Modoa Interiors, LLC
P.O. Box 9322
Fayetteville, AR 72703
ph: 479.530.7357
fax: 479.587.9252
modoaint
Custom Upholstery
Creating a Custom Upholstered Headboard
To best determine custom headboard width, I measured the mattress width. Headboard height is factored by personal preference and bedding requirements. To make things simple, I decided on 62” x 62”.
When purchasing lumber from my favorite home improvement center, they cut the plywood and studs to size for FREE! After having the wood cut, the plywood is connected and stabilized by attaching
1"x4" clear pine
with brad nails.
To best determine custom headboard width, I measured the mattress width. Headboard height is factored by personal preference and bedding requirements. To make things simple, I decided on 62” x 62”.
When purchasing lumber from my favorite home improvement center, they cut the plywood and studs to size for FREE! After having the wood cut, the plywood is connected and stabilized by attaching
1"x4" clear pinewith brad nails.
To provide adequate padding, a foam mattress pad was attached to the 1x4s using a staple gun.
The egg-crate side was placed next to the wood, to provide a smooth surface for the fabric layers.
Wrapping the top and sides of the headboard with foam padding and folding, similar to a package, provided additional padding and protection.
Then comes the challenging part…
Cording
Ripping one of the three flat fabric sheets into 2 - 2½ x 70” strips, I stitched the piping into the center of the fabric strips to make the upholstery cording.
These two 70” strips of fabric covered piping (cording) was later used to join the 4 fabric panels together.
Fabric Panels
To determine fabric panel width, I took the total plywood width (62”) and divided that number by 4. Then, I added a 2” seam allowance for each panel side.
The fabric panel length for this project was the same as the cording strips, 70”.
Example: 62 divided by 4 equals 15 1/2. Adding the 2” seam allowance on each panel side made the total fabric panel widths 19 1/2” each. “Always round UP!”
say all highly skilled craftspeople.
Fabric Panel Backing
To create backing for the fabric panels, I placed each panel on the floor and used them as templates to cut one piece of muslin and batting for each panel.
Next, I stitched the muslin to the batting and then stitched the muslin and batting to the fabric panel, so that the batting was sandwiched between the muslin and fabric.
Then comes the challenging part…
Cording
Ripping one of the three flat fabric sheets into 2 - 2½ x 70” strips, I stitched the piping into the center of the fabric strips to make the upholstery cording.
These two 70” strips of fabric covered piping (cording) was later used to join the 4 fabric panels together.
Fabric Panels
To determine fabric panel width, I took the total plywood width (62”) and divided that number by 4. Then, I added a 2” seam allowance for each panel side.
The fabric panel length for this project was the same as the cording strips, 70”.
Example: 62 divided by 4 equals 15 1/2. Adding the 2” seam allowance on each panel side made the total fabric panel widths 19 1/2” each. “Always round UP!”
say all highly skilled craftspeople.
Fabric Panel Backing
To create backing for the fabric panels, I placed each panel on the floor and used them as templates to cut one piece of muslin and batting for each panel.
Next, I stitched the muslin to the batting and then stitched the muslin and batting to the fabric panel, so that the batting was sandwiched between the muslin and fabric.
Then, selecting one of the four fabric panels, I sewed one 70” strip of cording to one right side of a panel. Choosing a second fabric panel, I sewed the second 70” cording strip onto the left side of a panel. The two remaining panels were sewn together and then joined with the corded panels to form four channels. Last was stitching additional 10" strips of fabric, batting, and muslin to wrap around the sides of the board and staple.
Attaching Fabric to Wood
It was important to center the fabric on the 62” x 62” board and stand the piece upright, pulling taut while stapling.
It worked best to staple the top first and then work my way down each side,
making sure the bottom was kept even along the edge.
The bottom edge of the headboard will be against the
wall and hidden by the bed skirt.
Using the third flat sheet, fold evenly, covering the
raw edges to secure with upholstery tacks.
Attaching Fabric to Wood
It was important to center the fabric on the 62” x 62” board and stand the piece upright, pulling taut while stapling.
It worked best to staple the top first and then work my way down each side,
making sure the bottom was kept even along the edge. The bottom edge of the headboard will be against the
wall and hidden by the bed skirt.
Using the third flat sheet, fold evenly, covering the
raw edges to secure with upholstery tacks.
MATERIALS
2 - 4'x8' Plywood
3 - 1"x4" Clear Pine
1 - Foam Mattress Pad
3 - Flat Sheets
Batting
Muslin
Piping
Thread
Upholstery Tacks
TOOLS
Sewing Machine
Tack Hammer
Staple Gun
Brad Nailer
Scissors
Pliers
P.O. Box 9322
Fayetteville, AR 72703
ph: 479.530.7357
fax: 479.587.9252
modoaint
