A piece of fabric, preferably foam-backed, is laminated to a concave, rigid substrate, such as a fiberglass shell for an automobile headliner, by:a) coating the back of the fabric with a heat activable adhesive, e.g., a powdered polyamide;b) placing the adhesive side of the fabric against the concave side of the substrate;c) preheating a perforated male die having a complementary shape to that of the substrate;d) pressing the die against the fabric;e) ejecting a shot of superheated vapor, preferably steam, through the fabric, thereby activating the adhesive;f) cooling the adhesive until it sets; andg) releasing the laminated article from the die.The treatment with the superheated vapor permanently stretches the fabric in the concavities, preventing delamination after the article is released from the die.