Our quality features.
Built with integrity to last... and look good doing it.
“BENCH-MADE” is a term that signifies products that are handcrafted, not mass-produced. Although the term may be out of style, it perfectly describes our approach to building furniture.
Even though you can’t see it, we put just as much care into the interior of our furniture as we do the outside.
Depending on the design of an individual style, our frames are made of responsibly forested Pacific Northwest alder hardwood or of Forest Stewardship Council (FCS) certified hardwood plywood. The hardwood plywood frames we produce also meet the strict standards of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). We create the frames in our own mill and reinforce our frames to ensure proper tailoring of the selected covering. And, while others may not use corner blocks at all, we use many in each sofa to enhance its strength. We use tempered steel sinuous springs for both the back and seating suspension to properly support the back and seat cushions, distribute seating support evenly and provide excellent comfort. Sinuous spring suspension is superior to webbing suspension, as the springs have tremendous longevity and webbing can stretch and lose resiliency. Our upholstery padding and cushions are made of the best materials, providing both comfort and resiliency. The cushions are sewn with bonded nylon threads that are strong and flexible and held neatly in place on the decking with velcro lining material. And our outside panels are padded to add softness and to prevent the leather or fabric from sagging.
FABRIC CARE
Important notice
Failure to follow the conditions listed in this care section of our warranty could result in limitations to the coverage.
We suggest a maintenance program that includes frequent dusting to eliminate dust from clogging the pores of the leather and monthly cleaning with a clean cotton cloth and lukewarm distilled water. For full aniline leathers, we recommend only dusting the furniture. Please contact a retailer should you not know what type of leather you have purchased.
It is very important to note that you should never place your leather furniture near a source of heat or expose it to direct or indirect sunlight as it will fade.
FOR SPOTS AND STAINS
Be sure to follow the cleaning method recommended for the particular fabric on your piece. Simply look for the cleaning code, which will be found on the Elite Leather Company label underneath the seat cushion. The label will indicate the cleaning code of W, WS, S or X.
eVERYDAY uPKEEP
With all fabric types, we recommend that you frequently vacuum or brush lightly to remove dust and grime to prevent overall soiling. When an overall soiled condition has been reached, use a professional furniture cleaning service.
Cleaning Spots and Spills
Use the Cleaning Code as your guide to clean spots and spills. No matter what cleaning method you use, always be sure to pre-test a small area before proceeding.
CAUTION: Never remove cushion covers for separate dry cleaning or washing, even though they do have zippers. Do not use bleach or any tumble method cleaning service, as this may shrink, destroy the fabric backing, otherwise damage the fabric.
Cleaning Code W
You can spot clean using the foam only from a water-based cleaning agent, such as a mild detergent or non-solvent upholstery shampoo. Apply foam with a soft rag or brush in a circular motion. Vacuum when dry.
Cleaning Code WS
Spot clean with a mild solvent and upholstery shampoo, or the foam from a mild detergent. When using a solvent or dry cleaning product, follow instructions carefully and clean only in a well-ventilated room. Avoid any product which contains carbon tetrachloride, which is highly toxic.
Cleaning Code S
Spot clean using a mild WATER-FREE solvent or dry cleaning product. Clean only in a well-ventilated room and avoid any product containing carbon tetrachloride, which is highly toxic. Do not use bleach at any time. The use of steam or water- based cleaners may cause excessive shrinking or staining of this particular fabric.
Cleaning Code X
ONLY clean this type of fabric by vacuuming or light brushing. Water-based cleaners or solvent-based cleaning agents OF ANY KIND may cause excessive shrinking, staining, or distortion of the surface pile and therefore should not be used.
Glossary of Fabric Terms
Colorway: Any given fabric is available in a specific range of colors or color combinations. This scope of limited color variety for each fabric is called its colorway.
Different colours highlight the fabric in other dimensions. The look imparted by one colour differs from another in the same fabric and pattern. So you need to choose colours wisely when choosing upholstery according to your personal needs.
Deck: In Upholstery Glossary it’s the framed platform under the seat cushion of an upholstered chair or sofa is the deck. The deck of expensive upholstery is commonly covered in plain fabric.
It is made of firm and durable furniture with paddings, webbings, and springs in place. The deck is usually not felt when you seat yourself on the sofa cushion. Unique dust-free fabrics in neutral colours are used for covering the deck nowadays.
Fabric Backing: The addition of an extra knitted fabric sheet beneath an upholstered fabric in Upholstery Glossary is called fabric backing. This is done to provide additional support to the upholstery fabric to prevent it from sagging or stretching unnecessarily.
Such fabric backing makes the upholstery fabric an “all-purpose” fabric with higher resiliency and stability. It increases the lifespan of fragile upholstery fabrics, for example, chenille. Fabric handling ability is improved with decreased seam slippage.
Gimp: Gimp is a small, tightly stitched ornamental piece used to conceal areas on upholstered furniture where the fabric meets the wooden frame. Seams, nailheads, tacks are easily hidden by decorative gimp pieces.
In simple terminology, gimp is a small bunched fabric piece of cotton, wool or silk with a wire cord in between to give a finishing edge to high-end upholstery.
Ground-Interlining: In Upholstery Glossary the ground is the base background colour of any fabric. Interlining is the insertion of a fabric layer between the inner foundation lining and the outer upholstery fabric. The interlining reinforces the original upholstery fabric, improving the fabric’s durability and long-term use. Lightweight upholstery fabrics commonly use this.
Pattern match: Pieces or units of different fabrics are stitched together to create an even pattern flow throughout the upholstery furniture, in Upholstery Glossary this is called a pattern match. Pattern match needs to be done carefully such that the joining of two fabrics is not very evident.
This requires more fabric material for use. The pattern match is commonly seen in branded and expensive upholstery since it requires expertise and good knowledge of pattern colour matching for a unified look.
Railroading: Railroading refers to how a pattern or design is woven into the fabric. In conventional patterned fabrics, the pattern direction is vertical, whereas, in railroaded material, the pattern direction is horizontal.
Railroaded fabric comes in use in the case of large and long upholstery like long sofa sets. The advantage of railroaded fabrics is that seams are avoided. Large upholstered pieces can be adorned with ease with such fabric. The pattern runs from one selvage edge to the other selvage edge.
Repeat: Patterned fabrics commonly have a single unit of pattern design repeated throughout the fabric. The dimension of a pattern depends upon the type of pattern. A single complete unit of pattern is termed a repeat.
The larger the pattern, the more material you require on the upholstery to give a specific look. Large patterns require more yardage on upholstery than a solid colour fabric.
Selvage: Selvage in Upholstery Glossary is the seam edge of a fabric that is tightly woven. It is the self-finished edge of the fabric. This selvage edge has inbuilt finishing to prevent the fabric edge from distortion or fraying and protect the threads in the fabric.
If we want the fabric to drape smoothly, such selvage edges should be cut off when upholstering any furniture piece. Additional finishing such as hem or bias tape is not required for selvage edges.
Tight backup to the roll warp: Tight backup upholstery refers to upholstery that does not have any cushions. The back or seat of upholstery is self-designed and backed up properly and tightly.
It gives a classy and tailored outlook to the furniture piece and is sturdy, and It does not have loosely attached fabric or cushions. Such upholstery is not very comfortable or springy on seating. Plus, it creates cleaning difficulties. Up to the roll, fabric refers to the pattern running vertically.
Weft: The weft is also called filling in upholstery. They are the yarns that run horizontally. It inter-laces with the warp to produce the woven fabric. The warp and weft are perpendicular to each other. Warp and weft are two major components in weaving any fabric. In Upholstery Glossary a single unit of the weft thread crossing the warp is called a pick.
Welting: A cord enclosed by the fabric used to outline the seams of upholstery fabric on furniture is called welting. In Upholstery Glossary Welting is done to outline the edges and define the silhouette of the upholstery. It reinforces the seams.
Smooth welted edges are exclusively seen in high-end upholstery. When the welted edges are made from the main body fabric of the upholstery piece, it is called “Self-Welting”. If the fabric for welting is different from the fabric used in the main body of the upholstery, then it creates a dramatic look that is eye-catching and unique. Patterned fabrics are bias cut for welting.
Nailhead: A nailhead is a decorative ornament like the head of a nail that is used in upholstery. It is used along the edges to define the curves and valleys in the upholstery piece.
Also, you can easily ignore seams by using nailheads. It is available in a variety of designs and colours. It lends an ornamental border to a solid piece of furniture. Nailheads in gold, silver or brass impart a vintage look.
Buttoning: Buttoning an upholstery piece gives it a unique touch of embellishment. Buttons can be enclosed with exciting and vibrant patterned fabrics. They can be in float buttons popping out on the upholstery fabric.
Alternatively, you can use the button in recessed areas of the upholstery to uplift the valley look. Studded jeweled buttons are the new trendy fashion in upholstery.
Types of Fabric
cotton
Cotton is the perfect upholstery fabric for families. The material is resistant to fading and wear and tear, so the kiddos can be a little rambunctious without giving their parents a heart attack. What’s more, cotton has extreme breathability. That means it won’t become too hot or stuffy over time.
FLAT-WOVEN FABRIC
Flat-woven fabric is material that has minimal surface release or texture. You may be thinking, “Well, that sounds incredibly boring.” This statement is utterly false! Flat-woven fabric enhances a room’s elegance with its simplicity. Perhaps the most convincing reason to use flat-woven fabric is that it’s performance is amazing, meaning it is really easy to clean. Here at The Fabric Outlet, we pride ourselves on the cleanability of our materials. You can spill on this fabric or get it dirty without worrying that you’ve ruined it forever.
CHENILLE
If you want something with a little more texture and super soft hand, then chenille is the way to go. Chenille has pile-ups within the fabric that create movement and dimension. The material is soft to the touch, and it’s perfect for people who want to cuddle up on the sofa with their favorite book. The Fabric Outlet has plenty of this upholstery fabric in different colors and patterns.
NATURAL LINEN
Isn’t it the worst when your sofa’s material sticks to your body? Ugh! It’s so uncomfortable and can be painful when getting off a piece of furniture. Luckily, natural linen upholstery fabric has amazing airflow, so it won’t stick to your body. The material is also excellent for absorbing moisture, so you don’t need to stress about getting a little sweaty on the couch during the summertime.
VELVET KNIT
Velvet fabric is so “in” right now! Many interior design magazines show the fabric being used on sofas in gorgeous bright colors, and as drapery. Velvet is soft and gently moves across your fingers when you touch it. Also, contrary to what you may think, velvet is extremely high performance. Pet friendly, kid friendly, and extremely rich in color – velvet material provides warmth on a rainy day.
LEATHER CARE
Important notice
Failure to follow the conditions listed in this care section of our warranty could result in limitations to the coverage.
We suggest a maintenance program that includes frequent dusting to eliminate dust from clogging the pores of the leather and monthly cleaning with a clean cotton cloth and lukewarm distilled water. For full aniline leathers, we recommend only dusting the furniture. Please contact a retailer should you not know what type of leather you have purchased.
It is very important to note that you should never place your leather furniture near a source of heat or expose it to direct or indirect sunlight as it will fade.
FOR SPOTS AND STAINS
Blot excess liquid immediately with a clean absorbent cotton cloth. If necessary, use clean lukewarm distilled or purified water (except on full aniline leathers), gently blot the spill with a clean cotton cloth, and allow to air dry. If water is used, clean the entire area where the spill occurred, (for example, the entire seat cushion or entire arm). Do not dry wet areas with hair dryers, etc. but allow to dry naturally. For our full aniline leathers, blot excess liquid immediately with a clean absorbent cotton cloth. If a stain appears it will usually dissipate in time.
FOR STUBBORN SPOTS AND STAINS
Use a non-alkaline solution of mild clear soap and clean distilled or purified lukewarm water. Apply the soap to a clean damp sponge and wash the affected area, then rinse well with clear lukewarm water. Let air dry naturally. Never use hairdryer etc. Always try the cleaning method in a small hidden area first. Except for our full aniline leathers, follow instructions in the paragraph above.
FOR BUTTER OIL AND GREASE STAINS
Wipe excess butter, oil or grease off the leather with a clean, dry cloth, then leave alone as the spot should dissipate into the leather over a period of time. Do not apply water to wash a butter, oil or grease spot.
DO NOT USE
Don’t use any products not suggested for use in this warranty. These products include, but are not limited to: leather cleaners, ScotchgardTM, saddle soaps, oils, abrasive cleaners, soaps, furniture polish, varnish or ammonia water.
The leather has already been permanently preserved in the tanning process and needs no maintenance other than the simple cleaning recommended. The use of leather care kits will void any leather claim under this warranty. Should you choose to use a leather care kit to maintain your furniture, we strongly recommend that any product you use come with its own comprehensive leather warranty. The product warranty would assume the leather portion of our warranty which would be voided. The remaining portions of the warranty are still valid.
NOTE
Most liquids will be initially repelled by the leather, but, if left to stand over an extended period of time, they will be absorbed. Therefore, it is very important to wipe up spills immediately. Should the spill be absorbed, in most instances it will dissipate in time, just as human skin will absorb and
TOUCH UP AND REPAIR
Leather is by far the most durable upholstery material available and is extremely difficult to scratch, however if the leather is scratched or scuffed by a sharp object, it can possibly be repaired by a Leather Representative Specialist.
Types of Leather
Full Aniline
Also called true aniline, naked aniline, pure aniline, unprotected, natural.
Prized for its soft, buttery texture and silken feel, full aniline leather absorbs minor scratches and nicks gracefully, developing a rich patina over time. Elite Leather uses only the world’s finest cowhides which display natural hallmarks such as healed scars, stretch marks, and wrinkles. These unique “beauty marks” reflect the authenticity of the leather. Transparent dyes enhance, rather than conceal, its character.
Semi-Aniline
Also called aniline-plus and protected leather.
It takes an additional step to turn aniline leather into semi-aniline. A pigmented topcoat is applied to help ward off spills and stains. This gives you the best of both worlds: the soft, natural “hand” of aniline leather plus enhanced cleanability. You can still see the natural markings and grain of the hide, yet the leather is more protected from your environment. This type of leather is the ideal choice for high-energy households where accidents are common.
SPECIAL EFFECTS LEATHER
For those seeking a one-of-a-kind look, special techniques can be used to emboss, hand-antiqued, color, and distress the leathers. For example, the leather can be hand-rubbed for a smoky, vintage look. Or infused with wax so that when it’s pulled during the upholstery process, a collage of light and dark areas appear. No matter which technique is used, the leather takes on a remarkable character all its own.
Nubuck
With its sensuous, velvety feel and lush appearance, nubuck leather appeals to all the senses. Top grain aniline leathers are gently buffed to remove the top cell layer. The result is a whisper-soft nap that delivers almost sinful tactile pleasure. The buffing only slightly obscures the hide’s color variations and natural markings. Nubuck is dramatically different in feel and quality than suede, which can’t match its strength and integrity.
Glossary of Leather Terms
Aniline Dyed: Leather that has been through-dyed by immersion in a dyebath and has no finish pigmentation.
Full-Aniline/Pure Aniline: Leather that receives its only color from dyes and typically exhibits natural characteristics.
Semi-Aniline/Aniline-Plus: Leather which has been aniline dyed, then has a pigmentation added to the grain (protected).
Full Grain: Leather surface that is totally natural, without any buffing/snuffing or embossing.
Top Grain: The top layer of a hide after the splitting process.
Corrected Grain: Leather from which the grain layer has been partially removed by buffing/snuffing and upon which a new surface has been built by various finishes.
Split: The under portion of a hide that has been split into two or more thicknesses.
Nubuck: Leather made from the top grain by buffing/snuffing the grain side to give a velvety surface.
Suede: Leather made from the split by buffing/snuffing to give a velvety surface.
Not Leather: Bonded, Bicast, Reconstituted, Blended, Pleather, Vinyl, and Vegan leather.
Buffed leather: Leather from which the top surface of the grain has been removed by an abrasive or bladed cylinder or, less generally, by hand.
Crocking: Transferring of color or finish from leather to other materials by rubbing or abrasion.
Crust: Leather that has been tanned, dyed and dried, but not finished.
Embossed Leather: Leather embossed or printed with a raised pattern either imitating or resembling the grain pattern of some animal, or being quite unrelated to a natural grain pattern.
Finish: The final process or processes in the manufacture of dressed leather.
Hand: A term that describes leather's softness and feel.
Nubuck: Cattle hide leather, buffed on the grain side to give a velvety surface; white or colored.
Patina: A surface luster that develops on pure anilines and nubucks; grows more beautiful with the passing of time.
Pull-up: Refers to leather that derives color from dyes, waxes, and/or oils. When this leather is pulled during upholstering, the oils/waxes dissipate and become lighter in those areas.
Raw Hide: A hide that has only been treated to preserve it prior to tanning.
Sauvage/Kela: A two-tone effect that adds depth and character. Can be a tone-on-tone or contrasting effect.
Shrunken Grain: Leather specially tanned so as to shrink the grain layer and having a grain surface of uneven folds and valleys.
Tanning: The processing of perishable raw hides and skins by the use of tanning materials into the permanent and imputrescible form of leather.
Vegetable Tanned: Leather tanned exclusively with vegetable tanning agents or with such materials together with small amounts of other agents used merely to assist the tanning process of to improve or modify the leather, but not in sufficient amounts to alter notably the essential vegetable character of the leather.
Waxed (waxy) Leather: a. Upper Leather finished on the flesh side and dyed; vegetable tanned with a high content of hard grease, though not necessarily wax. b. Leather bearing a wax finish.
Wet Blue Leather: Leather which, after chrome tanning, has not been further processed and is sold in the wet condition.