How many yards of fabric are needed to upholster a standard full-size headboard?

I want to create a slipcover for the headboard of my daughter’s full size bed. How many yards of fabric will i need?

A full size mattress is 54″ wide, so the headboard is wider than that.

Home decorating fabric is 54″ wide (left to right) If you railroad the fabric, meaning you turn the fabric so the 54″ is running vertically,(top to bottom), then you will need 3.5 to 4 yards of fabric, depending on how thick the headboard is. This is only if the fabric is solid or has a pattern that can be turned on it’s side. Working the fabric in this way eliminates seams on the front of the headboard.

Otherwise, you will have to sew seams in the fabric to match up the pattern so the fabric will now be wide enough to cover the headboard. (Kind of like matching wallpaper) To do this, you will have to determine how many repeats are in the fabric so the pattern matches when sewn together. You should center the 54″ width and have a seam on each side as you match up the pattern to the center piece. You will not have to worry about the back matching patterns. The yardage for patterned fabric with a one way design as described here, will be the length (top to bottom) of the headboard times three plus add extra for hems. Add an extra 3/4 yard if you have to center a large pattern.

In any event, it is always wise to purchase extra fabric for pillows or maybe another project at a later date.

Upholstery DIY – Episode 3 Designer Headboards

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