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!
