This year has been a year of do-overs for me and it continues with my revamping of the Take Wing quilt pattern (find it here in my Shop) all freshly re-made in my new Willow collection for Art Gallery Fabrics.

Take Wing, my second quilt pattern for sale was first published in 2014 and originally made using my Gossamer collection for AGF. The pattern is for a large crib quilt or throw that measures 49-1/2’’ x 55-1/2’’ but the pattern can easily be adopted to any size—just cut more or less of the shapes! This blog post is about how to hack the Take Wing quilt (or any quilt for that matter) and make it into a headboard slipcover.

The way to turn this quilt, or any quilt into a headboard slipcover is to add buttons on the backside and make ties with buttonholes to hold it all in place. I had the perfect colored vintage buttons and made 8 ties that matched the backing of my quilt.

I made the quilt according to the pattern instructions that has an additional row and slightly larger than the original pattern. I used two layers Hobbs Batting Thermore batting inside my quilt because I planned to tack the quilt rather that quilt it and Thermore batting can hold up to 9’’ spacing on the quilting and hold up in the laundry. I also went with tacking with a decorative stitch on my sewing machine so the slipcover had more of an upholstered padded headboard-look.

Depending upon the type of headboard you want to slipcover, you may need more or less number of ties and the placement of the buttons on the back may vary so check placement on the bed for what best works for your needs. I added two ties per side so that’s 4 ties and 4 buttons per side.

Make the Ties

Before you make the ties, check the size and the position of buttons on your slipcover to the bed frame it will be used for. My quilt is shown on a double bed frame that has side bars to tie the quilt to. The size and number of your ties may vary but the construction is the same.

1. Cut (8) 3-1/2” x 21 or 22” strips of fabric. I made ties that matched my quilt backing.

2. Fold a strip in half lengthwise, right sides together.

3. Starting and stopping with a backstitch, sew one short end and the long edge (raw edges) of the tie with a 1/4’’ seam allowance. Turn right side out through the opening.

4. Turn the opening under 1/4’’ to the wrong side and press the tie. Top stitch close to the edge on all sides.

5. Stitch a button hole on one end of the tie that’s appropriately sized for your button.

6. Repeat for all strips.

To add the slipcover to the headboard, fold the quilt in half over the frame and add a tie to each of your buttons. Tie the ends of the ties in a bow at the sides of the bed frame.

The beauty of a making a quilted slipcover is the versatility of it being easily converted back to a quilt by simply removing the buttons! Plus, you get two looks out of the slipcover—patchwork FRONT and in my case, a minimalist BACK!

I adore a project that can be used so many ways—from crib to bed—with lots of decorator options and easy to use and launder. To read about the Castle Garden quilt you see at the foot of the bed, see the previous blog post. As for the other Willow pillows and accessories you spy in the photos, I’ll be blogging about them in May after the Art Gallery Fabrics Willow Look Book releases early next month.

You’ll find the material yardage list on the pattern listing page but here’s a look at the 7 Willow prints I used for my new Take Wing quilt slash headboard slipcover. If you don’t feel like sourcing the fabrics on your own, you’re in luck because Victoria Newmyer of Midlife Quilter is kitting the Willow Take Wing quilt just like the one I made here. The pattern is sold separately and is purchased from my shop.

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