Studded Headboard

I was recently asked to upholster a headboard for a friend. The word got out that I upholstered one for our master bed room, I wasn't mad, secretly I was glad. Ours was super simple, I used a table cloth(which I recommend very durable and only cost $25 from TJ Maxx) and since I only wanted a square shaped head board it was a breeze for my first time.

Anyways, after taking measurements and and figuring out the color scheme I went to work. The lumber was provided for me and as you can see the legs already came attached which makes it even more difficult. But I measured a 2" border around the top and sides only. This will make it easier to know where to put your studs. After I measured the border I used adhesive to adhere my foam to the MDF. I cut the foam with a sharp knife along my border line.

After adhering the foam to the MDF, I rolled out the batting to cover the foam. I cut the batting down and left enough slack to wrap around the back of the headboard.

After covering with batting, I did the same with the fabric. My friend wanted a black leather look for cheaper, so I order a few different swatches from fabric.com. We chose Cordoba Vinyl Black, it was $6.98/yd and I ordered 6 yards to be on the safe side. Ended up only using 4 yards but better safe than sorry. As you can see I have a hammer nailer, I started off using this but I ended up breaking down and buying an upholstery gun. You will find an upholstery gun at your local hardware store.

After covering with fabric I turned the headboard where the back is facing up. I started with the sides first and pulled the batting and fabric taut and stapled away. Then I worked on the top of the headboard to get crisp edges. Since the legs came attached to the headboard the bottom was a little difficult, but I just trimmed around the legs and left the flap of fabric at the bottom without trimming it off.

Remember the 2" border I drew on the MDF I used that same guide for my nail heads. I first took straight nails at the top two corners and at the bottom edge. I then tied twine to the nails to make straight lines to follow. I did use a ruler to TRY to space the nail heads evenly. I spaced the nail heads an inch apart. It is hard to use the individual nail heads, I definitely recommend the nail head strips, you can find them on ebay.com pretty good deal at $3.95 + S&H/yrd. I did this all the way around the border.

Here is the border done

I then wrapped the legs. The client did not want the head board against the wall so I wanted to make sure it would look finished.

Next was the back of the head board. I started with the top. I used a cardboard strip so when I folded the fabric back over it I would have a clean edge. I stapled the cardboard strip down then folded the fabric back over it so the right side was faced up. Then I hammered nail heads every few inches on the top and when I got to the corners I folded under and kept going with the nail heads. When I got to the bottom where the legs started I had nail heads right next to each other.

For the bottom I trimmed the fabric so I had about a half an inch. Then I folded under to finish the edge and evenly spaced the nail heads.

Supplies Needed:

MDF cut to size
2x4's cut to size
Nuts & Bolts
2" thick foam
Spray Adhesive
Batting
Fabric of your choice
Nail heads
Staple gun
Ruler
Twine
4 Straight Nails
Cardboard Strips

*Note to self practice with nail heads on something first because its harder than it looks. You get one to every 3-5.

Ciao