Leather Upholstery

Hi,

I am working on a chair prototype currently. It is for my portfolio for job applications soon.
I need the seat of the chair upholstered in vegetable tanned leather and was wondering if anyone on here had any experience in this field or new where to take this?
As it is not a paid job and just for myself I don't have endless funds but I am willing to get it done properly.
Alternatively I will go to Pentonville Rubber to acquire foam and do it myself.

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If you just want a simple fixed leather cover it will be very easy to do yourself. There is a spray contact adhesive (Everbuild?) that sticks to leather, foam and wood very well. Just glue down the foam and cut around the seat - use a very sharp blade. Then glue the leather and staple to the underside, you should be able to stretch it round without any folds or seams, as long as you use proper upholstery leather. It is hard to find a professional upholsterer that is affordable! Drop me a PM if you have any questions.

Thanks.
I have some grey coloured leather for airplane seats I can do a test with.
I was hoping to find a neat solution to mounting the leather. I am not sure I can make staples look good and small nails might look a bit medieval :)
Maybe I can soak the leather I hot water, let it dry clamped to the seat and then glue it on like you would with a bike seat.

Given the skills you have already you could do something quite easily.
Here's an idea:
Get some thin foam (a camping may should be OK)
cut to size
get some suitable leather (undied veg tanned leather isn't often used for upholstery, but if it is just to cover the base it could work fine)
cut a piece the size of the seat, plus twice the thickness of the base and foam, plus enough for a fold underneath, plus enough for lacing.
Punch several holes at roughly 2 inch / 50mm intervals around the edge .
Soak the leather for a day, leave it to partially dry for a day or so. (you should be able to raise a bit of moisture when you push a fingernail over it).
Place it over the seat base, and thread cord between opposing holes so you can increase the tension a bit as the leather dries. Not too tight though, just enough to keep the leather taught.
Let it dry fully in an unheated place. It will set to the shape. You can take it off again now, die it if you want. Trim off the lacing holes so you have a nice even border underneath the seat and fix it in place with small brass screws and washers.
The middle part of the east will be flat, taught, like a drum. Spray it with a bit of water and sit on it. And voila, like a brooks, it will take shape!

Sick!
That sounds like my game plan. Thanks!

my portfolio for job applications

A danish furniture maker needs a folio website? what has the world come to?!

Well I am not looking for a job as a furniture maker to begin with :)

This thread feels relevant :)

Thanks, I have followed that thread and I have also had conversations with a proper saddler. I was just hoping there was some specific knowledge or potential collaborations on lfgss :-)

What are you looking for a job as?

Designer

Drrrrredge. And possibly borderline off topic but can anyone suggest how this tear might be repaired?

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