I apply a layer of cotton. In this case I used up some of the excess when I was padding the front. Make sure that you butt two edges together. I try to make them equal size pieces. You don’t feather the cotton in the middle but you do along the outside edge. Here again you don’t want cotton on this outside edge where you are going to staple it down to the frame. The back of this chair is heart shaped like the front. It would have been neat to be able to trim my fabric to that shape but I am unable to because I have to hide “tack holes” that appear to have been the original line. So I will have to be satisfied with having it squared off like it was to hide those holes. Here again you want to make sure where you are aware of where you are stapling. All time I was applying the front and rear I have tried to be conscience of how my pattern was laying. The back is turning out fine and with a couple of adjustments so will the front. After I have made the needed adjustments I will finish stapling the fabric down and then trim it of any excess. The invaluable tool that I will use for this purpose is my handy dandy pocket knife and a small hand held whetstone. I use my pocket knife for many reasons. I keep it sharp and prefer it over a razor blade. When using a razor blade and you run it across a staple it is pretty much useless. If I do that with my knife I simply sharpen it. You don’t need an expensive one. I think I paid around 5 bucks for this one at NAPA. I will finish off the seat and the back, make the needed adjustments and then I will talk to you about how we are going to “finish” the trimmed edges and hide the staples.