I built this couch and did the cowhide thing. I did the upholstery myself, too. Got the hide from a local place that sells "cowboy" furniture and decor. The one I used was about 200 bux and is a full thickness hide with the full length fur. This couch gets sat on everyday in my office and has been in place since September. So far, no shedding and no complaints on the comfort, but it is in an air conditioned/heated office. The hide was a bit of a hassle to work with sewing wise, but I am a newbie upholsterer, so that probably has more to do with it than anything. LOL
Dude I say GO FOR IT!!!!!!!! I have a cow hide rug in my music room that has a HUGE Texas star on it! I wish I could do my seats like that, it's your car buddy do what you want but I dig it. Sam
FWIW this leather guide says the best hair on hide is from Brazil and it won't shed like Argentina stuff and they use better chemicals in the tanning process. It also says to keep it out of direct sunlight. Another website that sold hides said not to use them for daily use furntirure just accent pieces and they will shed. Makes sense to buy the best you can find.
Its a little itchy at first- I had a hair on hide seat done in my 49 pickup last year. Drove it daily and it held up great. Just make sure you have some good lap belts because they can be slippery in corners, almost lost some friends that way.
why don't you lighten up a bit there Francis? why get all butthurt we're talking about the hair on hide stuff? we aint talking about you
i believe the guy who made that is Pete he owns south west rod ans custom out of texas heres his youtube link he does how to videos you can ask him who did his and how they held up http://www.youtube.com/user/swrnc
Any ideas how to secure hide panels to door panels? The arm rests and window winder trim rings will be on there,but how to attach it to the rest of the panel so it doesn't sag or flap and loosen? Thanks.
I remember seeing a big Caddy convertible in the San Fernando Valley with cowhide seats, but I believe he had clear plastic seat covers installed over them. This was about 45 years ago, so I didn't have my digital camera with me at the time, to get a shot... Or, you could always go this route if you are concerned about shedding...
As a local supplier of beef cattle, I think it's a cool idea for an Amarillo caddy. My hides are black and white though
They sell it at Ikea in case anyone wanted to buy material. I was there with the ole lady and saw that they kept dropping the price every time we went back.
My lady just got a chair in her house done in cowhide....I sat down on it in my drawers. Ouch! Felt like needles!!!
Hahaha yeah I bought a chair at a charity auction made out of horns and hide.....That's why I went with a sueded hide...it is suede leather and is super plush
That is pretty freak'n cool. I'm thinking of doing the seat in my off topic '76 GMC "Big Dually" project in cowhide, so you're now my hero! Brian
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