DIY headboard - macgyver style

A few weeks back, Joann Fabrics had a sale, and I was excited to buy materials to make my own headboard. I brought the old headboard into our marriage, and it was actually a gift for my birthday when I was 15. A little dated... yes? I wasn't quite sure what I was doing, but I measured the headboard we already had, which was 72 inches, and that's what I went with. For the height, I stuck with the width of the fabric, which I think was 54 inches, minus the amount of fabric needed to wrap around the foam, batting, and board.

Here's the fabric, batting, foam (1 inch), wood (birch ply - we already had it) and DIY covered button kits.

Making covered buttons stinks, I'll tell you that right now... but they do look nice.
Here's the back of the board - the husband put three strips with triangle notches to hang it on the wall. He also drilled 8 centered holes that will later house the covered buttons.

You'll also need spray adhesive to join the foam and board - you can't really skip this step. I tried, but the foam shifts around. Also in this picture is string, but we'll come to that later.

You'll also need a staple gun, loooots of staples, heavy duty scissors, and a hammer.

Here's the wood with the foam and batting. You'll want to stretch the batting as much as you can, but not too much - it does tear pretty easily!

And here's the fabric being stretched. I found it easier to staple one side on the selvage edge and then stretch the long side, stapling it down as I went.

Here's a close up of the fabric - I chose a brown microsuede. I wanted a print initially but I would have too much stress choosing bedding if I went that way.

Here are the covered buttons - my fingers were seriously sore after making them.

Here's where it gets Macgyver-like. I didn't think about what the string would tie to. And I also didn't think about my needle (which you totally need) not fitting the string I had. So what's a girl to do?! I used long golf tees and.... wait for it....

DENTAL FLOSS! Crest Glide brand, to be specific. It fit well in my needle and is very sturdy. And it smells nice! Ha.

Here's the completed product on the wall. Not a great photo, but you get the idea.

The finished product photo will have to wait until after I get new bedding. I took some of the current situation but they look kind of sad!

The final price for everything related to the headboard was around $50, however, the fabric, batting, and foam were all 50% off plus a 10% off coupon. And we already had the wood. Not too shabby!