Reupholstering a Chair

I've tried several times to nail these wily decorative panels to the front of the arms, every time I try, even with a mallet, even by putting a flat surface over the front, even after reinforcing the inside shape with extra plywood, the nails pop through the top of the fabric. So I gave up and just sewed them onto the front of the arms. It was a very frustrating few days. I can only imagine the original carpenters put a metal strip inside to hammer on, and then removed it. But I only thought of that after I had sewed them on.



It is annoying to me that I can never take a good look at how the chair is progressing because it is always covered with lint! All the bits of stuffing keep migrating around. I guess it can't be helped. The under-cushion part of the seat, that wraps around the front edge is just laid on right now.
Already they are trying to sit on it.