Give It the Slip

Update almost any headboard with a slipcover made of sheets. You'll need one flat sheet that's the same size as the bed -- twin, double, queen, or king.

Make a pattern by taping paper onto your headboard and tracing around it. The pattern should extend to the bed rails. Add 1 inch all the way around (1/2 inch for seam allowances, 1/2 inch for ease of fitting), then cut out two pieces. Baste piping to the right side of one piece along the seam line. Sew the pieces together, right sides facing.

Clip any curves and layer the seam allowances. Narrowly hem the bottom edge. Slide the slipcover over the headboard.

For rail-type headboards that have expanses of open space, you'll need fabric with a bit of stiffness. Choose sheets with a high thread count. For extra stiffness, iron fusible interfacing or fusible fleece to the wrong side of the fabric before sewing the pieces together.

Piping adds a professional touch. Place the raw edge of the piping toward the raw edge of the fabric. The stitching on the piping should line up with the project's seam line. Baste along the seam line, then sew the two fabrics together with the piping sandwiched in between. A zipper foot lets the needle get close to the piping so that you sew right along the seam line.