DIY Diamond Tufted Headboard

I love all things gray these days, including my latest DIY project.

A few years ago my mom and I made my first diamond tufted headboard, so I knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to made this one. This time I enlisted the help of my mom and dad for this project, and trust me I needed their help. Those king sized tufted headboards are no joke! They are a lot of work. With the 3 of us working it took us 2 days to make this, and we worked about 6 hours each day. Actually before we started I had spend about 3 hours covering 43 buttons as well.

Thirteen hours, a few hangry, tired fits, a couple sore hands, and a little bit of blood later lol, it is finished and I just love how it turned out.

There are many, many, many tutorials online on how to make this kind of headboard, so I really don't have any sort of new exciting way to do it, except for a couple little tips when it comes to cutting the holes in the foam, securing the buttons, and shopping.

Tip #1. When it's time to cut through the foam, I used a 1 inch diameter by 8-10 inch long piece of sharp copper pipe. Just place it over the pre-marked hole, twist and push until you hit the bottom of the board. You end up with a nice clean hole and that makes the tufting so much easier.

Tip #2. Instead of using tons of staples and zigzagging the upholstery thread to the back, use regular buttons. Thread the upholstery thread through the button and tie it a few times. It holds the front tufted button on perfectly, with just the right tension. (I've tried the staple method and the button method and there is just no comparison, buttons win hands down. It is sooooo much easier.)

Tip #3. Shop around and find the best price. Use coupons. Yes you might have to make a couple trips to the store, but it is worth it when you can save over 50% on supplies.

Supplies:

• 3 yards of upholstery fabric. I got mine at our local craft and fabric store Joann's. It was on sale at 50% off, plus I has an additional 20% off my entire purchase coupon.
• 3 cover button kits. I found these at Joann's also. They come in several sizes, but I went with 3/4 inch. I used 50% off coupons on each of them.
• Extra heavy duty upholstery thread. It is super important to get this, the regular sewing thread is just not strong enough to hold the buttons and will snap.  I found it at Joann's and used a 50% off coupon.
• Long doll needles. These are about 5 inches long and are heavy duty. They are perfect for getting through the board, foam, batting and fabric. I got mine at Joann's 50% off.
• Hi-loft quilters batting, twin size. Make sure and get thicker batting and not just the cheapest thinest stuff there is. Twin size was the perfect size for this project. I got mine at Joann's and used a 50% off coupon, plus an extra 20% off my entire purchase coupon. *Yes I'm am coupon crazy, but I can't stand paying full price for craft supplies when you can make a couple trips to the store and use coupons and save 50% or more. It definitely makes this project more affordable.
• 2 pieces of 3 inch foam. I looked at Joann's and called around to actually foam suppliers, but even with a coupon, foam is SO expensive. Then one day I was walking around our local Kroger's/Fred-Meyers and back in the camping/outdoor section there were stacks of foam, for  only $20! There was an in-store coupon for an additional 15% off home and outdoor purchases so that saved me a little more money.
• Plywood 3/8 or 1/2 inch. I went the cheap route and bought chip-board, and it worked fine, I just had to be very careful with it and make sure it was supported at all times. IF I ever make another one, I WILL spend the extra money on the plywood. (The first time I made a tufted headboard I used pegboard, and that is another good option, it's just a little flimsy and harder to work with, but it makes measuring for your button holes so much easier.)
• Regular buttons. They have to be bigger than the holes that are drilled into the plywood. So for me just a little bit buffer than 1/2 inch diameter. 
• Staple gun and staples
• Long skewer, wood or metal
• Power drill
• 1/2 inch drill bit
• 1 inch copper pipe, 8-10 inches long
• Chalk line
• Speed square
• Measuring tape
• Super glue, just in case any of the button top pop off from pulling to hard, yes I know that from experience haha.
• Extra strength spray adhesive. Get the good stuff, trust me.
• French cleats. I found them at Home Depot. They are the easiest way to hang large heavy objects, like a headboard. I bought 2, both 18 inches long. My head board isn't going anywhere and it is for sure hung into studs.
• Scissors
• Saw horses
• Patients. This is a biggy.

Here are a few blogs that I read and gathered some tips and tricks from.

http://redagapeblog.com/2014/09/05/diy-diamond-tufted-headboard-using-pegboard/

http://placeofmytaste.com/make-tufted-headboard/

https://brickcitylove.com/2010/06/15/how-to-diamond-tufted-headboard-part-3/

This isn't a full on diy tutorial, I'll leave that to the professionals, but I just want you to know that amateurs, like me, can do this too! And it's wayyyy cheaper than buying one, that's for sure!

Here's some progress pictures I snapped on my iPhone during the process.

Covering buttons...

Gray linen material...

Getting the board cut at Home Depot. Something else that is awesome, using your local home improvement store, they with cut the board as big as you need it, for FREE. Just make sure you know the measurements you need...

My dad, using a chalk line, measuring tape and speed square to make sure the button holes are EXACTLY where I want them, I knew my OCD came from somewhere...

 Drilling the button holes...

We attached the foam with the spray adhesive and then flipped it back over. Then we used long skewers to poke holes through the back and into the foam so we can see where it needs to be cut out...

 Using the copper pipe to cut out a round hole for the buttons to go into when we start tufting...

 Next we attached some batting and then laid the material on top. Time to start tufting...

I worked on the top side securing the top buttons, tufting them, and making sure the fabric folded into a nice diamond shape. My parents worked from the bottom side feeding the needle up, and securing the thread with the other buttons so everything stays nice and tied.

 Progress...

When we finished tufting, we flipped it back over and secured the fabric to the back by stapling it, a lot. Also we folded the fabric all around the perimeter buttons, so it looked nice and finished.

I just LOVE the looks of the deep tufts and diamond shape...

Now here she is all finished and hanging up in our new house <3 Here's a little sneak peek of our master bedroom. The official house tour will be up next week!

No to shabby for amateurs ;)

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a sweet and happy day :)