My (accidental) new ironing board cover

I was ironing some really cute fabric I got (and washed) when I noticed the grunge on my ironing board cover was bleeding through onto my pretty white fabric.  Ick.  So I tossed the cover into the wash figuring it would be fine because I wasn't going to put it in the dryer.  I made the cover last year and didn't bother taking the time to pre-wash the fabric which, apparently was a mistake.  I was dismayed to see that it shrank about 4 inches (ack!) and no longer fits my board and I really like that cover because it has a cute kind of Cath Kidston look at a fraction of the cost.  Look how short it is.  Sigh.

So, it looks like I need a new cover.  I picked through my fabrics and found a nice black and tan checked decorator weight fabric (I like to use it for the bottoms of my handbags because it makes them sturdier and is easy to wipe clean).  I don't like it as much as the red ticking but I will call it my winter cover and it will do for now.  So I washed it (yup) and set it on the floor under my ironing board and just cut around it about 3 inches out from the board.

I picked this cute Tracy Porter print for the casing.  I know nobody will see it but I know it's there and it's cute.  I love this fabric line and you can get it at Joann for a great price (especially if you have a coupon).

I cut strips 2 inches wide on the bias, sewed them together at the ends (I needed around 125 inches in length) and folded it lengthwise.  I stitched it on the wrong side of the checked fabric (about 1/4 inch seam allowance) leaving an opening at the center of the bottom to pull the cord through. I turned the casing over to the right side of the checked fabric, pressed it and stitched it in place.

I used the kind of string you get for window blinds or roman shades since I can pull it tight and it will stay that way (without breaking). Using my nifty bodkin I pulled it through in no time.

I pulled it nice and snug (using my big toe to hold the string in place while tying a knot since there was nobody around who's finger I could borrow) and tied a tight knot. This cord is pretty easy to untie when I need to remove it. Isn't it cute?

It's nice to have a fresh, clean ironing board cover and I can use this cover as my pattern so I can make one for every season! Here's the finished look.  Isn't the underneath part cute?  And this one won't shrink!

Comments

[KellyinVA]

OK, you're a genius. That is a great idea. I'd probably be bending over a lot, just so I could look at the cute trim!

[JennyT]

Oh man, now I have to go make myself a new ironing board cover.

[Lisa]

I love this tutorial. I have an old board that was quite pricey. The cover was ruined somehow and I have been tempted to toss the board because I have not been able to find a large enough cover to replace it.

Light bulb moment! I'll make my own. Great idea. Thanks!

[Shelley Jo]

Thanks so much for this! I have an ironing board that has cover that is a little too thin. Sometimes when I iron stuff, the metal lattice pattern gets temporarily imprinted on what I'm ironing! That's how thin the cover is. But if I made another cover and put it on top of the one that's on it now, that would maybe eliminate the problem. If not, I could add a thin layer of batting in between. Cool tutorial. Thanks again!

[edith]

Thanks for the instructions, I was needing to make a new cover for my board... and now I have no excuse not to.

[edith]

Thanks for the instructions, I was needing to make a new cover for my board... and now I have no excuse not to.

[edith]

Thanks for the instructions, I was needing to make a new cover for my board... and now I have no excuse not to.

[edith]

Thanks for the instructions, I was needing to make a new cover for my board... and now I have no excuse not to.