Fabric

Fabric quantities required are on the Price List and are based upon plain fabrics only with a 137 – 140 cm width. For different widths, pattern repeats or the use of more than one fabric, please check with the showroom for the quantities required per design.

Fabrics must be suitable for upholstery (n.b not silk) and we recommend a minimum rub test of 15,000.

The Dining Chair Company accepts no responsibility for the suitability or condition of fabric supplied to us by customers. We cannot guarantee detection of any fabric faults and assume quality control has already occurred prior to our receiving the fabrics.

The Dining Chair Company is responsible for the fire safely of all the chairs leaving our workshops. All must pass FR regulations. Most fabrics require the use of a fire retardant barrier cloth with some requiring backcoating where an interliner will not suffice. All fabric suppliers can confirm what their fabrics require. With Customers’ Own Materials it is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that the fabric supplied will pass FR regulations for domestic or contract use.  That it is supplied treated if necessary or suitable for use with our FR barrier cloth. If, at the point of order, the fabric is not confirmed, the cost of the barrier cloth will be added to the invoice and if necessary the cost deducted from the balance invoice.

Fabrics which are exempt: real leather, 100% wool and 100% linen ONLY.  We recommend the use of the FR barrier cloth with wool and linen for extra durability.

All designs can be upholstered in leather and the number of hides required will be advised per size of hide (standard 5 sqm/55 sq feet) and per design.

The industry-wide formula for converting fabric yardage to leather square footage is one linear yard of 54″ wide fabric equals 18 sq.ft. of leather, based on hides averaging 50 to 55 sq.ft. Due to the irregular shape of the hides, there will always be a certain amount of waste; this formula takes waste into account.  Based on the normal amount of 1.50m required per chair, we need either 2.05m Sq or 22.11ft Sq per chair and therefore request 3/4 hide per chair to allow for the cuts required.

When using hides smaller than 50 sq.ft., the manufacturer should be consulted to determine whether more leather is required due to decreased yield from smaller hides and/or whether seams will be necessary to upholster the piece.

Please note that small hides may require stitching together resulting in additional seams visible around the chair.

As a natural material, hides may have scars, slight grain irregularities and small holes which are not considered defects but characteristics of the animals’ life making each piece unique. We will endeavour to use each piece sensibly but it is the client’s responsibility to check they are happy with the hides they supply.

Please check the nature of your chosen leather and always ask for a stock cutting as batches can vary significantly. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that the finished upholstery will look as intended.

Pull-Up leather is similar to but not the same as distressed leather.  It is aniline dyed to create deep, vibrant colours and finished with waxes and oils which make it very soft to the touch.  When Pull-Up leather is stretched or “pulled”, the colour becomes lighter – Pull-Up refers to this change in colour.  As a pure aniline leather, marks, scratches and signs of wear will show and its rich patina will increase over time.

Distressed leather is also aniline dyed but tumbled in a drum with wax to create variations in colour and the signature worn look with a matte surface.  Pulling distressed leather does not drastically lighten its appearance.

We recommend finishing leather upholstery with nailing to achieve the best result.

Short pile velvet is preferable for upholstery as deep pile velvet can crush when handled during the upholstery process and in everyday use.  Whilst the beauty of velvet can be in the patches where it is brushed in different directions, please be aware of this when making your choice and check with the fabric supplier.  Deep pile velvet is not suitable for piping.  Some velvets can be crushed by packaging so we use simple plastic bags for delivery to avoid this.  Please take this into consideration when specifying delivery to storage units or onward shipping agents.

Please note that the construction of faux leather – PU or PVC with the application or lamination of 100% polyurethane to a base material – means that the product has no give or stretch and so is not suitable for upholstery on chair designs with curves.  It can also pucker around the base of the seats as once stretched it will not go back to shape.

We recommend finishing faux leather upholstery with nailing to achieve the best result.