How to salvage bi-cast leather couch

Achendry
by Achendry
My couch is only 7 years old and it's falling apart. Don't want it in the landfill but I'm on a limited budget to make it look presentable until I can afford a new one. I can't even give it away right now. The back of couch is fine except one small spot that is starting to peel.
Leather bi-cast pealing badly
It's the perfect size and layout for my basement and it was hard to get in so hate to move it.
Bottom cushions are all removable
  11 answers
  • Julie Julie on Sep 06, 2015
    Not knowing what your budget is or if you have sewing skills or a machine, I'd recommend making individual cushion covers with coordinating upholstery fabric. Many...how-to videos on YouTube. Good luck!
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 06, 2015
    If I am correct the couch looks like leather. There are kits available for you toe repair. Check out the Houzz website.I believe they will give you a step by step process.
  • Graphxdesigner Graphxdesigner on Sep 06, 2015
    I had the same thoughts as Julie! If the body is fine then I'd be finding some replacement fabric for recovering the seat cushions! Even if you're not great at sewing I'd try and unpick a cushion to use as a pattern for making the new covers! Keep the underneath parts to sew into the new replacements to cut down costs! Unfortunately bicast leather is cheap and won't last as long as a high graded leather. Best of luck!
  • ReneJackson ReneJackson on Sep 06, 2015
    Cover with drop cloths. The are inexpensive and easy to use.
  • Loretta Downey Loretta Downey on Sep 17, 2015
    Since it looks like only two cushions are bad just buy enough upholstery material to cover those and then stagger the cushions to make a pattern on your couch. That way you don't have to cover all the cushions.
  • Billie Billie on Sep 17, 2015
    Or, if you want to keep the leather, cut some leather off of the back and then cover the back with a fun or complimenting fabric. All of this would require sewing, which is so simple. Just find a you tube video if you don't know how. Like someone said above, take the cushion cover apart with a seam ripper and use each piece as a pattern
  • Sue c. Sue c. on Sep 18, 2015
    What in the world is "bi-cast" leather? Pleather? Naugahide? Fake leather look-a-like? A new marketing term perhaps? I learn new things daily on Hometalk. The couch is a nice configuration so I vote to take off the back and use that fabric to redo cushions. I had a real leather sectional with a torn back panel. Took the panel off and put a wild Marimeko pattern on the back. WOW! What a color punch. And I had Leather to use for arm covers to slow down wear in that area. Good luck with this. You can do this and we all want to see your update pics.
  • Terri Butts Terri Butts on Sep 19, 2015
    I'd go to the fabric store and find the closest match to the color in a sturdy fabric or even a fake leather. Then I'd wrap and hot glue the fabric to the bottom of the cushions.
  • Denise Boyce Denise Boyce on Sep 19, 2015
    I know your decor isn't western by a long shot but here in Texas they sell leather couches with the seats already upholstered in horse blanket type material, if you could find something you like you might be able to salvage this couch. I love the shape. I found this contemporary in a 2015 catalog
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  • Rose Rose on Sep 20, 2015
    There are leather sealers in a tube that work. Also you may want to use saddle soap on it. It will soften it so it doesn't crack. Then just add a few pillows and nice throw on it and it will be refreshed.
  • Her2308345 Her2308345 on Sep 20, 2015
    Recover the seat and back cushions with a coordinating patterned upholstery fabric. If you do not sew, an upholsterer will recover those fairly reasonably. Estimate 1 1/2 yards do fabric per cushion as a guide. If you need the Velcro I see on the bottom try placing it on the back side of the boxing of the cushion to enable you to flip your cushions to increase life of the fabric. It will look great and those are the main areas of wear, you should get many more years life out of the sectional then)!