Tufting Fabric

I am interested in tufting fabric for the walls of my van. This is a lost art and I need to learn how. Any books, diagrams, instructions, or video clips would be much appreciated.

i use to manage a van shop in the day, we use to cover panel with foam, then stretch fabric over it, stapling to backside. grafting out button location. then they have these buttons, that you poke threw and bend tabs and staple. actually very easy to do.some of the old vans and trucks magazines had how to articles in them. hope this helps

Thanks for the rapid reply. Now for the dumb question... how do you fasten the cover panel to the wall once it is covered and tufted?

we use to use selftapping trim screws with washers, they where antique brass looking,

How do you hide the self-tapping screws? In the folds of the tufted material? How about those screws with the button fastener, would they work?

Here is a possible option when using screws
http://www.pro-dec.com/screw-caps-screw-covers/12-12-snap-caps

there are a few different ways to do tufting. The basic idea is to cut your wood panels apply foam wrap your fabric around....but not to tight, then figure were you want your buttons, mark on fabric and insert prong buttons covered with the fabric you want. When figuring were to place buttons try to have some placed exactly were the ribs of your van are or any mounting surface(metal). You can get special button caps that match the other buttons you had custom made, these custom button caps allow you to put a self tapping screw in fastening it to your ribs and mounting surface then snap the cap over the screw and it just looks like a regular button.
Our you could do diamond tufting, more work but a classic look (myfav) www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO8RelxcY-s
Do one panel at a time.....by time your done your first panel you will feel more confident with the whole project at hand.

Good Luck