How to Make a Shirred Headboard
A headboard is a bedroom accessory that instantly creates a focal point in a space. A shirred headboard is characterized by a gathering of fabric that creates small pleats or ripples in the material, which add a stylish touch to your bed. Make your own shirred headboard as a thrifty alternative to purchasing a pre-made headboard in a furniture store. Utilize these tips to make your own custom shirred headboard in no time.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Fabric
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Scissors
- 4 canvas stretching boards
- Staple gun
- Hammer
- Nails
Instructions
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1
Measure the width of the bed to determine the length of your fabric and your canvas stretching boards.
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2
Lay out a piece of fabric that is the length of the width of your bed, plus 2 extra feet. Starting at one end, make a 1-inch pleat at the top of the material by folding some of the fabric underneath itself. Pin in place with a straight pin. Move over about 3 inches and repeat, continuing along the top of the fabric until the entire length is pleated.
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3
Run a long stitch along the top of the fabric, basting the pleats in place. Remove all of the straight pins.
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4
Purchase four canvas stretching boards at an art supply store. Canvas stretching boards are made to snap into one another to make a wooden frame when four are snapped together. Match two of the boards to the width of your bed, and make the two other boards about 3 feet long. Snap together to make a wooden frame for the headboard.
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5
Lay your pleated fabric over the wooden frame. Wrap the edges of the fabric around the frame as if you were wrapping a present, and attach to the backside of the frame with a staple gun. Trim off any excess fabric.
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6
Nail four nails into the wall about 3 feet above where you want the bed to go. Hang the headboard from these nails and push the bed flush up against the headboard.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose fabric in a color or pattern that will match the decor of your bedroom.
Use enough staples to keep the fabric from shifting on the frame.
References
- Photo Credit sewing image by pncphotos from Fotolia.com
