How to Make an Embroidered Upholstered Headboard

Measure from the floor up along the wall at the head of the bed to find out how high you want the headboard to run. Measure the width of the bed and add two inches to find the width of the headboard. Draw the length and width measurements on a sheet of plywood.

Sketch a shape along the top width line of your plywood, if desired, to create a curved arch top, a V-shaped peak or an asymmetrical diagonal line. Cut out the headboard base along your drawn lines with a jigsaw.

Lay the plywood over a foam pad and cut the foam to the exact same size and shape. Cut your headboard fabric and batting to this same shape plus six inches in both length and width.

Apply a fabric stabilizer to the back of your fabric with an iron behind the areas where you want to add embroidery. Embroider the fabric, as desired, by either using a machine or hand embroidering. Use a pattern that starts at least six inches in from the top and sides.

Spread the fabric out on a flat surface with the front and embroidery facing downward. Smooth the batting on top of the fabric and make sure all four edges line up. Center the foam pad over the fabric and batting with three inches of excess fabric and batting sticking out on all sides.

Set the plywood over the foam and place its edges flush with the foam. Lean or kneel on the plywood to compress the foam. Grab the fabric and batting layers along the top of the headboard and wrap them around to the upper surface of the plywood. Staple through the fabric and batting into the plywood every two to three inches to secure the top edge.

Repeat wrapping the fabric and batting to the back along both sides and bottom of the plywood. Staple the edges in place. Wrap the corners as smoothly as possible and staple several times if needed to secure the fabric. Stand the headboard upright and slip it between the wall and head of the bed.