2000 Lexus Es300 Bottom Seat Cover Removal - ?

[ml30306]

I own a 2000 Lexus ES300, white with tan seats. My front driver side leather cushion cover it pretty cracked on the left side (looking down), the vinyl band underneath across has a huge patch missing and the under fabric is showing.

Does anyone have any clear forward directions on how to remove the bottom seat cover? Pictures are always great, but simply looking for the "how to". The service manual is just not clear enough.

Has anyone repaired any seat cracks before? There seems to be a number of repair kits and car upholstery companies out there, does anyone else have any experience with any of these? It just does not seem right to trash a leather seat cover and buy a new one for x hundred dollars.

Are the left and right front bottom cushion covers inter-changeable? Mine are not heated, but I think the outer sides both have holes for the seat control plugs. Is it possible to simply punch a new hole?