How to Button Tuft a Headboard

Upholstering

• 1

  Measure the headboard for height and width. Write down the measurements in preparation for adding foam, batting and upholstery fabric to an un-upholstered headboard.

• 2

  Purchase 1-inch or 2-inch upholstery foam for your headboard, depending on how thick you want it. Thicker foam gives the tufted headboard a softer, curvier look. Purchase quality batting and upholstery fabric per your headboard measurements. Purchase an extra yard of upholstery fabric for covering the buttons.

• 3

  Wipe the headboard down to remove any dirt and dust. Lay it flat, face up, on a large, clean work surface.

• 4

  Cut out the upholstery foam to your headboard measurements. Place the foam atop of the headboard, if necessary, for precise cutting. Cut with heavy duty scissors or an electric knife.

• 5

  Lay the batting flat on top of the foam and headboard. Pull the batting taut, without shifting it around the surface, and fold the excess over the sides and back of the headboard. Start in the middle of one side of the headboard.

• 6

  Staple the batting to the back of the headboard. Work your way slowly from the middle out on each side, pulling enough to smooth but not enough to pucker the fabric.

• 7

  Pull and fold the fabric over each of the four corners. Fold the fabric over itself for a smooth corner on the front. Staple it several times in the back of the headboard. Check the front of the headboard for smooth and thorough stapling. Re-staple as needed.

Tufting

• 8

  Mark where you want your tufted buttons on the back of the headboard, before or after upholstering.

• 9

  Pre-drill holes through the headboard where you've made your marks. Dust off the headboard with a clean rag.

• 10

  Cover each tufted button using your scrap upholstery fabric and a button kit. Follow the manufacturer instructions for that particular kit. Thicker upholstery fabrics do well with plastic buttons instead of metal.

• 11

  Place your covered buttons nearby for quick access. Double thread a long upholstery needle. Poke the needle through one of the button marks on the back of the headboard to the front, coming out of the upholstery.

• 12

  Thread the needle through the bottom of the covered button. Thread the needle back down through the same hole out to the back of the headboard. Pull the thread taut and repeat the step to securely tack the button.

• 13

  Pull the thread taut and staple it several times to the back of the headboard. Fold and pile the remaining thread tail and staple it several times again. Repeat this process with all buttons.