Anybody got a good upholstery leather supplier?

[sawdustar]

I'm branching out into leather for furniture. I've been researching it but it appears that suppliers for good leather at reasonable prices are hard to find. Do any of you work in leather and have a good supplier that you use? Please advise.

[coachtrim]

What would you consider reasonable priced?
Johann

[kodydog]

When choosing leather hides there is a lot more to consider than just price. For instance will it be used in the auto industry or in the home? And hides can very greatly from one tanner to another. The stuff they are putting on discount furniture won't last more than 4 or 5 years. Here is an post I wrote for my FB page to educate the public on the difference between the discount stuff and leather an upholsterer would supply. Please fell free to share it.

https://www.facebook.com/LaddUpholsteryDesign/photos/a.1503145073293516.1073741833.1432294957045195/1653140284960660/?type=3&theater



Try this guy. He buys closeouts from furniture manufacturers which means he may not always have the same type hides available. But if your looking for some hides to keep in stock for customers to choose his prices are pretty good.

http://www.silverstonefabrics.com/category_s/1896.htm

[baileyuph]

There is even more factors in grading leather, level of processing (the steps) and how many hide imperfections were masked out? 

Plus what layer is it.........for example top grain is the most expensive.  During preparing leather, leather can be sliced into layers.  None below the top grain are considered good quality.

Probably wise to be able to communicate with the seller who knows leather, price is a concern, but paramount to that is the quality.

Popular priced furniture is not best quality and can't be because quality counts/cost.

Doyle

[sawdustar]

Thank you. I will research more and try to learn more about leather. So much to do and so little time it seems. :)