How much is faux leather

Faux Leather fake leather is an artificial leather material used as an upholstery fabric alternative to genuine leather. Faux leather is produced using a polymer plastic coating applied to a fabric backing.

In the process of production a grain is embossed on the surface to provide a leather-like appearance resulting in a very durable, easy clean and inexpensive alternative to using leather hides for furniture and automotive upholstery. There are numerous variations and specifications of synthetic leather to choose from depending on your project. Many consumers will choose a polyurethane faux leather commonly referred to as a pu leather as it is extremely supple and is hard for many to differentiate from genuine leather.

Synthetic leather upholstery fabric became available when the Naugahyde brand was invented in When a leather fabric appearance is desired or perhaps when the need is for an extremely durable furniture covering, faux leather fabric is often the ideal choice. At DecorativeFabricsDirect. What is faux leather? Faux leather is a synthetic fabric made to resemble the look and feel of real leather but is much more affordable. Imitation leather is commonly used for upholstery and is referred to under the following names: vinyl leather imitation leather fake leather artificial leather synthetic leather leather alternative pu leather upholstery vinyl leatherette.

PU leather is a type of faux leather but different from a vinyl leather fabric in that pu leather is produced by coating a backing fabric with a flexible polymer which produces a very soft fabric that is hard for many to differentiate from genuine leather.

Polyurethanes and semi polyurethanes offer a wonderful alternative to genuine leathers, yet at a much lower price point. Polyurethane leather often referred to a PU Leather and semi polyurethanes differ from typical faux leather upholstery vinyl by having a more supple, softer hand like that of a true leather. How do you clean faux leather? Because of its manufactured plastic-based composition, faux leather is extremely easy to clean and highly water and stain resistant.

Imitation leather can be used in almost any area where leather used: clothing, furniture and vehicle interiors. In contrast to genuine leather, you can buy leatherette by the metre, making cutting out so much easier. There is no difference in quality, but the production process is significantly shorter as no time-consuming tanning is necessary. As with genuine hides, you can buy imitation leather either in leather or suede effects. Faux leather is generally characterised by a textile wrong side and smooth plastic coating with a grain effect.

Real leather has an irregular grain, whereas faux leather is made using a machine, which creates a more regular finish. Faux leather melts at high temperatures and can burn, whereas leather will only glow and harden without catching flame.

Coated leatherettes only feature limited breathability, in contrast to breathable leather. But imitation leather can be micro-perforated, which allows them to let water vapour through. Faux leather is also UV-resistant and does not bleach when exposed to sunlight. You can also buy quilted imitation leather. This looks especially elegant on car seats and panellings. The main benefits of faux leather are its water-resistance and durability.

We recommend using a high-quality polyester thread. You should avoid using pins as much as possible. As with real leather, pins are not the best way to secure this fabric. Instead, use clips like Wonderclips. Laminated fabrics like faux leather can sometimes stick to your presser foot, and it can be hard to move the fabric through the machine when sewing on the coated side.

You can remedy this by using a Teflon presser foot. You can also simply stick some washi tape to the bottom of your regular foot. A third option: Take a piece of tissue paper and place it between your fabric and presser foot then simply sew over it and remove it afterwards. This way, you can guarantee the faux leather will move through your machine and get an even seam.

As faux leather can be made from a range of different materials, your finished projects may require different care. PVC is the most long lasting, but you have to keep in mind that the softeners will become weaker over time, and the material will become brittle. As PVC is very sensitive to oils and fat, you should never use leather care products for imitation leather; it will accelerate the aging process.

This will not only make your leatherette retain its lustre for longer, but also make cleaning much easier. To remove dirt in the grain, you should use a soft brush. Some imitation leathers are machine washable. In this case, we recommend using a laundry liquid suitable for delicates and using a delicates cycle on your washing machine. But beware! Never spin or tumble dry imitation leather!

This type of fabric also has a one way stretch to it which really lends itself to making skirts, dresses, leggings and lots more besides. Plus it comes with a lycra backing which makes it luxuriously smooth against your skin.

Bought by the metre and sent as one piece, there's massive variety of colors available so you're bound to find something to suit. Or, order faux leather squares to add the finishing touches to your crafts. Skip to main content. Shop by Category. Shop by Color. See All - Shop by Color. Best Selling. All Auction Buy It Now. View: Gallery View. Buying Format All Listings filter applied.