Make an Ironing Board Cover

 

Do you have an ironing board cover that needs to go?  Clearly, I had a couple of them.  Being in the business of sewing for myself and teaching others how to sew, I eventually need to replace my covers.  They always get heat damaged and sustain a lot of abuse with fusible interfacing.  One of my favorite things has been to go buy new, fresh covers and pads from the local hard ware store.  

 Well, the week I started this project, I had an unexpected visit to the sewing machine repair shop and my budget for comfort spending was blown.  That, along with the fact that my mom just sent me a huge box of fabric she de-stashed from her closet,  made me realize I could just make one (or two actually) instead.  So below is a quick tutorial.

First, you will need the following supplies:

two yards of cotton fabric - pre-washed for shrinkage
two packages of 1/2" wide single fold binding
Cotton batting - 1 package should do you with left overs.
thread, cotton twine
General sewing supplies

1) Remove your old ironing board cover from the ironing board.
2) Iron it flat to get out the wrinkles.  - for this step you will probably have to put a towel or two down on your dining room table or ironing board, since now it has no cover.

 3. Place the pad on two layers of cotton batting and use pad like a pattern.  Cut out batting in the same shape.

 4. Next, place ugly board cover on one layer of fresh fabric to use as a pattern.  Cut out one layer the same shape as original cover.

 5. Fold back the end of the bias tape and unfold one long side.  Stitch bias tape to right side of cover around outside edge.  Be sure to match the edges and stitch in the crease.

 You can see the stitching in the crease above and below.

 6. After stitching around entire cover, fold back bias and press flat.

 7.  Fold bias to wrong side and press.

 Note: both ends of bias have been folded back prior to stitching, in order to give a clean opening for which to draw the cord through.

 8. Note that you will leave a small space between the two ends of the bias tape.

 9.  Stitch down bias tape on inside edge, as close to the folded edge as possible.

 10. Thread a bodkin (or long embroidery needle) with enough cotton twine to make it around the entire cover in the casing you have just created.

11.  Draw twine through casing all the way till you have tails coming out of each opening.

12.  Place cotton batting on ironing board.  Place cover on top of batting with wrong side of fabric facing the batting (right side up).

13.  Cinch ends of twine till cover is fitted tightly around and tie off for security.  I usually do a bow with a double knot.

One of my finished Ironing board covers!

Voila! you are done!