Introduction: DIY Fabric Headboard How To
In my quest to redo my daughter, Sereena’s bedroom and stay within my itty bitty budget, I decided to try my hands at a DIY fabric headboard for her full size bed.
Originally, I was going to try to follow this tutorial or this one from one of my fave blogs, Centsational Girl, but then I thought to myself, …”these headboards are gorgeous, but you are just not going to ever get around to jigsawing some plywood”. So I decided to put on my thinking cap and come up with an alternative solution to my headboard dilemma. During my thinking session, the clouds parted and the sun popped out along with a light bulb of an idea! “use foam boards ditsy!!” came to mind! (It was staring at me in the face all this time! Duhh)
- See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/
Originally, I was going to try to follow this tutorial or this one from one of my fave blogs, Centsational Girl, but then I thought to myself, …”these headboards are gorgeous, but you are just not going to ever get around to jigsawing some plywood”. So I decided to put on my thinking cap and come up with an alternative solution to my headboard dilemma. During my thinking session, the clouds parted and the sun popped out along with a light bulb of an idea! “use foam boards ditsy!!” came to mind! (It was staring at me in the face all this time! Duhh)
- See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/
Step 1: Supplies Needed
I must admit that initially I struggled with trying to figure out how the foam boards would stand up to wear and tear, but then I decided to just try it out since Sereena is 17 yrs old and can now take care of her stuff. They also only cost $1.50 per board and I bought 6 for my project, but only ended up using 4. I figured, if my idea doesn’t work, then I’m only out $9 buckaroos…so ahead I went with my DIY plan.
Step 2: Measuring Your Headboard
I don’t have a pic of the fiberfill that I used or I should more accurately say planned on using (that was until I checked my stash and discovered that Robert, my hubby used it all up without telling me). Let’s just say that there was A LOT of bleeping going on when I made my discovery. What is a girl to do? Improvise! And so I cut open some extra throw pillows that I bought at Ikea months ago to make some more envelope pillow covers.
When measuring the width of her full size bed, I added 2 inches to each side of her bed for a total of 58”, then measured the height that I felt would look best…I went with 42”.
Then I configured my foam boards to best fit my measurements. For a nice feminine and romantic look, I cut out some curves, but first, I hand sketched a design with a pencil (perfect for erasing any mistakes..and I had many…trruuusssttt meee!). Then I went a cutting with my fabric rotary cutter and cutting mat….walllaah perfect cuts (You can also use scissors, but Lord knows that I cannot cut a straight line let alone a curve so I grabbed for my sewing materials and used my magic cutting tools)
- See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf
When measuring the width of her full size bed, I added 2 inches to each side of her bed for a total of 58”, then measured the height that I felt would look best…I went with 42”.
Then I configured my foam boards to best fit my measurements. For a nice feminine and romantic look, I cut out some curves, but first, I hand sketched a design with a pencil (perfect for erasing any mistakes..and I had many…trruuusssttt meee!). Then I went a cutting with my fabric rotary cutter and cutting mat….walllaah perfect cuts (You can also use scissors, but Lord knows that I cannot cut a straight line let alone a curve so I grabbed for my sewing materials and used my magic cutting tools)
- See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf
Step 3: Cutting Foam Boards to Size
It’s best to use your newly cut foam board as a template for your second foam board so that they aren’t any discrepancies. - See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf
Step 4: Gather Foam Boards and Tape Together
I’m sure that there might be easier ways of making this headboard, but I was creating as I went along…no pre-planning here. If you have any easier steps or supplies that might be simpler, please share.
Next I taped my four foam boards together for easier handling.
- See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf
Next I taped my four foam boards together for easier handling.
- See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf
Step 5: Add Padding
Then I cut open my Ikea pillows (I used 2 for this project) and spread the stuffing out evenly across my headboard. - See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf
Step 6: Seal It In
Next, I used some leftover fabric that I have stashed away and used my hot glue to seal in the pillow stuffing in place (this wil be a lifesaver when adding your headboard fabric-no flying stuffing pieces to worry about). - See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf
Step 7: Add Fabric
Then I laid my headboard fabric on the floor (pretty side of the fabric touching the floor) and laid my foam headboard on top (fluffy side touching ugly side of fabric). - See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf
Step 8: Hot Glue Fabric Onto Headboard
I began to hot glue my fabric onto the foam headboard (while tugging the fabric for a nice crisp and even look). - See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf
Step 9: Keep on Hot Gluing
When I got to the top of the headboard, where I cut out my curves, I snipped my fabric a bit closer to the headboard for easier maneuvering and gluing. Don’t worry about it looking pretty since no one will see the back of your headboard. (Take a look at how mine came out below…fuggly I know, but wait til you see the finished product.) - See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf
Step 10: Add Nailhead Trim
Once I was all done hot gluing my fabric onto the headboard, I flipped it over and waaallllaaa..the beginnings of my fabric headboard were born, but not yet finished. I still had to add on the nailheads for a more polished look. I decided to also hot glue them onto my headboard for a sturdier feel and crispier appearance instead of just pinching them on. I’m really satisfied with the finished look and Sereena loved it too! - See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf
Step 11: Attach Velcro and Hang
Happy baby, happy mom! (Although she is 17, I still call her my baby and probably always will)
To hang your new headboard, simply place your velcro on the back of your headboard and rub the wall area down with some alcohol so that the velcro will hold up nicely and you don’t end up sleeping with a foam headboard on your face. For the next step, it’s best if you get an extra pair of hands to help you (it will eliminate the bleeps that will come if you go at it alone, but if you’re feeling like having a breakdown moment then move on without the extra pair of hands…don’t say I didn’t warn you…how do I know bc I had a breakdown moment!). Have your friend use the level to make sure that you don’t end up with a crooked headboard, while you adhere the headboard to your wall. Now you are done! Go ahead and get your dance on or have a nice cocktail!
Total Cost: $20
- See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf
To hang your new headboard, simply place your velcro on the back of your headboard and rub the wall area down with some alcohol so that the velcro will hold up nicely and you don’t end up sleeping with a foam headboard on your face. For the next step, it’s best if you get an extra pair of hands to help you (it will eliminate the bleeps that will come if you go at it alone, but if you’re feeling like having a breakdown moment then move on without the extra pair of hands…don’t say I didn’t warn you…how do I know bc I had a breakdown moment!). Have your friend use the level to make sure that you don’t end up with a crooked headboard, while you adhere the headboard to your wall. Now you are done! Go ahead and get your dance on or have a nice cocktail!
Total Cost: $20
- See more at: http://www.redoyourroomonline.com/diy-fabric-headboard-how-to/#sthash.OS5GLt6E.dpuf