This was one of those projects I needed hubby’s help with as he had to measure and pre-drill the holes. He used a small drill bit (7/64), slightly larger than the needle you will thread the buttons with. We used mattress foam purchased from Walmart and placed the indented side against the headboard. Best part? It was on sale and only cost $13.99 ($19.99 regular), as opposed to the foam that sells at the fabric store for $70.00+. As I didn’t have spray adhesive, we used hot glue to keep it in place. Not sure if this a big ‘faux pas’, but it worked really well.
After covering 23 buttons, it was time to sew them onto the headboard. This part is a little tricky, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty easy.
1. Thread thick needle or upholstering needle with heavy twine (we used baker’s twine because that’s all we had and it worked great)
2. Insert needle through pre-drilled holes in the the back of headboard and out the front (through foam, batting and fabric)
3. Pull needle completely through the front of the headboard and thread through button hole
4. Insert needle back through pre-drilled hole from the front (depending upon the size of the drill hole, this may be a tight fit and you may need to use needle nose pliers to grab the needle and pull it through)
5. Once the needle is completely through the back of the headboard, secure the twine by bringing it upwards, securing with staple and then downwards and secure with a second staple.
6. Tie the two ends of the twine together in a knot.
We used 22 buttons in total (row of 7, row of 8 and a third row of 7) and were worried it might look too busy, but with the size of the buttons, we are very happy with the way it turned out.
completed sometime before Christmas, but I never
hold my breath when it comes to that sort of thing. :/
Fabric – $6.99 (from second hand store)
Geeze, Lucy! It looks so incredible!!! Brilliant to use the old headboard!!! xo, S.
Wow, Lucy it is fabulous!! I bought mine already made. You did a super job.
Gorgeous headboard and you make it look so easy! I have a similar issue with my headboard and have contemplated covering with fabric. Some day I will get to it, I hope. The wall color is very pretty even if the grey looks blue.
The headboard looks wonderful. I really like your Ikea hack rug, too. Your room looks like it’s right out of a magazine, Lucy. Hugs, Kim
Wow! It looks wonderful and such a great transformation! Good job and wonderful prices for the materials you used! I like the way the walls change from blue to gray depending on the light, so either way it looks great!
Your new headboard is gorgeous and it fits in so well with the room and everything you already had. Lovely!
Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design
Same thing here – upholstering my headboard has been on my to-do list for ages. I love how yours came out – added incentive for me to bump it up a bit on the priority list!
Its beautiful! I’ve been wanting an upholstered headboard but not pay the price.
looks amazing. i love the way it looks.
It looks amazing lucy xxx
What an incredible makeover! I cannot wait to see your room completely finished!
Angela @ Number Fifty-Three
This turned out great. And those red pillows are the perfect accent. Where did you find them?
Irene Collaborative Divorce Attorney Austin TX
Wow, you rock! I made my own very similar tufted headboard a couple years ago and am still so in love with it. It’s one of those “biggest bang for your buck ever” projects!
It looks amazing Lucy really! I am a huge fan of upholstered headboards. If I didn’t love my wrought iron bed I would definitely have one. Who knows one day I may look at that bed and want a change, I’m prone to do that lol.
Boy Lucy, This turned out so great. I love the fabric and that you added tufting. Very elegant.
Cynthia
Your headboard turned out lovely. I love linen, it always looks so rich and elegant. Great way to improvise with the alternate materials that were much more cost effective.
Lucy, what a fabulous job! It is a real designer headboard! What a difference. The new headboard is fresh, upscale, chic… and $50! Ca’t get any better!
I found you through Pinterest and I’m now your newest follower. This headboard came out fabulous. I bet you love it.
What a fresh, clean look.
I hate that about gray paints. They always read green or blue to me.
I will not do in the original but your blog is so good you can not say anything other than THANK YOU!
voyance gratuitement
Wow now that is an amazing transformation! I’m gonna think twice now before I pass up one of those headboards! Love when we ask our husbands for help they always have the “best” way to do things 🙂
WOW i love this! i definitely want to try out something similar! great job!!!
This is exactly what I was looking for! I have a bed with a current headboard and tried googling everything possible but after a bit of time I came across yours and it is absolutely perfect! Looks fabulous, elegant and expensive but so cheap to do! Amazing