Headboard halfway done

Ok ok, it wasn't listed as a resolution goal, but I've been wanting to make a headboard for quite a while. The large pillows I have kind of mimic the effect of a headboard, but it's not the same (see old blog post). Everything fell into place to do it: I had a Living Social deal for a fabric store, so a friend helped me pick out fabric and buttons for 1/2 off. And I had some friends visit with a large vehicle to help me get a big piece of ply board. All I needed was foam, which I bought on Sunday.

Many of the DIY headboard tutorials are for headboards that attach to the wall. I didn't want to drill into the wall, so I built a frame with wheels that attaches to the metal bedframe. For my queen bed I had the ply board cut to 60 inches long. I decided to leave it 4 ft tall so that the frame wouldn't get top heavy. That will make attaching the fabric and foam more difficult, but I'll tackle that challenge next weekend after the foam has had 5-7 days to expand after being rolled up.

I cut 2 sections 55inch long pieces of 2x4. I drilled holes and attached a plate caster wheel to an end of each piece.

my observer is pretty darn cute

After the wheels were attached to the 2x4 I measured the height for drilling holes for the bolts (I should have measured the width apart from one 2x4 to the other, but luckily it worked out ok... this time Lesson Learned: Measure Measure Measure!) I used 4 bolts on each 2x4 to attach the frame to the metal bedframe.

Then I attached the plywood to the top part of the 2x4s using wood screws.

I drilled the holes for the bolts, including a place for the head of the screw.

The bolt holes should have been a little closer to one of the sides... had I measured.

I attached it to the bed and here's the half-done look.

Up next:

1. measure and drill holes for the buttons 
2. attach foam and fabric
3. cover the buttons
4. attach the buttons

Trips to hardware store - 2 - (1) plywood and 2x4 (2) caster wheels.