Vinyl and Leather

Leather and its look-alike cousin, vinyl, are the workhorses in any home décor project. These two multi-purpose products are durable, versatile, affordable and easy to care for.

Vinyl

Vinyl is the often under appreciated workhorse of fabrics. It can be used to upholster furniture, create interesting craft projects or as seat cushions on boats and recreational vehicles. It can mimic the look of real leather but is much more affordable. Easy to care for, vinyl is mildew, heat and oil resistant and usually cleans up with a damp cloth. These properties make it a good choice in spaces where allergies and dust mites might be of concern i.e. public spaces, children's rooms etc. Choose from clear vinyl most often used in craft projects and to protect furniture from the elements to shiny patent vinyl in all the colors of the rainbow to vinyl that mimics the look of real leather.

Leather

Leather comes from the hides of many different animals including calf, sheep, goat and reptiles. There are also leathers from exotic animals like zebra. The tanning process is what determines the use of the hide. Hard leather is used for luggage, shoes and in industrial settings whereas soft leathers are used for handbags, gloves and upholstery.

Leather often gets a bad rap as being too difficult to care for but it has many positive attributes:

• It retains its shape meaning your favorite leather tote or your comfortable reading chair will not stretch out.
• It is moisture resistant so don't panic when something spills; just blot it dry.
• It ages well. Nothing looks more inviting than an aged leather sofa or a handbag that has developed a soft patina over time.
• Leather is durable. No need to worry about the kids wearing out your leather ottoman in a year or two. You will still be using it when they go off to college.

Don't overlook these two fabulous fabrics when it comes time to decorate your home or work on that new craft project.

What's the difference between Pleather and Patent Leather?

Pleather is an apparel weight fabric. It's name comes from the combination of "plastic leather." The Pleather we carry is a 58/60" wide polyurethane coated polyester knit. It is a lightweight fabric that comes in a variety of colors, and can be used in many apparel and accessory applications.

Patent Leather Vinyl is an upholstery weight fabric. Patent Leather Vinyl has a smooth, high gloss finish. The Patent Leather Vinyl we carry is 54" wide, and made of polyester with a lightweight cotton backing. Used for furniture.