Sunday, August 19, 2012

8 Foot ~ Velvet Headboard ~ How To!

This is one of those projects where it was easier to build it, than it was to write a "How To" for building it, and it wasn't easy to build.  I'm not gonna kid you.  I posted about this headboard ages ago and mentioned that a "how to" was on it's way.  I started the post, then thought.... uhhh, maybe I'll just wait until someone asks for it, because it's tough to put into words.  Well you've asked, so here it goes.  I'm gonna do my best on this one and hope that it all makes sense! : )   So here is the headboard I'm talking about.  I will say... if you are going to attempt this headboard it is a MAJOR pain in the butt because of it's size.  Just telling it to ya straight!



First up is the frame; this is the easy part.  I used 2 sheets of plywood.  One full sheet 4' x 8' and a second piece cut into strips for what I like to call the wings.  (If you go to Lowe's or Home Depot, they will make the cuts for you, can't get easier than that!)  So here's what I'm talking about.


 These measurements are based on a Queen size bed.  I wanted my headboard to be 60" wide.  I used one full piece of plywood and two 6 inch by 8 foot pieces and two 4 inch by 8 foot pieces cut from the second piece of plywood.  I used one full piece of plywood for the center which was 48" wide and used the two 6" strips one on each side of the full piece.  The wings as I call them.  This made the headboards total dimensions
 5 'x 8'



Then I placed the 4" pieces over the seams.  Like the picture below,


and screwed them in on both sides, going the whole length of the headboard (8'). I used about 20 screws on each wing of the headboard.


Then I flipped the whole thing over and had a nice flat 5' x 8' headboard base.  The next step is to cover the entire headboard with 2" foam.   The foam I used was in 2" x 22" x22' squares.


It looked like this when I was done.



Then I wrapped it with batting.


I had to cut 3, 8 foot lengths to cover the whole thing.


Ok, so that was the easy part.  Then I made the fabric cover.  I used two different velvet fabrics for this one.  The fabric cover needs to have an extra 3 inches of fabric all the way around the headboard for attaching it to the back.


I laid the fabric cover over the headboard and got it centered but didn't attach it to the back.  It was completely lose at this point.   


I started the inside nailhead and the outside nailhead trim at the same time, using the outside edge of the plywood as my guide to keep things straight and a tape measure to keep my inside nailhead trim at 4 inches.  I made sure I had an extra 2 inches of fabric on the outside of the headboard to wrap around and attach to the back with staples when all the nailhead trim was in place.  So even though I had an extra 3 inches (mentioned above) to wrap around the headboard I only left 2 inches and sort of worked that extra inch to keep the fabric from pulling too tight around the boarder.  Ok, see, right there...all of that.... HARD TO EXPLAIN, hope that makes sense.  I used extra plywood pieces to brace underneath the headboard to make it easier to nail the trim in.  THIS WAS NOT EASY!  Just sayin.


Then came the buttons.  I used the make to match buttons from Joann Fabrics.



 I measured out where I wanted my buttons to go so that they were evenly spaced and marked the spots with a dot.  Then I used a staple gun with the longest staples I could find and stapled 2 or three times over each of the dots.  The short staples won't cut the mustard here!  I used extra plywood pieces to brace underneath the headboard when I was putting in the staples.  Very important for getting the staples in securely, and you have to push down hard! Then I used a hot glue gun to attach the buttons over top the staples.  


Then lastly, I flipped the whole thing over and pulled my extra 2 inches around to the back of the headboard and stapled it down.  Then I attached heavy duty picture hanging hardware, to the top back of the headboard and hung it on the wall.



Ok, hope that all made sense.  This was a tough one!

WARNING
Building this headboard may cause:
Cursing
Crying
Moaning
and
Yelling at your husband for no good reason!

Smiles!
~Renew Redo~




26 comments:

  1. aaaaw you have said he is very patient :) Sounds like what my husband has to deal with haha :-p

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol, yes he is VERY patient! Thank goodness. : )

      Smiles!
      Sammy ~ Renew Redo

      Delete
  2. A-frigging-mazing. Am going to try it, along with the patience of my darling husband! Thanks for this. When can we expect details on the super fabulous bedspread that is both flirty and fabulous at the same time? I look forward to it!. Keep up the great work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Details posted! : )

      Smiles!
      Sammy ~ Renew Redo

      Delete
  3. How much did thus cost you in materials?

    ReplyDelete
  4. How much did thus cost you in materials?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Missy. I think it was around $250ish for the 8 foot headboard...

      Smiles!
      Sammy ~ Renew Redo~

      Delete
  5. Beautiful job! Very lux!!!!! Also love the tip of using staples and gluing the buttons on to create the tufts. ☺

    For your U.S.A. and Canadian readers, hope you do not mind me adding that if they are looking for reasonably priced foam; Overstock.com carries a perfect product. It is actually a mattress topper and is called "Splendo Rest 2" Conventional Foam Mattress Topper" and comes in various sizes. For a King Size slab it is $54.99 and is ideal for DIY Upholstery projects namely because of its density and comes in white.

    Also, for those who may like to copy your headboard but do 'not' wish to add the decorative nails; a similar design can be achieved by doing both sections (foam/batting/fabric)in separate steps and cardboard upholstery tacking strips are used in lieu of decorative nails to create a defined clean finished line between the two sections. As it is difficult to describe the process .... web search: U-Tube video, Mike and Marianne Headboard Episode 5 - Border Frame (Feb. 11/2009). Though the border is pleated (not plain) and a fabric piping has been added; the same concept can be applied for a plain border. -Brenda-

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, I neglected to say; by 'the two sections' I mean the tufted area on the Headboard and the border/margin/frame around it. In other words, the part you did in a contrast fabric.
      -Brenda-

      Delete
    2. Thank you for your idea RE: Overstock.com's foam. Hopefully, it's still available!

      Delete
  6. If you use covered buttons (you can buy them at a fabric store and cover them with the same or complimentary fabric), you can put staples in as you described above but as you do this, staple in a piece of heavy duty thread (wish I could draw a picture) but you should staple right in the middle of the piece of thread. Then tie on the covered buttons using the thread. I have done this on an upholstered wall and it turned out really pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've wanted to DIY an upholstered headboard, as I love the look& texture of velvet. I had decided no tufts, they're a bit busy to my eye. Upon finding your version, I've decided your tufting works due to the grand size allowing for great spacing of buttons. Being grand, it's a gorgeous statement. You've created a work of art. Thank you for your inspiration!
    ( I originally found your blog when searching for how rub&buff looks/project ideas. Can't wait to see those, but came across your headboard first! Super excited about the headboard! I've changed my mind about tufting & buttons completely. Thanks to you!)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this so much! Could you please explain more about how you made the border with the mitered corners? Do you press all of the edges under on the main fabric? Do you butt the main piece next to the border or lay it over the top of it on the inside edge? I just want to make mine look as fab as yours.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for your informative writing.
    Get 30%-70% Discount from FZillion.com on all branded Bed Cover . You can get excellent product with Great discount from Amazon and Ebay

    USA Free shipping and free return. 75 days Return Policy.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I’m writing on this topic these days, , but I have stopped writing because there is no reference material.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello, its pleasant post concerning media print, we
    all understand media is a fantastic source of information

    ReplyDelete
  12. it was a wonderful chance to visit this kind of site and I am happy to know.

    ReplyDelete
  13. One of the most serious issues is a lack of good communication.

    ReplyDelete
  14. It’s really a great and useful piece of information.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi there, You have done an excellent job.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for sharing with us this important Content.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am so blessed to discover this. thank you

    ReplyDelete
  18. You’re a very skilled blogger. thank you

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great content material and great layout.

    ReplyDelete

Hey there! Leave me a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you have a question and want a faster answer, just email me at renewredo@hotmail.com
Smiles!

Blog Top Sites