We usually spend some of our summer holidays at our farm. The weather is hot, hot, hot with most days at least 40 degrees Celsius. So it is a perfect time to be inside sewing during the heat of the day. I have my grandmother's old ironing board at the farm, and it was desperately in need of a new cover. In a nod to my fabric-hoarding predecessor, my Mum and I dug out an old piece of fabric from Grandma's stash.
In a combined effort, Mum sewed while I wrote the tutorial :) Requirements:
Two pieces of fabric the length x width of your ironing board plus approximately 8 inches. We used the old floral fabric for one side, and a blue and white micro-check for the other. Our ironing board is 54" long and 15" wide at the heel end.
1.5 yards 1/4" elastic
Lay the two fabric pieces on a flat surface, right sides together. Lay the ironing board on top of the fabric, table side down.
Mark a line 4" beyond the perimeter of the ironing board.
Cut both fabrics along this line. Pin the two pieces together.
Using a 1/4" seam, sew the two pieces together, leaving a gap for turning at the straight end of the cover. If you have an overlocker, simply overlock the pieces together. Mum says the gap needs to be big enough to get your fist in!
Turn the cover right side out through the gap. Press the seam.
Topstitch 1/8" from the edge, leaving an inch gap for inserting elastic later. Topstitch a second row of stitching 5/8" from the edge to form a casing.
Thread the 1/4" elastic through the casing. Place the cover over the ironing board and adjust the elastic to length such that the cover fits the board firmly. Secure the elastic to length with a few stitches, or knot it if you're feeling lazy :) Trim any surplus elastic. Done, ready for action! In Mum's words, "A blind man would be pleased to see that".
And in a nod to Jamie Oliver, whose 30-minute Meals take me two hours, we relinquish all responsibility for the claim that you will whip this ironing board cover up in the time declared :) Kind regards, Bloom and Bloom's Mum
Fabulous! I just pinned this, and I'm going to whip one up soon! We desperately need a new cover on the board, and I do happen to have a few "scraps" of fabric lying around the house...
Great tute! I really need a new ironing board cover so I will be giving this a go...do you put a layer of batting underneath the cover? Also thanks for making me laugh with the bit about Jamie Oliver!
Jessica, we do have a piece of thick felt, cut to size, between the cover and the board. It is decades old, but still does the trick. As for Jamie, he must have plenty of sous chefs to do his preparation because we've tried several of his recipes, and they take half an hour just for the chopping :) Every one of them has been absolutely delicious though!
Nicely finished cover - great tutorial indeed! My mum taught me to always leave the previous covers in place (assuming they are not in too bad shape!) to continue to "build" the base. Now I just need to find a new iron that doesn't do that annoying beeping as it auto-offs! Thanks for your very informative blog!
Always the late one to find wonderful blogs and fantastic tips, I just wanted to comment that ironing boards must have adopted a standard size from way before our time. But, thanks for the wonderful tutorial, and next time mine needs a new cover I'll make one, rather than buy one.
Thanks, this is perfect, my cover needs a freshen up, so I know what I shall be doing in the current heatwave. Thanks to both of you for a quick, no fuss tutorial.
Drat! I just bought a new ironing board cover! I could have made a much nicer one with your lovely tutorial. Mind you, who wants to iron in this heatwave?!
I am amazed at this tutorial. We just moved in to a "new to us" house and it has an old built in ironing board that needs a new cover. I am assuming I can just follow your tutorial with smaller measurements!
I love it! Thank you, I'm in need of a new cover and just didn't want to spend on one when I have perfectly good (and much prettier) fabric in my stash!
My ironing board cover is in sore need of being replaced. It had occurred to me to make one but I have been too .lazy to even think about it. Now I have no excuse! As for Jamie Oliver, I always suspected those 30 minute meals would take longer, but two hours?
I have a naked ironing board within sight at this very moment! I've been postponing making a cover, because I didn't know what to use for batting. Any recommendations?
Thanks to you and your mom and your grandmother, once I get the batting question resolved, I will make a reversible cover instead of the ordinary one-sided cover I had planned. Procrastination pays!
Try an old wool army blanket for the batting. These can be found in yard sales, Goodwill, Salvation army stores etc. I cut two layers and it furnishes a good cushion. I'm still using mine after 7 years. Hope this helps. Becky
Thank you I much for this tutorial. You saved me so much time! This is the perfect design for several reasons. 1) I really dislike turning under a hem, especially with so many curves. Your two layer designed eliminated that time-consuming step. 2) I washed my last cover, which had the had attached to the back. The pad was destroyed in the process. Keeping the pad separate will allow me to wash the fabric cover without that problem. 3) I was concerned that the fabric I was going to use was too thin, but your double layer design eliminated that concern too. Thanks a bunch, my new cover is awesome!
What a nice big ironing board you have! Mine is 44" long x 13" wide at the heel. It's a great idea to make a 2-sided cover. The last ironing board cover I bought (to save myself time) *faded* onto my expensive quilt fabric. Never again! I'm going to make this one this evening. Thanks so much for posting his tutorial!
This is so great it needs not only a new cover,but someone already asked my question,about padding I desperately need some,I have to put fabric under fabric to iron!!Thanks again for the DIY..I am just starting to have to do that!!
Thanks for that ironing board cover. I have been making my own covers for decades but only a one sided one - I will try the two sided one next time. By the way, I use 100% cotton drapery material and it sure lasts a long time even after washing. As for padding I use the thick polyester batting - which I also use as my design board cover. Fabric sticks to it and stays in place, it does not slip down.
Finished my new cover and LOVE your directions. I used 100% cotton on one side and a scrap of ugly canvas on the back. I used string to gather so that I can switch sides. I plan on using the canvas side for crafting and the cotton side for ironing.
Brilliant job and will try this when my board next needs a new one off designer cover :D Well done!! Rose - NZ
ReplyDeleteFabulous! I just pinned this, and I'm going to whip one up soon! We desperately need a new cover on the board, and I do happen to have a few "scraps" of fabric lying around the house...
ReplyDeleteGreat tute! I really need a new ironing board cover so I will be giving this a go...do you put a layer of batting underneath the cover? Also thanks for making me laugh with the bit about Jamie Oliver!
ReplyDeleteJessica, we do have a piece of thick felt, cut to size, between the cover and the board. It is decades old, but still does the trick. As for Jamie, he must have plenty of sous chefs to do his preparation because we've tried several of his recipes, and they take half an hour just for the chopping :) Every one of them has been absolutely delicious though!
DeleteNicely finished cover - great tutorial indeed! My mum taught me to always leave the previous covers in place (assuming they are not in too bad shape!) to continue to "build" the base. Now I just need to find a new iron that doesn't do that annoying beeping as it auto-offs! Thanks for your very informative blog!
DeleteAlways the late one to find wonderful blogs and fantastic tips, I just wanted to comment that ironing boards must have adopted a standard size from way before our time. But, thanks for the wonderful tutorial, and next time mine needs a new cover I'll make one, rather than buy one.
DeleteThanks, this is perfect, my cover needs a freshen up, so I know what I shall be doing in the current heatwave.
ReplyDeleteThanks to both of you for a quick, no fuss tutorial.
LOL! We have Jamie's book too and they ALWAYS take longer than 30mins. Covering the ironing board is a great idea! Jxo
ReplyDeleteAwesome tutorial I have bookmarked for mr to do!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I like this! I'm going to use this method when it's time to make my new cover!
ReplyDeletemy current cover has soooo many patches and holes. Thank you for giving me the ta-da moment to correct its sorry state.
ReplyDeleteFabulous tuto! Thanks... have fun with your Mom!
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
It's very, very vwonderful!
Mary
Looks GREAT ladies. I just might have to try this while going through MY fabrics this week.
ReplyDeleteDrat! I just bought a new ironing board cover! I could have made a much nicer one with your lovely tutorial.
ReplyDeleteMind you, who wants to iron in this heatwave?!
I am amazed at this tutorial. We just moved in to a "new to us" house and it has an old built in ironing board that needs a new cover. I am assuming I can just follow your tutorial with smaller measurements!
ReplyDeleteI like it! By making it reversible you overcome some of the curvy seam issues and end up with a choice of covers.
ReplyDeleteHope you manage ok with the current heat wave - I guess you have some air con?
Thanks for a great tutorial, Love it!
ReplyDeleteGreat post...I too have Jamie Oliver issues!!! lol
ReplyDeleteI love it! Thank you, I'm in need of a new cover and just didn't want to spend on one when I have perfectly good (and much prettier) fabric in my stash!
ReplyDeleteThe cover looks great. So lovely you could use some of your Nan's fabric. Your blog post is entertaining as always. Enjoy the holidays :) Leanne
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant! My ironing board cover is a disgrace. I'm going to go whip one up now. Thank you so much for sharing these instructions.
ReplyDeleteMy ironing board cover is in sore need of being replaced. It had occurred to me to make one but I have been too .lazy to even think about it. Now I have no excuse! As for Jamie Oliver, I always suspected those 30 minute meals would take longer, but two hours?
ReplyDeleteI have two ironing boards (I know, crazy or what!!!) and both are in need of new covers. Time to follow your lead...J
ReplyDeleteI have a naked ironing board within sight at this very moment! I've been postponing making a cover, because I didn't know what to use for batting. Any recommendations?
ReplyDeleteThanks to you and your mom and your grandmother, once I get the batting question resolved, I will make a reversible cover instead of the ordinary one-sided cover I had planned. Procrastination pays!
Try an old wool army blanket for the batting. These can be found in yard sales, Goodwill, Salvation army stores etc. I cut two layers and it furnishes a good cushion. I'm still using mine after 7 years. Hope this helps.
DeleteBecky
Thank you I much for this tutorial. You saved me so much time! This is the perfect design for several reasons. 1) I really dislike turning under a hem, especially with so many curves. Your two layer designed eliminated that time-consuming step. 2) I washed my last cover, which had the had attached to the back. The pad was destroyed in the process. Keeping the pad separate will allow me to wash the fabric cover without that problem. 3) I was concerned that the fabric I was going to use was too thin, but your double layer design eliminated that concern too. Thanks a bunch, my new cover is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this tutorial. I have made ironing board covers before but never 2 sided. This is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Just covered my board after a terrible interfacing accident and it looks much better :)
ReplyDeleteMade it! Love it!
ReplyDeleteQuilter K in So Cal
Nice cover :) . To make your ironing tasks easy you can also try Bathla ironing table with cover. Recently I have this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice big ironing board you have! Mine is 44" long x 13" wide at the heel. It's a great idea to make a 2-sided cover. The last ironing board cover I bought (to save myself time) *faded* onto my expensive quilt fabric. Never again! I'm going to make this one this evening. Thanks so much for posting his tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I made it and I am so happy with my new ironing board cover! Thanks so much for the tuto!
ReplyDeleteHugs Martina
This is so great it needs not only a new cover,but someone already asked my question,about padding I desperately need some,I have to put fabric under fabric to iron!!Thanks again for the DIY..I am just starting to have to do that!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that ironing board cover. I have been making my own covers for decades but only a one sided one - I will try the two sided one next time. By the way, I use 100% cotton drapery material and it sure lasts a long time even after washing. As for padding I use the thick polyester batting - which I also use as my design board cover. Fabric sticks to it and stays in place, it does not slip down.
ReplyDeleteWhat brand and weight is the batting you use for the padding and design wall?
DeleteThank you
I struggled with a single layer cover a while back.....your idea is much better. [and easier] Thanks and Merry Christmas!
DeletePS....best to leave the previous cover on for padding, unless it's badly worn...mine was just stained.
DeleteFinished my new cover and LOVE your directions. I used 100% cotton on one side and a scrap of ugly canvas on the back. I used string to gather so that I can switch sides. I plan on using the canvas side for crafting and the cotton side for ironing.
ReplyDelete