Is there a way to fix ripped leather parson chairs?

I have 4 out of 6 leather parson chairs. They have all ripped in the last 2 months, they are 6 years old. One reupholster she couldn't do them due to the seams????
They are sturdy and I don't want to discard them. Ideas on how to fix them????
Ripped leather seat, parson chair.
  14 answers
  • Rachel Rachel on Feb 10, 2014
    I'm not sure about fixing the leather. Have you tried getting a second opinion from another upholsterer? Another option would be slip covers. There are some really pretty options out there that would make your space look elegant, and may cost less than having all of the chairs redone. Good luck! :)
  • Rishia O'Neill Rishia O'Neill on Feb 10, 2014
    Agree with rachel all points. Take to a good upholsterer for their advice. Even a seat only tailored leather slipcover an option. depends on value of chair to start with, how well made.
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Feb 12, 2014
    There used to be a product advertised on TV several years ago whereby you brushed some stuff on the crack, then covered with a cloth and applied heat with an iron. I can't remember what is called anymore. But if you Google "leather and vinyl repair products", you may be able to find an answer. Good luck.
  • Jennifer G Jennifer G on Feb 12, 2014
    If the leather is cracking on all your chairs at the same time, it sounds like the leather is getting brittle and needs to be conditioned. A good leather conditioner will help prevent more cracks and tears. Of course, that doesn't help fix the damage that is already done. Repairing that type of tear in leather is nearly impossible to do without being highly noticeable and it may not last with the stress of sitting. You'll have to remove the upholstery, apply a patch on the underside, glueing the leather securely and let cure, then re-attach the leather to the chair. It's a lot of work and the results may not last. I suggest re-upolstering the chairs with new fabric or leather. The person you took the chairs to said she couldn't do them due to the seams?? That doesn't make a lot of sense. I would definitely get a second opinion. If you are open to replacing the leather with fabric, you might have more options (and it will be cheaper too).
  • Patricia Pierson Patricia Pierson on Feb 12, 2014
    I agree with Jennifer G 100%. There really isn't anything you can do except re-upholster them. If you still have the receipt for the chairs, you may want to take them back. I would also try to contact the company that made them. Leather should not rip that fast. Yes, you need to keep it conditioned but this was to soon.
  • Kim Dagenais Kim Dagenais on Feb 12, 2014
    Getting the chair re-upholstered could actually cost more than the purchase price of the chair. Get estimates first, and I do remember too that there was a product on the market that Liliana is talking about. Google leather repair kit or something like that on Google maybe and see what you come up with. Good luck
  • Camille Carlin Camille Carlin on Feb 12, 2014
    My cousin in Florida had a rip in her leather sofa. I asked the local automobile upholsterer to recommend a repair person. The recommended person came to her house and repaired it so that you were unable to see where it had been repaired. My cuz was thrilled. Do some checking in your area before you give up on the chair. Good Luck.
  • Sidney Sidney on Feb 12, 2014
    I used one of those leather repair kits once. It's nearly impossible to iron the spot without touching the surrounding surface. It will burn leather or melt vinyl. Like most "seen on TV" things, it's not nearly as great as it claims to be.
    • Wanda sinnema Wanda sinnema on Feb 13, 2014
      @Sidney I know almost everything they show on TV is not as easy as it looks.....but,here is a TIP: I have a SMALL CRAFT-SEWING IRON I have used lots of other things. It has a point and is about 1 inch of hot surface..... most sewing centers have them.....
  • Wanda sinnema Wanda sinnema on Feb 13, 2014
    I would talk to the store where you bought them. HERE IS AN FYI / TIP...... for any others reading this,,,,,,, Reminder there are different grades of leather. KEEP OUT of SUN....It drys leather out. Also, much of todays leather furnature is only part leather,,,, not that this is the case..... many sofas and recliners the SEAT and SEAT BACK are leather, the rest of NOT.... which is sad...It has to say ALL LEATHER or 100% leather.....
  • Charlotte Belange Charlotte Belange on Aug 15, 2014
    take the seat off the chair, see how its stapled then remove cover take to fabric store so you can find leather
    • Emily Rose Emily Rose on Jun 12, 2017

      I would go to a shop that does boat seats and boat tops. They would have material that would be right for a redo.

  • Julie Julie on Aug 28, 2014
    It's not a fix but Tenaious Tape works great at sealing rips so they don't get worse and it comes in clear or brown. It's sold on Amazon
  • Susan Lightcap Susan Lightcap on Jan 01, 2015
    It appears from the photo that the "leather" is actually a compound material made of bits of leather that are ground, mixed with an adhesive, and bonded to a woven backing. The iron on fix mentioned above is likely the only way to repair the splits. OTOH, if you like the chairs and they're generally well made, I'd have them reupholstered
  • Pat Keadle Gougler Pat Keadle Gougler on Jan 01, 2015
    Take an upholstery class. use the chairs as your project. Cost of class is probably less than having professional reupholsterer do them. Then you will know how. Find a class at the local tech center or some upholstery people give classes.
  • Nancy Nancy on Feb 10, 2015
    Dr Vinyl is the name of a company that repaired leather and vinyl at the car dealer I worked at. There are others. We had a leather chair and leather front car seat fixed by a local independent company. We have been pleased with the results. I would also ask them about how you can condition the chairs to prevent future problems.