Last year, Brad got around to attaching her to our master bedroom wall with piano hinge ledges. I painted around her with my newest, made-up-my-very-own-self, grayish aqua paint color, and complained about her every single time we propped up to watch TV in bed. It wasn't her fault, though. I still saw that same great potential; those curvy lines and details are what sold me at first sight. She just felt like resting against a brick wall while wearing my pajamas, that's all!
With a pencil, tape measure, level, staple gun, and power drill, we set out to give this curvy girl a new dress. I measured and marked while he drilled holes where our fourteen covered buttons will be.
Three layers of quilt batting went on and were secured around the edges within the frame, then I cut away all of the excess.
Next, came the dress! I chose a pattern similar to this one from Ballard Designs priced at $42 per yard. I said similar, like, not this one. I still have a frugal reputation to uphold.
My fabric came from my favorite upholstery shop, Ledford Upholstery, and was just $3 a yard! Yep! You read that right! I bought three yards at 54" wide to cover the width of our king-size headboard and it was more than enough. I'll use the rest to cover the buttons for tufting and the welt cording that will disguise all of the stapled edge. Not bad for nine bucks and some change!
Bill, the shop owner, stocks countless fabric remnants that he sells as flat-folds for this great price every single day. I've been going there since I was too young to see over the counters and too young to appreciate all of the textural, eye candy goodness within. Now, it's one of my favorite places for textile therapy.
Here she is, all padded up! Who knew that three layers of batting and a layer of fabric, stood between my back and comfort. Who knew! And if you spot anything wrong here, don't even tell me. I will so cry! I will!
Next up!
Part 2 - Buttons and Welt
A tufted headboard suspense thriller!
*A word of caution: I bought the covered button-making kits at Wal-Mart and in Harris girl terms when we find something to be cheap and fragile, "They're janky!" Quite janky, actually! So janky in fact, that only two remained snapped together and covered after I applied my fabric. Maybe it was too thick, but I will still be returning them and their jankified $3 a pack selves. Bill at the upholstery shop said that he'd make my buttons and covered welt. Oh happy day! A finished project is in my near future!
