In case you missed it, here the tutorial I recently guest-posted at Thrive:
Let's talk a bit about my ahem *cough* ironing board *cough*
OK ... it's horrible, not dirty but sadly a couple of burn marks and goop from Wonderunder, hem tape and other interfacing oopsies made it look pretty embarrassing. That doesn't wash off. Paying $15 for an ugly new ironing board cover.... nope, paying $25-30 for a cute one, I don't think so. So I made one the Thrive way: I only used what I had in my stash. This is how:
Before you get started:
Measure the width and length of your ironing board, and add twice the thickness + 1 inch for the sewing allowance. For me it came down to 20"x 54".
Measure the perimeter of your ironing board and add 1/2 inch for the sewing allowance. For me: 122".
Supplies (substitute your own measurements):
- 20"x54"cotton fabric
Pieced fabric is OK (unless you are fussy like me about pressing seams for sewing like me that's 99% of the ironing I ever do). I used a donated home decor fabric remnant (55" wide) but you can use most cotton fabrics. No synthetic fibers: Remember it shouldn't melt when you use the iron on it.
- fabric strip 122" long by 2/12 to 3 inch wide. Can be the same as the top
A fat quarter is enough to make the length needed here. If you are friends with a quilter, that's the type of strips used to bind quilts. I had some left overs from a previous quilt. You will have to piece several shorter strips together to make up the whole length.
- string or ribbon - about 12 foot long
I had a pack of old bias tape that I zig-zag stitched to make the length but cotton packing string works fine.
- your sewing gear - including a sewing machine
- OPTIONAL: Left over cotton batting 20"x54"
Quilters always have smaller pieces left over from large quilts, you can even piece several together using a wide zigzag stitch to make the size but if you keep the old cover underneath you won't need this.Ready ? Let's tackle the job:
- Take the "ugly beast" and lay it upside down on your fabric
- Trace the outline with an extra allowance for the thickness of you ironing board plus 1/4 inch for seam allowance.
- Cut the fabric following the outline
- Repeat with the batting (optional)
- Take the long fabric strip and fold it in half lengthwise
- Use your
nastyold ironing board cover one last time to press it- Cut to size (i.e. perimeter of the ironing board + 1/2")
- Press the ends folding 1/4 inch in and hem them
- Place the batting and top fabric pieces together (again - optional)
- Pin the folded strip as shown starting in the middle of the square end of the board
- Stitch all the way around with 1/4 inch allowance
Now we are getting somewhere
- Use a safety pin to thread your string/ribbon through the channel
- Put your pretty cover on your ugly beast, tighten and knot the ribbon/ string
And there it is all prettified
One last look at the before and after
Much better right ?
What a great fix!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and linking up!
Ashley
www.simplydesigning.blogspot.com
Oh, I am so in NEED to fix my board as well. Thanks for the tute. It will help me a lot!
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I' just started my ironing board redo! Excited now to finish it.
ReplyDeleteGood idea! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Perhaps one of these days my ugly ironing board will overcome my laziness, and I will be back to look at your instructions more closely.
ReplyDeleteYes, so much better! I need a new cover for mine, too, but I can't sew! lol
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and am your newest follower. Thanks for creating such an inspiring and fun place to visit. Ironing board cover looks AMAZING!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I just did the same thing with my steam press ironing board cover, only I purchased drill cloth for the cover and used ironing board batting. But I bought everything with a 40% off coupon at Joann's so that's a savings!
ReplyDeleteI need to do this--right.now! My current cover looks exactly like your before pic. Thanks for sharing this tutorial!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for sharing! You did a great job! Your newest follower. Hope you can visit me sometime.
ReplyDeleteGirl, we have the exact same ironing board! My came with a really ugly floral print fabric on it though. I have loads of burn marks pieces of melted stitch witchery and glitter that will not wash out. This tutorial is perfect for me, thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteOhhh... YES! thank you for the tutorial! My ironing board is just embarassingly awful and I need a new cover badly!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial! Please stop by www.laughloveandcraft.com and link up to my Share the Wealth Wednesday Link Party!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from QuiltStory - thanks for posting this, I had an *ehem* inncident with my ironing board cover this week and was JUST thinking I should make a new cover. Now I know how!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to recover my ironing board forever!!! I'm a new followers of yours--love your blog. I'd love if you linked up to Sew Woodsy!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I found this because I was just thinking that my board really needs a new cover!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial!! This is on my list of things to do. Stopping by from A Little Knick Knack EBTKS. Your post caught my eye. I'm your newest follower too.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I shared this week:
http://craftybrooklynarmywife.blogspot.com/2011/05/wool-buffalo-check-coat-finished.html
I've seen a lot of tutorials, but I think yours is the best - I love the binding to form a casing - much simpler than making an even casing around the main fabric. I have mine all cut out, so now i'm off to sew!
ReplyDelete