion (the part you sit on) of an attached leather couch cushion?  I would like to replace the failing leather on top of the cushions with tapestry. I don't know if this is even possible on attached cushions. Thanks for your help!

ANSWER: Hi Laura,

What you would like to do is a very good idea and would increase the life of your sofa.  The problem is that the cushions are attached.  To change the cushion tops would require a skilled upholsterer who has to disassemble most of the sofa in order to remove the attached cushions, remove the top, sew in the new tapestry and then reassemble the sofa.  A 3 seat cushion sofa this would take a minimum of 10 hours labor, time $85 per hour.  Plus the cost of the tapestry.  

Then there is the risk that is the leather is old and brittle it will tear when the new tapestry is sewn into place.

So, unless the sofa is very valuable doing that job is not cost effective.  Very few upholsterers will take the job unless you sign an agreement that if the leather tears in other places you assume that risk.  I don't recommend you do the job.

Now if your sofa had loose seat cushions it would be fairly simple to do,  which is something you should consider if you decide to purchase another leather sofa.

I hope this helps.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have further questions or concerns.

Mark Miller.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mark,
Thanks so much for your recommendation. Although this was the answer I was expecting, it is still disappointing.  The rest of the couch is still in perfect condition, as it is only 2 years old.  The leather is failing due to a faulty piece of leather being installed from the manufacturer and since I did not purchase the warranty at an extra cost, the furniture store will not repair.  It is still not worth the cost to repair to me but here is my question (finally)...Can you give me a quick fix or some sort of do-it-yourself idea to hide the top of the cushions, so the kids can at least use it in their playroom?  A slipcover will not stay on due to the leather being so slippery.  Or, have you heard of any good leather repair methods or products? Thanks again - any suggestions will help.

Answer
Hi Laura,

I suggest that you advise the furniture store that you intend to file a complaint with the Bureau of Furniture and Bedding in your state and seek their assistance in resolving the issue.  Because the issue is not one of warranty but of faulty merchandise,  if what you say is true the leather was defective it simply wasn't discovered until now.  Were you told that you received defective merchandise. This is different from let's say a coil spring breaking which may be due to wear and tear.  You could argue your case in Small Claims Court that what you received was defective and therefore warranty is not an issue.  With normal use the industry standard is that upholstery fabric and leather should last 10 years.
You could suggest that you will be satisfied with a 40% discount on another sofa, that is the standard markup on furniture and that way the store sells you a new sofa at their cost, they may do that just to resolve the problem. And you keep the defective sofa for the playroom.

If you decide to keep the sofa, you can cover the cushions and prevent a cover from sliding by purchasing the 2 or 3 inch wide strips that are used at the bottom of area rugs to prevent them from sliding on hardwood floors.  Or the 12inch wide strips of rubber mesh that is used for lining in kitchen drawers. That way the cloth won't slide and you can easily remove it for cleaning.

I hope this helps.  Good luck.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Mark Miller.

I forgot to add that I know of no product that will repair leather satisfactorily unless it is a very small cut.