Expert: Mark H. Miller - 3/20/2009

Question
i have a dinning chair with a fabric back that contains only cushion in between.the chair has an outer wood trim with an1/8inch grove leading all the way around the wood trim.from what ican see the fabric was glued on under the grove then cushion then top fabric with fabric trim placed in groove.is that something you seen before and should i follow those steps to reupholster my unique chairs

Answer
Hello Tara,

You are right on as far as the order of upholstering goes.  First the outside back, then the padding and then the inside back.

The glue that you notice in the groove was there to hold the trim in place, either a single cord / welt or braid of some kind - which is glued in place when the upholstering portion of the job is completed.  

The fabric should be stapled in place,  to do that you need an air stapler with a thin nose that fits into that groove,  just to glue the fabric in place won't hold and tacks won't fit.  

The method of upholstering that you describe is actually fairly common and simple to do, but you need a staple gun that fits into the groove,  to remove the existing staples and fabric use a tool like an ice pick or small screw driver,  when you see the staples underneath the glue you will see what I am talking about.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of further help.

Mark Miller.