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The Complete Guide to Purchasing American Made Custom Leather Sofas

When investing in new living room furniture, few options exude luxury and comfort like a high-quality leather sofa. The supple feel and sleek look of fine leather upholstery simply can’t be replicated. Even better, opting for a custom made leather sofa allows you to select each detail to create your ideal sofa. From the leather grade and color to the frame style and cushion fill, it’s all up to you.

For discerning furniture shoppers, the pinnacle is combining customization with made in America quality craftsmanship. This ensures your leather sofa is not only designed to your specifications but also built to last by skilled artisans. No shortcuts, no outsourcing.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about purchasing American made custom leather sofas. You’ll learn how they are constructed, types of leather, customization options, and features that ensure durability.

We’ll also highlight one of our favorite American leather sofa brands - Uptown Sebastian. By partnering directly with LOOMLAN, Uptown Sebastian offers elevated made to order leather sofas without the typical high markups and wait times.

Read on for an in-depth look at the world of American made custom leather sofas so you can shop with confidence.

How Custom Leather Sofas Are Made in the USA

Authentic custom leather sofas are bench made one at a time in America using generations-old techniques perfected by master craftsmen. This bench made process cannot be replicated by mass production factories overseas focused on efficiency over quality.

Each sofa frame starts with kiln-dried North American hardwoods, joined together with double dowel construction and corner blocks for strength. Springs are tied by hand using Italian webbing cloth.

With custom orders, the craftsman tailors every step to your selected size, leather type, leg style, cushion fill, and other options you choose. It takes skilled artisans working in tandem to cut, sew, stuff, and upholster an entire sofa by hand per your custom specifications.

This meticulous bench made process typically takes 4-6 weeks. But by ordering directly from the maker through LOOMLAN, you avoid the typical 12+ week wait times and hefty retail markups. More custom luxury, less hassle.

Upholstery Leather Types Explained

When going custom, one of your biggest decisions is choosing the leather. Full grain? Top grain? Aniline dyed? Different leathers impart different aesthetics, feels, and durability.

Here is a breakdown of the main types of leather used for upholstery:

Full Grain Leather

Made from the outer layer of cowhide with the “grain” intact
Most durable and natural looking leather option
Develops a rich patina over time
Costs $$$ but ages beautifully

Top Grain Leather

Split from the layer under the grain then sanded and refinished
Supple feel but slight loss of natural grain character
More affordable, uniform appearance
Budget-friendly choice for custom sofas

Aniline Dyed Leather

Subcategory of full grain or top grain leather
Dyed through without opaque finish coat
Shows natural markings for rugged beauty
Susceptible to staining unless treated
Softest feel exposing raw leather pores

Semi-Aniline Dyed Leather

Aniline dye plus thin topcoat for minor protection
Balances softness with some stain resistance
Natural look still shows but with more uniformity

Pigmented Leather

Full top grain immersed in opaque pigment
Most damage resistant type of leather
Stiffest hand feel, less breathable
Most budget friendly option

Within these categories, look for designations like “Italian”, “European”, or “South American” which indicate higher quality American-imported leather.

Uptown Sebastian uses only the finest top grain leather on their custom sofas for a great balance of quality, durability and value.

Customizable Sofa Frame & Leg Options

Beyond leather selection, customizing the frame and legs lets you control the sofa’s structural style:

Kiln-Dried Hardwood Frame

The frame defines the sofa’s shape, feel and longevity. American-made frames use layers of North American kiln-dried hardwoods like poplar and alder for stability. Doweled and glued corner blocks add strength while maintaining flexibility.

Curved Roll Arms

Rolled arms create laid-back comfort. Their gentle curve makes arms wider without sharp corners that can tear leather. A classic style refined over decades by master sofa builders.

Straight Arms

For a more modern or transitional look, opt for straight arms with crisp 90 degree angles. Tailor the height and width.

Square Legs

The most common leg style, square tapered legs come in various finishes like walnut or black. They add subtle base detailing.

Round Legs

Cylindrical rounded legs present a contemporary streamlined profile. Often with polished metal finishes.

Splayed Legs

Legs that splay outwards embody mid-century or retro flair. Made modern with exposed woods.

Tapered Legs

Legs tapered narrower at the floor provide lightness and elevation. Work with ornate to minimalist frames.

No Legs - Skirt Base

For sofas sitting directly on the floor, skirted bases offer seamless flow and stability.

Customizable Cushion Support & Fill Options

Cushion support defines comfort. Don’t take shortcuts here. Custom made means specifying the exact cushion fills and construction.

8-Way Hand Tied Coil Springs

The gold standard of artisanal quality. Each coil spring is hand-tied to the frame in 8 directions using twine to independently respond to weight. Prevent sagging.

Pocket Coils

Coil springs encased in fabric pockets allow for contouring while minimizing motion transfer. More affordable but still durable.

Webbing Suspension

Sturdy durable cloth webbing strings across the frame give uniform flexibility. Traditional old world craftsmanship.

Down Feather Wrap

Individual pocketed coils nested in ethereal down wrapped in a feather bed for that “sleeping on a cloud” plushness. Pure luxury.

High Resiliency Foam

For firmness, specialized HR polyurethane foam evenly distributes weight without breaking down. Added support.

Dacron Fiber Fill

Resilient synthetic Dacron polyester fibers fluff nicely and resist matting. Great for back cushions.

With Uptown Sebastian, you can select premium cushion materials like 8-way hand tied coils and feather down wraps for indulgent comfort.

Customizable Sofa Size, Shape and Upholstery

Beyond construction, customize size, form, and upholstery for your perfect sofa:

Sofa Size

Standalone sofas from 60” to 96” lengths
Super-sized sectionals combine multiple pieces
Make sure sofa size fits room scale and layout

Arm Styles

Rounded rolled arms
Straight arms for modern edge
No arms for armless streamlined shape

Back Styles

Low, mid and high backs for support
Tight back for modern edge
Loose back with plush loose cushions

Modular Pieces

Armless sectional pieces for flexibility
Ottomans, chaises, corner chairs
Reconfigure shapes anytime

Upholstery Fabric

Beyond leather, choose upholstery like wool, linen, chenille
Accent with fabrics unlikely on mass market sofas
Contrast leather and fabric pieces in one sofa

Why American Made Matters

Beyond the customization, purchasing a leather sofa made domestically comes with peace of mind from quality craftsmanship.

Benefits of American Made Custom Leather Sofas:

Meticulous handmade construction using century-old techniques
Highest quality materials from North American hardwoods to premium leather
Built to last with sturdy kiln-dried frames and 8-way hand tied springs
Customization options unavailable on mass produced sofas
Direct partnerships between artisans and customers
Supports small businesses and American jobs
Shorter wait times by ordering directly from the maker
Avoid offshore manufacturing quality issues

For furniture that becomes part of your family's daily life, an American made leather sofa is a worthwhile investment in quality.

Introducing Uptown Sebastian - Handcrafted Leather Sofas Made in the USA

After learning all about the world of custom American made leather sofas, we are thrilled to introduce you to one of our favorite leather sofa brands here at LOOMLAN - Uptown Sebastian.

Hailing from North Carolina, Uptown Sebastian consists of a collective of third and fourth generation master upholsterers focused on the craft of bench made furniture. With over 80 years of furniture making in their blood, this team of artisans creates heirloom quality custom leather sofas entirely made to order in the USA.

By partnering directly with LOOMLAN, Uptown Sebastian offers their elevated custom furniture at exceptional values by avoiding retail markups. This makes their American made leather sofas accessible to discerning homeowners everywhere.

Uptown Sebastian Customization Steps:

Uptown Sebastian makes the customization process easy through the following steps:

Select Leather Grade and Color

Choose from top grain and full grain leathers
Options like supple aniline dyed leathers
Rich colors like chocolate brown, chestnut, black

Select Sofa Size + Shape

Standalone sofas in multiple lengths and depths
Combine modular sections for customizable shapes
Make sure to measure your space

Select Frame and Leg Style

Classic rolled arms or straight arms
Tapered hardwood legs, metal legs, or sleek base
Tailor leg finish from walnut to black

Select Cushion Fill and Support

Highest quality 8-way hand tied coil springs
Down feather wrap or Dacron fiber options
Determine preferred seat firmness and depth

Select Orientation and Features

Left or right facing chaise configuration
Integrated cupholders, USB ports, and outlets
Add accent pillows, nailheads, contrast welt

With these simple steps, you can specify every facet of your custom leather sofa.

Shop Uptown Sebastian’s Leather Sofa Collection on LOOMLAN

We encourage you to browse Uptown Sebastian’s expansive leather sofa selection on LOOMLAN showcasing all their custom made to order options.

Whether you desire a sleek mid-century modern look in full grain aniline leather, a rolled arm transitional sofa in chocolate brown, or a sprawling media sectional - the possibilities are truly endless with Uptown Sebastian.

LOOMLAN makes it easy to visualize your perfect custom configurations in your space with the augmented reality tool. Customize until your heart is content!

Count on the team of leather experts at Uptown Sebastian to guide you through the customization process from leather grade selection through final delivery. You’ll receive dedicated customer service and complete transparency throughout.

Invest in a custom leather sofa made just for you in America’s heartland by the artisans of Uptown Sebastian. A direct partnership brought to you by LOOMLAN.