The chair is a large concave curve, in one piece with corded edge and side panels. Of course, in imitation leather. I can't get it tight on the extreme seat curve, and at my wit's end. It has 4 buttons across the headrest, and 4 across the seat, but no pleats or seams
Sounds like a neat chair. Danish furniture can be tricky especially a concave curve in vinyl. A picture sure would help. And you'll get a lot more responses if you post in general discussion. All I can tell you without seeing it is try using a hot blow dryer to soften the vinyl while you pull a little at a time up and down and side to side. I know the feeling if you pull to much it'll bridge and not enough it wrinkles. It's got to be just right.
Thanks for your help - I may get a picture posted (it's stripped, of course) because I need everyone's ideas before I try a second time. I am debating covering the cotton first to secure it; and or taking the cording and the sides apart and just doing the face piece first. I have been thinking about it for 2 weeks!
Here's another idea I have. When doing a barrel chair the instinct is to first pull it side to side to help get the slack out. What I do is first loosely base tack it with about 12 staples. This gets it centered and holds it in place. Then I tighten it, first the top then the bottom. When this is done I pull side to side just enough to get the wrinkles out. To tell if it's tight enough, push in the center and see if it wrinkles.
Is their one continuous piece of fabric from the bottom of the frame to the back of the chair? If their is I can see why your having a problem. Most manufactures would put a border on the front of the seat.