Make Your Own Headboard

An upholstered headboard turns a ho-hum bed into a properly padded comfort zone. Just pad a piece of plywood with foam, cover with the upholstery-grade fabric of your choice, and bolt the finished headboard to an ordinary metal bed frame. Simply said, it's as easy as putting a (padded plywood) letter into a (fabric) envelope. Sewing is minimal, and spray adhesive and fusible iron-on tape make gluing and hemming a snap. Once your project's complete, position the padded board behind the bed, lean back, and relax in a bedroom that's sure to turn heads.



MATERIALS:
· 3⁄4" plywood, 48" high and 54" wide (full or queen size; adjust width for twin or king size)
· metal bed frame
· drill with 5/16" drill bit
· two pieces of 1"- or 2"-thick urethane foam: each 55" wide and 49" high (or 1" larger than the plywood)
· duct tape
· 3M "77" spray adhesive
· four 1⁄4" carriage bolts
· sturdy fabric: two pieces, each 56" wide and 51" high (or 1" wider and 2" longer than the padded plywood)

Step 1 Stand plywood at head of bed. Use holes in bed frame as a guide to mark and drill holes in plywood, two on each side, one atop the other, where carriage bolts will eventually go.

Step 2 Apply spray adhesive to front and back of plywood; adhere a piece of foam to each side. Leave a 1" overlap of foam at top and sides. Apply spray adhesive to top and side edges of foam. Let dry; pinch together to create a seam. Reinforce the joined seam with 11⁄2" duct tape. Note: Foam comes in rolls 54" wide; we ran it sideways and glued the seams with spray adhesive, edge to edge.

Step 3 Next, stitch fabric together on three sides, right sides facing, leaving 1" top and side seams; leave bottom edge open. Turn right side out.

Step 4 Pull finished slipcover over padded headboard. Stand headboard in place. Tuck a 2" hem along bottom edge and pin in place. Locate bolt holes in plywood using a long needle; mark with chalk. Remove slipcover and sew around the four chalkmarks with a zigzag stitch; cut out slits. Hem bottom edge of slipcover using iron-on tape. Pull finished slipcover over headboard, slide bolts through holes, and secure.



Related Links:
Twin Headboards Makeover
Building a Headboard
Choosing Sheets & Pillows
Adding Color to the Bedroom
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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.