DIY Headboard

First I want to apologize for being absent in the blog world.  March-May is my contract season at work and the past two weeks I have been working some major overtime, like 8am-2am drafting contracts and working with my overseas office.  So the pressure is on, and to be honest when I get home I take my hour long break to sit and be mindless...the last thing I want to do is stare at a computer screen.  I decided I would cut back on blogging and only post when I could deliver good quality reads, because I want to give you the best that I can!

Now for the Fun Part...CRAFTING!  This DIY has been requested by several of my IG followers and strangers!  A few weeks ago I posted my gallery wall seen in this post, well it apparently caught the eye of TJ Maxx and I won their weekly contest and now they have shared the post on their Tumbler page!!!!At last glance it was shared/liked  over 4,000 times WOW (for me this is HUGE)!!!  Even though the photo was to showcase my new wall art the headboard has been the show stopper!  So here is my Somewhat easy DIY!  Enjoy!!

Materials:

MDF Board (or any large sheet of wood)

1 1x4 (or any piece of wood to adhere the headboard)

2-4 yards Fabric (will depend on headboard size)

2-4 yards Batting (will depend on size of batting and headboard)

Foam (I used 2 inch but wish I would have used 3-4in for a more tufted look)

Spray adhesive

21 Button Covers, 1 1/2 in (depending on spacing and headboard size)

Staple gun/Staples

scissors

chalk line/ruler

drill

jigsaw

pencil/pen/marker

large needle

string

measuring tape

If you aren't crafty...here is a link to a similar headboard 

Step 1:

Measure your bed and determine the height and width you will need for your headboard.  Since my boyfriends bed didn't have a headboard I measured his ikea bed frame and picked my measurements (62in Wx37in H)   I also measured from the top of where the headboard would be to the base of the bed so I knew what length of 1x4 I would need (2 pieces at 52 in each..I just had them cut my 1x4 in half)

Step 2:

Head to the hardware store and pick out your board and 1x4.  Most stores like Lowes and Home Depot will cut your wood to the desired size for free if you ask (which is what I did)  then you can take it home and get started!

Step 3:

The next step is optional.  I wanted my headboard to have a somewhat scalloped edge to it, so I decided to cut semi-circles out of the corners.  To achieve this look go back to 5th grade geometry and bust out your math skills..lol  I tied string to a pencil to create a compass and traced my circle to my liking.  Once you have one side done cut it out with a jigsaw.  Now that one side is done you can take the piece of wood you just cut off, flip it over and place it on the other side for a template to trace around.  Instantly you have matching notches.  Repeat the cutting step and voila you have a headboard shape (you can also just trace around a bucket or object with a round shape for an easier time!

Step 4:

 Measure your headboard and determine the spacing of where you would want your buttons to go.  You will want to draw out a grid on the wood based on your spacing points.  I don't remember my exact spacing but they are close to 9in apart give or take. If you have a chalk line you can use it to create the lines, or just trace a ruler.  Once you have your grid pattern drill holes where the lines meet.  See picture below for details.

Step 5:

 Lay out your foam onto the board.  Due to the shape of my board I had to cut the pieces to make it fit.  Once I laid them in place I went back and sprayed the adhesive on the wood and stuck the foam to the board holding the foam in place.  Let dry for a few minutes and then you can move on.

 Step 6:

Take your batting and cover the foam.  Once you have it laid out, get a friend to help you flip over the headboard (foam side/batting side facing down).  Pick a starting point and begin to pull it tight stapling the batting to the back.  When you get to the corners you might have to make some small cuts to get the batting to lay smooth.  Make sure that as you staple and pull the batting that you are smoothing out all the creases on the front side.  Continue this process until you finish the entire thing, trimming any excess batting off.

Step 7:

Repeat step 6 but with your fabric.  It is super important that you make sure the fabric is smooth in all areas.  Making small cuts on the back for the corner areas as the fabric tends to picker in those areas.  Staple the fabric in place, and work your way around the entire headboard.  Trim off any excess fabric.

Step 8:

Start covering your button covers with your excess fabric.  My fabric was really thick and sort of difficult to cover these buttons.  I added a little fabric glue to the buttons to make sure they would stay adhered.  

Step 9:

Take your large needle, thread it, and begin from the back side of the head board sewing the buttons in place.  You might need a helper for this.  I leaned mine up against a table and as I sewed the buttons into place had my boyfriend bush the button into the headboard so it would stay in place while I secured it.  That way I got a really tufted look.  I stapled staples to the back and tied the excess string from the buttons so they stayed in place.  Repeat this for all your buttons.

Step 10:

 This is also optional, you can cover the back with your fabric to give it a finished look.  Since my headboard is against a wall I skipped this step.

Step 11:

With a friend line up your headboard to the bed and determine where you want to attach the 1x4's.  I decided that since I am renting an apartment I would attach the headboard directly to the bed so I didn't damage the walls.  I first screwed the 1x4 to the back of the headboard and then attached them to the bed.  Now you are finished!  

I apologize for the bad pics but I made this headboard a few years ago with no intention of creating a blog post about it...So if I ever recreate it I promise to update this tutorial!

Please let me know if you have any questions and I would love to see what you have created!!  Hapy crafting!