Gold Velvet Headboard | diy
So I wrote this post back in December or so on my old blog. But it needed to make a new appearance on here because it's still one of my favorite + most rewarding diy projects. Also, it was used in a family lifestyle styled shoot a few weeks ago so it came back to life.
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I have been wanting a tufted headboard for a while now. When we first got married I made a fake stand-in until we could afford a nice one. I just needed something on the wall. It did wonders for the bedroom, but I always had my eye on other headboards. One in particular I envied was from James Furniture Co. someone whose work I LOVE so much in Washington. But getting a headboard to Utah just wasn't going to happen. So that got scratched off the list.
Now making my own headboard, that was a task I just wasn't ready for. Then one day I pinned some tutorials and got way excited about my upcoming project. Earlier this month I started buying materials online & today I completed the project. I followed directions from a few blogs (involving the senses) & (little green notebook) & then filled in the blanks through trial and error.
Also, the best way to make this a cost efficient project, recruit people to make one with you. A lot of the supplies could be split or shared, which brought our cost down significantly.
B E F O R E + A F T E R
S U P P L I E S F O R C A L I K I N G
HOME DEPOT WOOD DESCRIBED BELOW
1x3 Wood (HOME DEPOT)
2'x6' Pegboard (HOME DEPOT -shared)
Spray Adhesive (HOME DEPOT -shared)
3/4" Wood Screws (HOME DEPOT -shared)
Home Depot Total (per person): 21.50
3"x24"x72" foam EBAY - $41 ** this is about 75% off what you'd pay at Joann's or better!
Polyfill batting (JOANN 50% off - shared) - $4.50
42-43 fabric buttons (HOBBY LOBBY 50% off) - $11
3 yds fabric (Gold Velvet here) - $24
Staple gun & staples
Strong Upholstery Thread (I used strong embroidery thread that I had from Hobby Lobby)
Long Needles (I used doll needles that I had)
Knife
Tape Measure
Sharpie
Chalk
Drill
TOTAL: $102
Saved more than $250 by doing it myself
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W O O D
First things first, get the supplies listed.
To build a cali king you need a 2'x6' pegboard (home depot will cut the 4'x8'
down to size for free. This is one of the things you can split.
Then you need 3-1"x3" boards
Cut one board into two pieces (the height of your bed+24") mine was 48"
Cut the other two boards into two pieces one 67" & one 19"
I didn't cut these right first, so I had to saw off a few inches at home to make them all fit.
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BUTTONS
Covering the bottoms with fabric this thick was hard & it hurt my thumbs.
I tried so many things to make it work and then I discovered the best way to cover the buttons
Use the wood to smooth the button together, instead of using your thumbs. Once you try it a few times you'll see what I mean. ouch.
Next I measured out all the button places on the back of the pegboard
This way when I built the frame I didn't cover any of those spots.
I had 42 buttons so I did 5 rows, 3 of 8 and 2 of 9.
I spaced them 8" apart horizontally & the rows were 4" apart
Find your middle peg and that is where the middle of row 9 will go.
I used chalk it was quick and easy.
F R A M E
Next build your frame, its SO easy if your boards are cut to the right dimensions.
Long boards on top, 48" on the sides and the little ones in between for extra support.
Screw the wood screws from the top of the pegboard, into the 1x3 boards
F O A M
Poke a permanent marker through the holes to mark where your foam should be cut
Label the side of the foam that is touching the board, this will make it easier to not be confused when you put it back together.
Cut out each hole with a little knife.
This part is easy and kinda fun.
If your dog has a foam fetish (like mine) get him out of the room for this part.
Line up the holes then attach the foam to the board with spray adhesive.
Cover the board with batting and staple it to the back of your frame
Tear holes in the batting where the other holes are.
T U F T I N G
Begin tufting
Triple not the button to the thread and push it from the top to the bottom of the board.
Pull the string tight, while using your other hand to push the button down from the front side.
Use the staple gun and make a zig zag staple gun finish.
Double knot the string and cut the excess.
Staple the back of the fabric to the board.
The back doesn't have to look fancy and mine sure doesn't, so just pull and tuck in places to make all your tufts in front look good.
tada
+ there you have it folks.
My old headboard that was less than $30 to make and did the job,
but my new headboard is adorbale, gold + velvet. What more can I say?
B E F O R E
A F T E R
bedspread, sheets + pillows: amazon
(contributed by my great mother for Christmas)
lamp + basket: deseret industries
table: my girlfriends market
always kiss me goodnight sign: Pace Made Designs
macrame: Pace Made Designs
ps. everything is harder if you let your puppy join you in the headboard process.
I wouldn't recommend it. But he sure had fun.
