When it comes to tackling upholstery at home, sustainable designer, expert upholsterer and TV personality Micaela Sharp is the person to know about. Since appearing on Interior Design Masters season 2 in 2021, Micaela has joined the presenting team of Changing Rooms and is a course leader with Create Academy. With her
Instagram Account and Upholstery and
Interior design brand, Michaela Sharp Design, she shares her expertise and passion for upholstery.
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In our latest Ask the Expert interview, we talk to Micaela about all things headboards - from piping to pattern repeats and how to get started at home.
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Micaela Sharp's A Complete Guide to Modern Upholstery with Create Academy
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What do you need to consider when choosing headboard fabric? (Are there any fabrics you should stay away from?)
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The great thing about headboards is that, unlike other items like sofas and chairs, the usage is relatively light. That means you can use fabrics that are a bit more delicate or those with a low Martindale*, such as embroidered fabrics. A headboard is the centrepiece of a bedroom, so be bold with your choice. I think the best headboard fabrics incorporate both pattern and texture.
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*A Martindale (rub count) is a test that measures the durability of fabrics from wear and tear. The higher the Martindale number, the more durable the fabric.
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How do you measure how much fabric and piping you need to make a headboard?
To measure the amount of fabric you’ll need, you first need to find out the width of the fabric you'll be using; usually, it's about 140cm. This is fine for smaller sizes but, for larger headboards, like a super king, you’ll likely need to join two pieces of fabric together to cover the full width, meaning there’ll be a seam (or two).
You'll also need to take the pattern repeat into account when calculating the size of your headboard. Larger patterns have more wastage when pattern matching.
For piping, add another 1m of fabric, as it is cut on the cross so that it will lay flat around the curves. Then, measure the outside circumference of your headboard shape (excluding the bottom edge) to calculate exactly how much piping you need to sew.
For more tips on making sure you have enough fabric for your headboard, read our blog - ‘How much material do I need for a headboard?’
Is there a trick to positioning patterned fabric to make sure it's centralised/straight?
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The easiest way is to lay the fabric on the headboard and find a point on the fabric that will look nice in the middle. You'll need to measure either side of this point to ensure the pattern is centred. When upholstering, you'll start by stapling the top and bottom edges (so wait to staple the sides into place until later), and keep checking that your pattern hasn't moved off-centre.
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Stylistically, do you prefer curved or straight headboards?
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I think if you're making your own, add as much detail as possible. Curved headboards look a lot more high-end to me, so I favour them over straight lines. If you are going for straight lines, think about where you can add detail in other ways - for example, with embroidered fabric, floating buttons, trim, etc.
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Is there a maximum height a headboard should be?
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Not really. Some hotels, such as Kit Kemp Firmdale hotels, have hugely oversized headboards that nearly reach the ceiling! It comes down to preference and the materials used. If you're buying wood from a hardware store, it's probably 120cm tall. It also depends if you mount the headboard below the mattress line or if all of it is visible above the mattress for maximum impact.
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There is some debate about this…do you think the width of a headboard should sit in line with the bed or extend beyond it?
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This really comes down to personal preference. In some designs, I love a headboard that cocoons the bed, extending all the way along the wall. This looks best if the rest of the furniture is relatively plain. But I also love a headboard in line with the bed when the side tables and lamps are interesting shapes.
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What are your 3 top tips for someone starting their own upholstery project?
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