Expert: Mark H. Miller - 10/20/2004

Question
I am taking apart an old sofa. It has got to be one of the best upholstery jobs ever.  I want to duplicate the beautiful channel backing.  How can I get the channels to be so tightly stuffed with what appears to be a single piece of batting.  Should I use cotton batting or new foam?  Any help is appreciated.  Thanking you in advance.

Answer
HI, use the existing batting, rather than new.  It is actually cotton that has been rolled.  Wrap the existing cotton filing with another new layer of cotton.  Push that into a nylon stocking,  use the nylon stocking to pull the new filler into the channel holding the stocking by the foot.  When the filler is in place in the new channel cut the foot off the stocking and leave the rest where it is since it is so thin that it can't be felt through the fabric,  good luck, I hope this helps.

Mark Miller