Upholstery Tufting Technique

December 6, 2011

Tufting is a classic detail often seen on vintage furniture. It not only secures cushioning to the backs of seats and upholstery, it adds a decorative touch. Create a tufted headboard with our instructions, then consider using the technique on other upholstered furniture.

Upholstery Tufting Technique

MATERIALS
4’x8’x1/2” CDX plywood*
Tape measure
Pencil
Skill saw
Flexible toy racecar track**
Jigsaw
2” foam
Utility knife
Spray adhesive
Electric drill
3/16 drill bit
3 yards of fabric
Staple gun
9 cabinet knobs
2 24” French cleat hangers

*Tip: Get the plywood pre-cut to your specifications at your local lumberyard. We made our headboard to fit a double bed, but your measurements may differ based on the size of your bed.

**Tip: If you don’t have a toy racecar track, trace a curved angle (use a rounded edge of a large bucket) onto a corner of foam core, cut it out, then use that as a guide on your plywood.

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Measure and cut the plywood into a 51”x61” rectangle with a skill saw.
2. Bend the piece of racecar track (or use your foam core shape) to the desired angle, and trace the curve onto the top left corner of the plywood, then cut it out with the jigsaw. Save the piece that falls.
3. Set the fallen cutout on the opposite corner and trace the curve with a pencil, then cut it out with the jig saw.
4. Lay foam over plywood and use a utility knife to cut it into the same shape.
5. Remove foam and spray plywood piece with spray adhesive. Wait 10 minutes to allow it to become tacky.
6. Align the foam on sprayed side of headboard and press to adhere.
7. Flip the headboard over, foam side down, and mark holes for tufting with a pencil in whatever pattern you desire.
8. Drill through the pencil marks, wood and foam with a 3/16 drill bit.
9. Wrap headboard with fabric and secure to the back with a staple gun, smoothing out wrinkles out as you go.
10. From the back of the headboard, feed the cabinet knob screws through the pre-drilled holes, and attach the knobs from the front to create the tuft.
11. Attach French cleat hangers to back of headboard using supplied hardware. Mount headboard to the wall behind the bed at desired height.

Tip: To smooth out fabric wrinkles after the headboard is complete, take out some of the staples, pull fabric taut, then re-attach with more staples.

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