Headboard Tutorial

EEEKKKKK! I think I have been inspired to write again!

For those of you who don't follow me on Instagram or Twitter, the answer is yes. I'm still alive! For those of you who do follow me on Instagram and Twitter, the answer is no. I will not stop uploading pictures.

I have finally got back into crafting. I love it! When Harper Lee 

(yes, double name) was, hmm... 3 months old, I started going back to garage sales. I leave home around 7:00 AM while Daniel and Harper girl are still asleep. I just really enjoy finding old junk and turning it into something useful. Crafting has for sure taken flight! I think a little website called Pinterest, might have something to do with that :)

 My Pinterest boards:

http://pinterest.com/mkksims/

Also, there's a new show on TLC called, "Craft Wars". It's a lot like "Cupcake Wars" on the Food Network. (We have at least 20 episodes of Cupcake Wars recorded. Prior to watching, we usually make a run to Gigi's Cupcakes in Ridgeland.)

 Tuesday nights @ 9:00 PM

 Anyway, I love love love to craft. I can remember going to Lacy Hill's garage sale next door when I was... 12ish, finding an old, circular, yellow tablecloth (with a big ruffle at the bottom) and asking my stepmother to make it into a swimsuit cover-up. It was awesomeeee (so I thought).

So here's my latest project: 

A HEADBOARD

Kelli Dart and I made one last summer, and I have been itching to make another one. Thanks for all the tips, Kelli! From one stay-at-home mom to another. Here's the link to our projects from last summer (http://www.maryjunekennedy.blogspot.com/2011/07/2-weeks.html) I remember being hot, tired, sometimes grumpy and having several discussions with my mother about painting while I was pregnant. Speaking of my mother, I haven't talked to her in 2 days! I wonder if she's still alive. Funny how times have changed. 

 Harper lee eating baby food for the first time... squash! 

Ok, so here's how I did it!

STEP 1:

MEASURE

Measure the length of your bed. Mine was a queen and measured to be 34" x 64". It was perfect! I added about 5 inches to the exact measurement of the mattress length. You can make it as tall or as short as you want. My euroshams are quite large, so I made my headboard tall(er). 

STEP 2:

BUY HARDWARE

Go to the hardware store and buy an MDF board ($20).

Don't pay attention to the things on the bottom. It was to even it out, but once we put it on the wall, it didn't matter. 

It's not quite as thick as plywood. The hardware store may or may not be able to cut it. I know for a fact Lowes or Home Depot won't. Try a local hardware store! I had a family friend (Jason Hooge) in Clinton to cut it for me. Also, pick up a 2x4 (2 ft. long). You will need to cut that on a 45 degree angle. I'm sure the hardware store will cut that, too, but... if they don't, here's a MUCH EASIER way. Buy a FRENCH CLEAT at Lowes. It looks like this.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=202341629&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&cm_sp=BazVoice%2d%5f%2dRLP%2d%5f%2d202341629%2d%5f%2dx

mine looked somewhat like this

Mine. Yes, I have sent all of the background to the Salvation Army... finally!

I found this handy dandy guy after the headboard was built. I could've saved Jason from extra work. It will fit perfectly and make the transition easy, if you ever wanted to switch your headboard for something new. Two more things! Buy a piece of foam board ($11) and screws (4 4” wood screws – for 2x4 into wall and 4 2.5” inch screws for 2x4 into MDF board). Not sure if they make 2.5” wood screws, but I didn’t think to ask Jason what he used. Just buy a metal French cleat ($15 Home Depot or Lowes)

STEP 3:

CUTTING

Now that you have your French cleat screwed into your MDF board, it's time to cut the foam board. Lay the foam board on a level surface, and then lay the headboard on top and trace on the foam board, the shape of your headboard (sorry, long sentence)! Cut your foam board out with a box cutter. It DOES NOT have to be perfect (AT ALL). MINE WASN’T.

STEP 4:

BUY FOAM MATTRESSES AND BATTING

Next, drive to Wal-Mart. Buy 2 foam mattress pads. 

Since my bed was a queen, I bought a full ($8) and a queen ($12). I also found some batting in my mother's attic. You can buy batting at any fabric store. i would get it an inch thick. The thicker, the better, but it gets pricey. The have foam mattress pads at fabric stores, too... but they’re outrageous. Believe me, I just left one. Buy the ones from Wal-Mart.

STEP 5: 

LAYERING

my leftover foam board from another project. repeat, does not have to be cut perfectly.

Ok, layering! Lay the batting on the floor, queen foam mattress pad, full mattress pad, foam board, and headboard! 

STEP 6: 

FABRIC!

Fun part! Buying fabric! Ok, pick out a great fabric! It can be trendy or timeless! The great thing about this headboard is that you can always recover it! I bought (my mother bought) 2 yards of fabric from P. Tree Fabrics in Baton Rouge. Funny how I would rather her buy me fabric over clothes... which, she bought me clothes, too. She's the best. Here are 2 sites that are great for affordable fabric:

www.fabric.com 

and 

www.spoonflower.com

also, painter's drop-cloth is AMAZINGGGG! 

back of my fabric

That’s what my guest bedroom headboard is made out of. I’m currently making curtains out of them!  

STEP 7:

IRON

Iron your fabric. Just do it.

STEP 8:

STAPLE

[9/16" staples]

Go to town with your staple gun! This was somewhat tricky. Since my fabric was a pattern, I had to line everything up. After you do that, start in the center (of whatever side). The corners were probably the hardest part. But come on, it's not that hard to staple fabric to a piece of wood. For the corners, look at this website... but it's not a big deal. http://www.ehow.com/how_5839305_upholster-corners-headboard.html Turn it over and... YOU'RE DONE! (Almost)

STEP 9:

DRILL

ALMOST DONE!

Nail the french cleat to your wall. Place the headboard on your wall and ... wah-la! Your new headboard! The french cleat is great! I thought about nailing one to an old, painted door and making another headboard. It's so much easier than making a stand (if you don't mind screwing into a stud on your wall.) The gentleman at Lowes recommended a 4" screw. Daniel drilled a hole into the wall (after 2 hours of measuring -- not sure why it took him that long). Then, he drilled a hole through the 2x4. It was really easy to get the screws in the wall after that. 

STEP 10:

RELAX.

I hope this wasn't too confusing :( I talk to an infant all day, and my brain is in 5,000,000 directions… and I’m typing vigorously while she’s sleeping.

Recap of Cost:

MDF Board - $20

2x4 - $3

Mattress Pads - $20

Foam Board - $11

Batting - ?? $20??

Staples - $3

Fabric - DEPENDS on you!

TIP:

You can also buy a button pack at Michaels, JoAnn's, etc. to tuft the headboard. 

http://www.joann.com/dritz-aluminum-cover-button-kits-many-sizes/xprd357330/

Just drill holes in the back (through the wood and foam board). Take a long upholstery needle and thread the buttons through. Double thread the needle. You can make whatever shape you want! Just buy a jigsaw (Wish List!) and get to crafting. Ahhh.... I wish I could do this all day. I feel like I'm on speed, because I get so giddy talking about projects. 

If you would like me to make you one, I would LOVE to. Just send me 2 yards of fabric (if a queen headboard) and a check to cover the expenses. Really, I want to.

Big shoutout to the Tigretts for allowing me to use their drill, charger, extension cord and everything else. They're a great example of Matthew 10:8, "Freely you have received, freely give."

Next Tutorial: 

  my Sunday afternoon project!

Have a great night! It’s good to be back in the blogging world.