DIY Tufted Headboard

When I moved earlier last month, I decided to get rid of all of my old college furniture that I have had  for way too long years! It was definitely time for a more elegant grown up look... but that means spending money!  And even though I am super rich from my teaching salary ;), I wanted to get the look for much less!  The headboards similar to the style I wanted were in the $300-$400 price range. I was able to make this one for....wait for it..... under $150 (this included finding my materials on sale).  I have researched DIY headboards for years, hoping that eventually I would stop being lazy and actually make one.  So.. when I moved and had my dad and super crafty mom in town, I decided to finally tackle this project.  I used several other blogs to create this headboard and of course I will give credit where credit is due- and I will provide links that may explain steps better! Also, if you plan on doing this project, you will need at least one other person to help you especially when you get to the tufting.  

Materials you will need:

*1 piece of 4'x8' (48in x 96in) Sheet of Pegboard or Plywood
Note: This is just the standard size that it comes in at Lowes, you can ask them to cut it a certain size there.  We cut mine down to 48 in x 60 inches to fit my queen mattress.

Measurements for other sizes: Twin: 39 inches wide, Full/Double: 54 inches wide , Queen 60 inches wide, King 76 inches wide

*Jigsaw

*At least 3 yards of fabric
Note: A standard yard of fabric is 36in x36in, but when buying them check the bolt of each fabric you are looking at because some manufactures make the bolt 45in or 60in wide by 36 in long.  You just want to make sure you get enough width to cover your board especially if tufting.  When tufting, you will use much more fabric.  If you don't have enough fabric you may end up having to cut your board down and that is no fun.
*Foam- If standard Queen you would need at least 5ft x 4ft (probably two rolls of foam)
Measure your board and get enough foam to cover the entire board  but make sure it is at least 2in or 3in thick.

Download the Hobby Lobby App and use the 40% coupon when buying the foam- you may need to bring an extra person if buying more than one roll to get the 40% off on both rolls. DEFINITELY WORTH IT!
*Cotton Batting- enough to cover your foam

*Spray Adhesive

*Electric Knife to cut foam

*Staple Gun

*Hardware to hang headboard- I used the french cleat system(video) or written instructions

If Tufting add:

*Buttons or Button Kit to make your own

*Wax Thread 

*Exacto Knife 

*Marker

*Large Needles

Step 1:

Choose the size and type of board you would like (for more info on sizes refer back to the materials section).  I used the pegboard since I was tufting and it already has holes in it.  Otherwise you will have to drill holes in your plywood.  The pegboard will seem flimsy, but when you hang it using a french cleat system it will become reinforced and very sturdy.



Step 2:
Choose the shape of the headboard you would like.  I chose the Portman headboard shape.  Once you choose your shape, use household items to make the outline.  I used a large laundry hamper lid to create the circle for the basis of the Portman outline.

Graphic from Mason Jar Champaign Blog (precious)           Graphic from All Things Thrifty (wonderful DIY tutorials!)

Step 3:Use the jigsaw to cut out the outline you drew on your board.

Step 4:

Place your board on your foam and trace your board outline onto the foam.  If you are tufting, choose your patterns for your tufts.  Using the holes in your pegboard put pen marks where your button tufts will go.  Circle the holes that you will be using for your tufting pattern on the actual pegboard itself as well.  Then, use the electric knife to cut the foam.

Step 5:

If you are tufting you need to take a button that you will be using and trace a circle around the dots you put on your foam.  Then, use an Exacto knife to cut the circles out- leaving about 1/4 inch of foam in the hole.  Spray the back of the foam with the spray adhesive and stick it to the side of the board that does not have the circles drawn on the pegboard. 

Step 6:

Lay your board with the foam face down on to your batting.  The back of the peg board (side w/out batting) should have your circles (that you drew on it that will be using for tufting) visible.  Wrap your batting around the board, staple the batting to the edge, and cut the extra batting off.  Keep the extra batting because you will be using it later. 

Step 7:

Drape your fabric over your board, and place it somewhere that you can get to both the top and the bottom at the same time for tufting.  We used our small island counter space and just moved the board forward and backwards as we worked through all of the tufts.

Step 8:
For a DIY headboard without tufting check out All Things Thrifty, wonderful tutorials- or omit steps 8-9!

To start your tufting begin from the bottom of the board.  Take your large needle that is threaded with the wax thread and pull it through to the top of your board.  Have one person stay under the board and hold onto one end of the thread.  The person on the top of the board will grab the needle and thread the button.  Then, pull the needle back through the same hole it first went through.

Grab the needle until both pieces of thread are back through the bottom of the headboard. 

Take a small piece of batting and put it in between the two pieces of wax thread.  Double tie the thread around the batting.  The person who is at the top of the board will need to hold down the button to the desired tuft depth until the knot is tied.  The batting and knot will keep the tuft into place.  

Step 9:  Continue your tufting for all of the holes on your board that were circled.  

Step 10:  Staple your fabric to the board, and cute the extra fabric off.  If you are using pegboard for this project, you may want to use a french cleat system to hang your headboard.  The french cleat system will reinforce your board, and make it very sturdy.  Here are some tutorials for hanging your headboard- video or written instructions.

Step 11:

Enjoy your new headboard! I will be posting another DIY of the headboard we also made for my sister! Feel free to email me with any questions you may have! :)

xo,