How to Make a Gathered Fabric Headboard

Gather fabric which matches your wall paper into a headboard for a subtle textured effect.

Make a gathered fabric headboard to match or contrast with your bed linens. Make a comforter cover using a realistic floral print. When you gather the same print for the headboard, it will become an interesting abstract pattern. You could also make a chocolate brown headboard to match the piping on a teal and chocolate brown bedspread. A gathered headboard is quick and inexpensive to make, and it requires only a few yards of fabric. Use either decorative curtain rods or plain rods that curve back toward the wall.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 1-inch curtain rods, 2
• Scissors
• Fabric
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread

Instructions

1. Hang a curtain rod 30 inches above the head of the bed. Hang a second rod 1 inch above the head of the bed. Both rods should be the same width as the bed.

2. Measure the width of the curtain rods and multiply the measurement by two. This will be the width of the fabric for the headboard.

3. Divide the width you calculated by the width of your fabric., For example, if your rods are 60 inches wide, your fabric piece should be 120 inches wide and you will need two lengths of 60-inch wide fabric to make your headboard. You may neglect seam allowances in these calculations.

4. Cut the required number of 33-inch lengths of fabric. For 60-inch wide rods, use two full widths of fabric and cut the two pieces 33 inches long.

5. Sew the selvage edges of the two pieces of fabric together by placing the two pieces with their right-sides together and sewing with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. The print of the fabric should be right side up on both pieces. Sew on additional pieces until the fabric is the required width. Make a narrow hem on each side of this fabric piece.

6. Iron down 1/2 inch on the top and bottom of the fabric, then iron down a 1 1/2-inch casing. Sew the edge of the casing close to the fold.

7. Thread the curtain rods through the casings and rehang the rods.

Tips & Warnings

• If using lightweight fabric, make the width of the fabric panel three times the width of the bed.

• Tie tassels to the ends of the decorative curtain rod.

• Use large decorative finials only on the top rod. Use plainer, smaller ones on the bottom rod.