Featured image from TIDBITS blog.

For some, the term “bedding” simply encompasses those basic necessities to get you through the night: a sheet set, a couple pillowcases, and a comforter or blanket of some sort. However, if you enjoy spending more than just your sleeping hours in this cozy haven, it’s worth it to take your bed to the next level.

Today on the blog, we’re exploring the accents that can elevate the style and function of your bedware. Read on to learn all about our fabric recommendations for these transformative DIY projects!

The Headboard

Headboards are a great way to frame your bed, provide a little extra head cushioning, and define the overall stylistic ambiance of the room. But don’t worry, creating your own fabric headboard doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking.

Hey There Home has an easy-to-follow tutorial for a very swanky upholstered headboard. With just a piece of pegboard, some foam, and a swath of material, you can create a product worthy of any interior design magazine.

When choosing the fabric for this type of upholstery project, we recommend something durable yet soft. Either our Velvet or Matte Chenille would be perfect.

For an alternative look, check out this DIY canopy headboard tutorial from Design*Sponge. You can customize the exact placement of the curtain rail(s) depending on the level of intended impact. For a super simple and sleek look, just use one rod, akin to a wall hanging.

You have a lot of good options here for fabric. Consider our Batiste or Faux Linen Sheer fabrics for a whimsical, light effect; or for a textile with a little more weight, opt for our Heavy Linen Texture or Plain Weave.

The Shams

These oversized pillows are both a decorative accent as well as a useful source of extra cushioning. Propped up against the headboard, the shams give the bed a sense of majestic volume. They impart that uniquely satisfying feeling of a fully “made” bed. While you can buy sham pillow inserts at home goods stores, we highly recommend this DIY sewing tutorial by The Homes I Have Made for a flanged (bordered) sham cover.

As most people remove their shams at night, they don’t need to be made out of a classic sheeting fabric. Instead, consider the sham an opportunity to create textural interest. Both our Mini Herringbone and Twill fabrics would offer a lovely woven appearance while our Satin Chenille would give them a hint of luster.

The Bed Scarf

Never heard of a bed scarf? We promise we’re not making this one up! A bed scarf (or bed runner) is the piece of fabric that you’ve probably seen lying at the foot of a hotel bed. The scarf’s original purpose was to protect the bed linens from being dirtied by the occupant’s shoes, piled bags, half-unpacked suitcases etc. Today, however, the bed scarf is gaining popularity as an ornamental, seasonal feature.

Most of the DIY Bed Scarf tutorials online focus on patching together two or three panels of fabric to cover the width of the bed with additional overhang on either side. However, with WeaveUp fabrics you have two options when DIY-ing your own bed scarf.

1) If your fabric design doesn’t have a specific orientation then you can simply buy a couple yards to run across the entire breadth. Sew the 54” wide fabric in half for a 27” scarf.

2) If your pattern does have a direction, consider uploading your motif rotated 90 degrees. This way, when it prints out the pattern will face in the right orientation upon your bed.

We suggest that you use a slightly more structural fabric for your DIY bed scarf. Our Duck and Textured Basic fabrics are less likely to wrinkle and will hold their shape well if you choose to tuck your scarf into the bed frame. Another fun option for a child’s bedroom or a whimsical style would be our Sparkle Chenille fabric.

The Bed Skirt

A bed skirt (also known as a valance or dust ruffle) is a piece of fabric material that sits under the mattress and hangs over the edge. Bed skirts camouflage unsightly bedposts, hide under-bed storage, and help prevent hard-to-reach dust buildup. A simple skirt can give your bed a much more refined, clean look.

This DIY tutorial from Make It & Love It has detailed instructions on how to sew this tailored skirt. We recommend any of our medium weight fabrics for this project. The Faux Linen and Textured Basic fabrics would both hold the pleats neatly.

If you fancy a more theatrical version, try out TIDBITS tutorial for a ruffled bed skirt. For this project, you want a fabric that will drape easily and is light enough to not cause your sewing machine problems. Our Luxury Satin and Taffeta Slub fabrics would create a lovely, luxe touch.

So, are you raring and ready to ramp up your bedroom décor?

Check out our Fabric Guide, for more information about all of our textiles and head on over to our Design Library for pattern inspiration and limitless colorway customization!

Tell us about your DIY WeaveUp projects in the comments below!