Upholstery fabric

[Nereus]

I have a 3 seat sofa that was not cheap when I bought it about 6 years ago. It was sold as being covered with "German leather". All I can say about that is there must be a lot of Germans valking around mit holes in their shorts!

I guess the problem is that any leather needs to be "fed" regularly to keep it soft and pliable, and in the heat it just drys out and starts to fall apart if not looked after properly.

So, I want to get the thing reupholstered and would like some comments on what to use in place of leather. I have a book of swatches from a Thai supplier, but she does not have any idea what I am talking about when I asked her for a recommendation. Anybody?

[Dannie Boy]

I have a 3 seat sofa that was not cheap when I bought it about 6 years ago. It was sold as being covered with "German leather". All I can say about that is there must be a lot of Germans valking around mit holes in their shorts!

I guess the problem is that any leather needs to be "fed" regularly to keep it soft and pliable, and in the heat it just drys out and starts to fall apart if not looked after properly.

So, I want to get the thing reupholstered and would like some comments on what to use in place of leather. I have a book of swatches from a Thai supplier, but she does not have any idea what I am talking about when I asked her for a recommendation. Anybody?

Probably impossible to advise without the swatches to look at - isn't it just a case of picking the fabric that you like best?

[Nereus]

I have a 3 seat sofa that was not cheap when I bought it about 6 years ago. It was sold as being covered with "German leather". All I can say about that is there must be a lot of Germans valking around mit holes in their shorts!

I guess the problem is that any leather needs to be "fed" regularly to keep it soft and pliable, and in the heat it just drys out and starts to fall apart if not looked after properly.

So, I want to get the thing reupholstered and would like some comments on what to use in place of leather. I have a book of swatches from a Thai supplier, but she does not have any idea what I am talking about when I asked her for a recommendation. Anybody?

Probably impossible to advise without the swatches to look at - isn't it just a case of picking the fabric that you like best?

No, it`s not that simple. There is a multitude of different compositions of fabric, polyester, PVC, acrylic, viscose, cotton, etc., with most of them being a mixture of all or some. What I am asking is does anybody know what type of fabrics will be more serviceable.

[Raffles]

I recommend you try 'Oriental Living' - located on Petchkasem Rd, driving out of town, beyond the traffic signal after the Palace. We used them almost exclusively for the interior of our villa, which included sofas, and were very happy with the results. Professionals who know what they are talking about when it comes to recommending and using the proper materials for various pieces of furniture.

[Nereus]

I recommend you try 'Oriental Living' - located on Petchkasem Rd, driving out of town, beyond the traffic signal after the Palace. We used them almost exclusively for the interior of our villa, which included sofas, and were very happy with the results. Professionals who know what they are talking about when it comes to recommending and using the proper materials for various pieces of furniture.

OK thanks. The girl that I knew there has gone I believe, but maybe I better check again. The sofa is in my Condo in Bangkok, and I would not want to pick their brains for nothing.

[Raffles]

Yes, I understand. As a guide: for our sofas I chose a 'thick corduroy' design. It looks great and is hard wearing, with lots of colours to choose from. Sorry, don't remember the exact material composition.

[hhfarang]

Nereus, what you want is microfiber. They've been selling it in the U.S. as a furniture upholstery material for fifteen years. It's cool, feels and looks like suede and is easy to clean. We shipped our home cinema furniture from the U.S. that is light tan colored microfiber and even when I've spilled red wine on it a wash cloth with only water cleans up the spill with no stain left. It's Comfortable and durable for years and much cooler in this heat than leather. Not sure if it's available here but should be in Bangkok.

From Wikipedia:

"Microfibers used in tablecloths, furniture, and car interiors are designed to repel wetting and consequently are difficult to stain. Microfiber tablecloths will bead liquors until they are removed and are sometimes advertised showing red wine on a white tablecloth that wipes clean with a paper towel. This and the ability to mimic suede economically are common selling points for microfiber upholstery fabrics (e.g. for couches)."

[margaretcarnes]

I have a 3 seat sofa that was not cheap when I bought it about 6 years ago. It was sold as being covered with "German leather". All I can say about that is there must be a lot of Germans valking around mit holes in their shorts!

I guess the problem is that any leather needs to be "fed" regularly to keep it soft and pliable, and in the heat it just drys out and starts to fall apart if not looked after properly.

So, I want to get the thing reupholstered and would like some comments on what to use in place of leather. I have a book of swatches from a Thai supplier, but she does not have any idea what I am talking about when I asked her for a recommendation. Anybody?

No. But I do know a Brit expat in NonKhai who was an upholsterer. PM me if you want me to e mail him and maybe put you in touch.

[Nereus]

Nereus, what you want is microfiber. They've been selling it in the U.S. as a furniture upholstery material for fifteen years. It's cool, feels and looks like suede and is easy to clean. We shipped our home cinema furniture from the U.S. that is light tan colored microfiber and even when I've spilled red wine on it a wash cloth with only water cleans up the spill with no stain left. It's Comfortable and durable for years and much cooler in this heat than leather. Not sure if it's available here but should be in Bangkok.

From Wikipedia:

"Microfibers used in tablecloths, furniture, and car interiors are designed to repel wetting and consequently are difficult to stain. Microfiber tablecloths will bead liquors until they are removed and are sometimes advertised showing red wine on a white tablecloth that wipes clean with a paper towel. This and the ability to mimic suede economically are common selling points for microfiber upholstery fabrics (e.g. for couches)."

Thank you young fellow, and how are you doing?
Do you know what the actual fabric composition is? Ask for "Microfiber" here and they will bring a roll of roof insulation!

The swatches I have are from Europe, and all the soft types are only supplied on order via air freight. They show the the % of each component, or 100% in the case of Polyester, the fire retardant rating on some of them, and a rating for the abrasive resistance called a "rub rating". Every one of the soft types is listed as non-washable! They all have the recommended cleaning method shown as well. The only ones that can be cleaned with a sponge and soap are the imitation leather types. These also have a range of different compositions, including some that have "PU" in them, which I assume is Poly Urethane.

As to be expected, the shop has NO idea what any of it means, despite the book having some Thai descriptions written in it.

[Nereus]

I have a 3 seat sofa that was not cheap when I bought it about 6 years ago. It was sold as being covered with "German leather". All I can say about that is there must be a lot of Germans valking around mit holes in their shorts!

I guess the problem is that any leather needs to be "fed" regularly to keep it soft and pliable, and in the heat it just drys out and starts to fall apart if not looked after properly.

So, I want to get the thing reupholstered and would like some comments on what to use in place of leather. I have a book of swatches from a Thai supplier, but she does not have any idea what I am talking about when I asked her for a recommendation. Anybody?

No. But I do know a Brit expat in NonKhai who was an upholsterer. PM me if you want me to e mail him and maybe put you in touch.

Thank you very much, I will see how it works out over the next few days.

[hhfarang]

Do you know what the actual fabric composition is? Ask for "Microfiber" here and they will bring a roll of roof insulation!

Apparently, the composition is determined by the what the material will be used for... more from wikipedia:

"Microfiber or microfibre refers to synthetic fibers finer than one or 1.3 denier or decitex/thread.[1] By comparison, microfiber is 1/100th the diameter of a human hair and 1/20th the diameter of a strand of silk. The most common types of microfibers are made from polyesters, polyamides (e.g., nylon, Kevlar, Nomex, trogamide), or a conjugation of polyester, polyamide, and polypropylene (Prolen).[2] Microfiber is used to make mats, knits, and weaves for apparel, upholstery, industrial filters, and cleaning products.. The shape, size, and combinations of synthetic fibers are selected for specific characteristics, including softness, toughness, absorption, water repellency, electrodynamics, and filtering capabilities."

Sorry, I'm not sure what the composition is of the suede-like upholstery fabric (we've removed the tags from our furniture that said "Do not remove under penalty of law" ), but it looks good and is durable, washable, and very comfortable.

[Nereus]

Sorry, I'm not sure what the composition is of the suede-like upholstery fabric (we've removed the tags from our furniture that said "Do not remove under penalty of law" ), but it looks good and is durable, washable, and very comfortable.

OK, thanks for your input. From what I can find out on the Internet the most common combination for upholstery fabric is: 80% Polyester, 20% Polyamide (basically nylon, although many different types).
The book does not show any fabric with those specs, but there are several with a base of Polyester, combined with several other synthetic materials, plus cotton on a couple. There are some that are 100% Polyester and they all seem to vary in the "wear" rating, depending on the overall construction and pattern.

The suede-like types mostly have a base of Polyester, but not in the ratios shown above.
I asked my Granddaughter to pick one out, which turned out to be one of a couple that I liked, BUT it is 1,850 per yard!
And despite the shop bringing the bloke that does the actual work, he did not even attempt to measure the thing, so unsure of how much fabric is needed, but I have made a rough estimate of 17 yards, which would make it more than the whole frigging thing cost originally(30k)!