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I have no clue, sorry, but I'm so glad you asked this question because I've been wondering about slipcovers for beds as well!

That sounds like an excellent idea. It seems like you could cut some MDF boards in exactly the shape of your footboard and headboard, mimic the arc but starting at the height of the knobs. You'd have to find a way to attach the cut boards to the frame, then you could add foam (or not) and make two simple slipcovers (which would also be the same shape as your boards, and just as thick as the board or board/foam combo).

Well, it would be so easy to make a slipcover for the headboard and footboard. You would just need to take the measurements and make a template on paper first, to get the rounded edge right. Then cut it out of heavy upholstery weight fabric....canvas would be good, or a white denim...Then you would just need to sew it together on the three sides and leave the bottom open (with vents of eaither side to go over the frame. you could also use piping to add in color and to make it look more finished. Good luck!

OMG--that is my exact same bed, and my exact same problem! I have been contemplating the very same question for YEARS.

Oh man, I was just wishing that the Taylor bed didn't have knobs, after they reintroduced it on their website... I didn't realize they ever made one like that. Too bad I don't live in Chicago, or I'd offer to buy yours!

And for your actual question... Maybe you'd be better off trading in for the exact bed you want. I've had amazing luck finding Room & Board things on craigslist, and they're particularly common on the Chicago craigslist. Sell yours and buy the Ella bed used for around the same price, maybe?

You could definitely make that work. Take a look at this bed from Pottery Barn:

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p10347/index.cfm?pkey=cmetal-beds-headboards

Although it's not a slip cover, it does give you a sense of how a metal/upholstery combo can look.

I agree w/ Liana - Sell yours and buy the one you want that's used.

I made a slip cover for a metal bed I had--it was a vintage dark brwon Simmons frame (think 1940s motel).

I took the bed apart and laid the head and foot boards on the floor and traced them onto the backside of the fabric (an off-white cotton) with a fabric marker (it disappears when washed) and then cut 1/2" from the outside of the outline to allow for the seam. The outside face is the whole height of the frame 2" extra on the bottom for hemming and the inside face is only from the top of the mattress rail to the top of the frame (no bottom because of the mattress). I then cut a long strip of fabric the width of the frame ( 1" for sewing together on each side) and joined the two pieces together. If your frame is relatively flat you could skip this (mine was 2" deep). The last step was to hem the bottom of the outside. I added some ties on the inside panel to attach it to the frame. I also made a bed skirt to match by attaching the new matching material to an older skirt I already had (you could get one at a thrift store if you don't have one).

I loved the slipcover so much (and I was very proud of myself for doing such a good job) that I kept the frame and cover after I got a queen size bed. If I thought that the hubby, baby and cat would fit in the smaller bed, I would still be using it!! I am saving it now for the guest room I hope to have some day.

Yeah, I think a slipcover would be more trouble than it's worth. If you have the luxury of buying what you want, sell this one, though I'd love to have the classic look of iron.

Maybe you could try using that as a frame for a woven headboard? Just alternate going over a bar one way and back on the return. You could pick up some twine or rope for cheap and see if you like the look. Or use old ties, belts, hosing, etc.

I was tired of my old wood headboard (bought 8 years ago from west elm) - I have minimal sewing skills (I do have a machine though) - I used a large, linen-type curtain panel from ikea to make a slipcover for the dark wood headboard. It took less than an hour and just required a little measuring and sewing a few straight lines. It totally brightened up the room and the look of the bed.

If you don't care whether it's tufted and literally want a slip cover... then you've essentially got an oversized shaped pillow case project on your hands.

here's how to make your pattern. Feel free to email for clarity.

kimg924@gmail dot com

1. Make a butcher paper pattern or template for the curve of HALF of each -- headboard and footboard. Don't try to match the curve on the right and the left -- you'll just flip the pattern over. Don't worry about the length at first. Just get the curve down solid.

2. Make your pattern by taping butcher paper to carboard (for support).Lean/hold the cardboard against the curve, and trace the shape with a pencil. It doesn't have to be perfect --you can true-in the line after you get the initial shape. Trace from one side to the exact center of the curve. Set this aside when you're done.

3. Now measure the top (highest point) of the headboard /footboard curve to the floor. This will be your pattern center - line A. Then measure the outside edge of the curve to the floor. This will be your pattern outside edge, line B.

4. Remove the paper from from the cardboard and tape enough extra paper for the "skirt" of your skipcover.

5. Now draw line A from the pattern center, adding about 4" more for a 2" folded hem. Repeat on the opposite side for line B.

6. Now you're going to add seam allowances. Draw a second line parallel to line B about 1" out further from the original. Extend the line 1" taller than line B -- you're going to extend the cuved line as well.

7. Do not draw a line parallel to line A unless you intend to put a seam there (if you don't have enough fabric). Note: An alternative or more pleasing approach to piecing bed linens is to piece in thirds rather than halves.


You've now completed your pattern.

Trace your pattern onto the fabric.
Cut out two pieces.
Pin each piece together with the right-side of the fabric on the inside.
Stich the curved side first.
Trim the seam allowance to 1/2".
Stop sewing and iron the seam flat in one direction, then the other, then split the seam allowance and iron it open.

Now sew the side seams. Do NOT sew all the way to the bottom because you need to leave an allowance for the bedframe. Measure the distance from the top of the headboard to the bedframe, and mark this as your "stop stitching" point. When you get to the stop-stitching point, back stitch an inch to reinforce the seam.

Repeat trimming and pressing the seams.

Put the slipcover on the headboard and mark the hem point.

Finish your hem and enjoy!

I don't think making a slip cover would achieve the clean modern look you are going for. It seems as though, because of the way the bed is made, the fabric would never be perfectly taught, giving it a bit of a shabby chic aesthetic.

I think you can make this bed look modern by updating the bedding, and bringing in modern accents. Modern and traditional can co-mingle successfully!

Don't slipcover it - I've been wanting a bed like this for a long time.