This DIY is sponsored by Home Depot. I’m so proud to be working with them on this content series where I’m reinventing old furniture and giving it a new life. I truly believe the best way to get higher quality furniture at a lower price point is to buy vintage pieces and repurpose them. Home Depot is dedicated to being eco-friendly and I think this type of recycling is a great step in the right direction. Thanks, Home Depot!
I really wanted a pair of tufted headboards for my girls rooms, but tufted pieces can be especially expensive! I picked up a pair of these vintage headboards for next to nothing at a thrift shop and thought I could probably come up with a way to reuse these rather than buying something new.
I took a quick photo and then played around in photoshop with the placement of the tufts. Since there are a lot of curves in this piece it wasn’t just a matter of doing some math, like with most tufting projects I’ve done.
Once I had the tufting placement down, I started pulling off the old upholstery.
Underneath the top layer was a realllllly old piece of silk that was super sunbleached. I always love pulling apart old upholstery to see what fabrics are hiding.
Then I pulled off that bottom layer of fabric and batting so that all that was left was the wooden frame.
The foam I used here was a repurpose too. I used some camping foam! It’s such a cheap way to buy 2″ or 3″ foam.
I used a serrated knife to cut out the shape, but I wish I had an electric knife. Those work so well for cutting foam.
The foam fit perfectly inside the frame, right where I wanted it, about an inch in.
I had jotted down all the measurements on the fabric guide too, so it was easy to quickly double check my marks.
Once the holes were drilled, I layed the frame on top of the foam and marked the tuft placement by poking a sharpie through the drill holes.
The next step is vital to getting the deep-tuft look. You have to take out all the foam where each button will go. I just use a little paring knife to cut a simple hole around the registration mark. You want the hole to be sort of angled so the opening is wider and the bottom of the hole is about the size of your buttons.
I used my trusty can of spray glue to affix the back of the foam to the bed frame. You really want the foam to stay put during the tufting process so this step is important.
Cover the foam with a layer of high-loft batting.
Lay down your fabric on top of that and round up an extra long needle (mine’s about 5″) and some upholstery thread (Don’t use regular thread here. It needs to be upholstery thread).
Turn on a show and enlist a cute little helper who is eager to push back bedtime.
1) Double up your upholstery thread and thread your long needle. I use two arm-lengths of thread each time and I can get two buttons done with that.
2) Your first tuft should be the middle hole in the very top row.
3) Your needle should pass first through the back hole, through the middle of your foam divot, and finally though your batting and fabric.
4) Leave about six inches of thread hanging in back and then thread your button in front. Because you doubled up your upholstery thread, four individual threads should be on your button.
5) Trying to keep all your threads tidy, pass the needle back through the foam and hole in the frame. It might take a few pokes to find the hole again since you’re searching blindly, but it gets easier after a few tries.
6) Now pinch your button and sort of push and wiggle it down into the foam divot. At the same time, pull the threads from behind the frame.
7) With your helper pushing the button as far in as possible, pull the threads in back very tight and staple them down on to the frame. Pull the threads in the opposite direction and staple in again. Repeat a couple times and tap in the staples with a hammer to make sure the staples are flush and in there tight.
8) Here’s the most important thing I can share with you here: Work in rows. Start with the middle button and work your way out in the row. Then start the next row in the middle again and work your way out.
Once you finish your first row and are ready to start the next row, play with your fabric and start making folds in a diamond shape. It’s surprising how easily the fabric naturally folds into the diamond shape. The goal is for the surface of the upholstery to be smooth and as tight as possible. For a professional look, you want all the extra fabric to go in the folds.
Rather that placing your tuft wherever your needle appears and having to deal with the consequences with the folds later, CHOOSE where your button will go by making the folds first and sort of pushing your fingers in the foam divot. You’ll know exactly where to put that needle and the button.
Keep working away, going row by row, starting from the center and working out.
Once all the tufts are done, the back of your frame looks like this:
Another important part: Keep in mind that all interior folds should be in the diagonal/diamond shape. All the extra fabric around the perimeter of the headboard should go into vertical or horizontal straight line folds. Try to keep everything tight and smooth.
Almost there!
10) Next I trimmed away all the extra fabric and batting. Try to get as close to the staples as possible.
11. I decided I wanted to lightly touch up the frame. I always love the look of a crusty old frame with bright and clean new upholstery! But this frame was looking more dingy, less patina-ed, so I brushed on a little bit of white glaze and some of my favorite Ralph Lauren paint in Parlor Gold. Just a little bit of each though, so the frame still looked old.
All ready for the last step: trimming!
I used these steps to make matching piping out of the same velvet. I think the cording I used was 1/4″. Nice and thick so it fills in the gap between the foam and the frame with all the staples and the fabric/batting mess.
I just used my favorite glue, Magnatac, to glue the piping in place. Use a generous amount, but be careful not to drip. It’s really hard to get this glue off velvet especially.
I was so glad to be able to reuse those old headboards to get the exact look I wanted for my girls bedroom! I love the shape and it makes me so happy to have these special pieces in my home rather than a pair of more expensive and generic headboards from a place like Target or Urban Outfitters.
Absolutely amazing! Love how all the colors work together,
I am in accordance completely.
Wow, these turned out fantastic, I think I will be giving it a try!
Jenny, You are inspirational, one day I want to grow up and be just like you!
Denise Briant
Design Savvy of New Jersey
I LOVE those headboards! The pink color is divine! Can't wait to see more of your girls' bedroom!
unbelievable. you did such a good job!! i am so impressed. can't wait until i have the time to do my very own diamond tufting. i envision a white velvet headboard. aah! now i just need to find the right re-do piece. thanks for this great tutorial!
Turned out amazing! I guess now I'm on the lookout for some vintage headboards so my girls can have their fourth bed in three years. Always redoing. I love your blog and I never comment, but I know you're an AZ girl (I married an AZ boy and we live here now) and we have some mutual friends. I think you know my friend Jenna in NY. Anyway, I am going to have to feature some of your wonderful ideas on my own blog soon. Love it!
The headboard looks really lovely Jenny and I adore the sneak peek of the girls' room. Its so great you could give new life to this old headboard. I'm crushing on the magenta velvet you used.
Thanks too for the very detailed post and abundance of photos. I've never tried tufting but now I know how if I ever try it out!
I've seen a lot of tufted headboard tutorials, but yours is definitely the most informative and well constructed I have seen. Thanks for taking the time to put together such a wonderful, detailed tutorial!
Oh my goodness Jenny, it is absolutely gorgeous! Not only is it more special that the headboards you find at Urban Outfitters or Target, it is WAY more beautiful! If only I could have you here to help me do that in one evening!! Incredible.
Nancy xo
This is one of my absolutely favourite things you do on your blog – the 'how to's. And you make it all seem so orderly and achievable. Me, I'd probably have glue all over the entire room if I tried to attach piping, but this post does make me at least consider trying. Thank you.
PP
Um, amazing! I can't believe I'm the first commenter on this post. I made a pair of raspberry velvet(ish) headboards for my two girls, and I thought about tufting. I'm glad that if I ever do it, I'll have your tutorial-they are always clear, straightforward, and make the project totally approachable.
I'm a big fan of everything you do!
Heather
looks fab…. attempting my first tufting this weekend :)
Wow, Beautiful!!! You did a great tutorial!
Suzanne
I love it!!! Thank you for all the detailed information on getting the deep diamond tufts. We be using for sure.
Natalie
I am in awe. And I love that you said it was easy.
YAY! I loved this tutorial and LOVED the finished headboard. Incredible work, I'm so inspired! Thanks!
I love love love love it! It is fantastic that color is amazing. Best thing ever. Where did you get that poster above the headboard?
Beautiful finished product! I have to say that I also fell in love with the original floral. It might be the inspiration for a floral in my spring line.
OMG that is just awesome!!
It's GORGEOUS!! I love the velvet ypu chose. And what a great tutorial! Thank you so much for being so thorough and sharing all your insider tips!
You made that look so easy. I just tufted my headboard. Not the diamond tufting though now I wish this tutorial had came 3 months earlier! But the tufting was SO hard. Trying to get the needle to get thru to the back of the headboard was frustrating!
You. Are. Amazing. A project like that seems so intimidating to me, yet you make me think I could almost do it. What a girl you are!
Wow, they look gorgeous! You're amazing as usual!
wow! just wow! you are one talented gal!
You are amazing, Jenny! I wish i had the DIY talent you do! Where is that gorgeous hued magenta velvet from??
I love this!
You always make such great tutorials. super easy to follow and great results. Can't wait to try a tufted headboard in the near future.
Gorgeous! Love the fabric you picked.
OMG!!! This is incredible! It's absolutely gorgeous. I am saving this post to my favorites so I can come back to it when I want to make my own headboard. Thanks.
OMG!!! This is incredible! It's absolutely gorgeous. I am saving this post to my favorites so I can come back to it when I want to make my own headboard. Thanks.
oh my gosh. fantastic! i've been way too afraid to attempt tufting but upon my return home i'll need a headboard and think i just might give it a try.
Amazing! Just wondering where the bedside wall lamp is from?
Excellent DIY. Straight from the expert. I appreciate your effort to post this step by step photos.
These headboards are fantastic!! And your post is SO thorough- thank you for the DIY steps- you are always a wealth of knowledge!
you are amazing! I looooove it.
jenny you are kind of a big deal :)
that was amazing
Speechless. As usual.
Jenny – These look great! The fabric is perfect!
You amaze me!
Thanks for the info :)
Gorgeous! Love the purple with the gold frame. You certainly are talented (and patient!).
as always, amazing!!!! I always want to try your projects when i see them even if i'm not in need. gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! they have so much more character than something you could have brought brand new.
It looks amazing, great job! This is one of the best tutorials I've seen in a while-you make it look so easy :)
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!!!!!
Thanks for the tutorial:))
Seriously amazing! I have been so intimidated to redo my sad brown diamond tufted headboard but, I think I might be okay now.
And I was just adding this picture and link to my post today and my daughter came in and said "that's a beautiful bed I should have! Can I have that bed someday Mama?" You've even won over my six year old :)
So impressed!
You write the best tutorials! And, you always make your projects look so easy and not intimidating!! These headboard are adorable!
Brilliant. And your explanations were really clear. Still don't think I could ever tackle this. It is encouraging that you could do it one night. I'm so impressed!
@Tanya and Colin I found a similar lamp here: http://www.lightinguniverse.com/wall-sconces/house-of-troy-ws751-decorative-swing-wall-sconce_g272970.html I loved it too!
I love all of your how-to posts! That purple velvet is awesome!
Good grief that looks fantastic! What a gorgeous color on that velvet too! I love how you detailed each step. I got a little scared around step 6 or so but you make it look so easy and the result is definitely worth it.