Quick Project: Make a Headboard

To make our headboard, we wove together strips of upholstery webbing. You can easily make a frame to sit inside the posts of the bedposts or you could also follow this technique by weaving strips over a padded headboard or piece of plywood.

 

 

 

 

 

YOU WILL NEED:

Upholstery webbing (available from fabric stores)
Sharp scissors
Bosch Tacker or staple gun
Hammer
Brackets (to secure headboard)

 

 

 

HERE'S HOW:

 

Step 1

To work out how much webbing you will need, measure your headboard. Divide the length of the headboard by the width of your webbing then times this figure by the width of the headboard.

 

Step 2

Take the reverse measurements - divide the width of your headboard by the width of your webbing then multiply it by the length of your headboard. Add this number together to the former number, then add an extra 2m to allow for attaching the strips to the back of the headboard. We needed about 50m for our headboard. Work out how long each strip will have to be in order to run along the headboard and tuck over the back (you will need strips for both the width and length).  

 

Step 3

Start cutting pieces of webbing, laying each strip over the headboard as you go so you know roughly when you have enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4

Start by laying the width strips (the longer ones) down on the floor next to one another. Lay the headboard frame over the top of them and then adjust the strips so that they are evenly spaced (even a slight difference in spacing can show up in the weave and leave a large uneven gap when you come to the end). Once strips are all evenly arranged, carefully staple them in place along one edge. Repeat process along the opposite side of the headboard, pulling each strip very taut as you staple it into place.

 

Step 5

Lay the frame right-side up and weave one short webbing strip in and out of each widthways strip, from one side across to the other, then repeat with remaining strips - don't staple in place until all strips are woven through. Turn the board over and adjust the short woven strips so that there are even gaps between them all, replicating the gaps in the width weave. Carefully staple them into place along one end and then repeat along the opposite side, again pulling strips as taut as you can before stapling in place. Hammer down any staples that did not go into the frame fully. Position headboard between the posts and secure with brackets behind.