Sunday 13 April 2014

Sewing Ironing Board Covers

Apologies, but this is going to be a photo heavy, boring post about sewing ironing board covers...
I've noticed heaps of tutorials for sewing ironing board covers in the past. I never read them with much interest. I like sewing dresses not inexpensive practical stuff, or so I thought! I mean, I sew my own knickers now - and I love it. On Saturday I found myself cross at my badly fitting Elisalex dress (I'll blog eventually) and needed a quick pick me up. The stained cover on my Ikea mini ironing board was driving me bananas, so I decided to replace it. I could have looked at any number of tutorials, but I decided to wing it instead.

DIY Ironing board cover
The finished product, and the naughty Elisalex dress. 
First I unpicked the my old cover. It had a round of thin elastic sewn into a casing. I removed the casing and noticed that the elastic was in great nic so I could re-use it. I used the the unpicked scummy cover as a pattern for my new cover. 


The recycled elastic
I decided to make two, this way I can swap them over regularly to pop in the washing machine. I cut one out a quilting cotton (red and black diamond pattern) and the other out of some bright pink linen.


I used the recycled elastic in the pink cover. I didn't want to cut the elastic in half prior to insertion as it was already the perfect size for the cover. I cut a long strip (around 2"wide) of a contrasting fabric for the elastic casing. I attached the casing right sides facing to the cover with the elastic inside the casing. As I sewed around the cover I pulled the elastic tight towards me.


DIY Ironing board cover

 It looked like a giant shower cap upon completion, but fit perfectly.

DIY Ironing board cover

DIY Ironing board cover

 For the second cover I used some wide bias binding for the casing and piping cord to tighten the cover around the board. I first made up the piping as you would normally, but making sure not to sew over the cord as it needs to be loose to tighten properly. I then attached the casing right sides facing to the cover, finished the raw edge and that's it.
 
I popped it on the board, tightened and tied a bow.  

DIY Ironing board cover

DIY Ironing board cover

That's two new ironing board covers made in around an hour or so. Now that I know they're so easy to make I'll be on the look out for some sewing themed fabric or perhaps polka dots to match my chair. 

10 comments:

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  2. I love the cotton! Super cute ironing board.. I think it would make an awesome pair of shorts too..

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    1. Thanks Kim! I love it too but couldn't get my head around the pattern matching a garment would require.

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  3. Excellent ;) Just for curiosity, do you have a preference for either method? I agree with Kim as well - the geometric fabric is fun - and as I gaze at my stained ex-new cover (with interfacing residue), I really should replace mine (again) soon...

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    1. No preference. They both fit great. The elastic method was quicker though as it included one less step. When you find yourself in the mood make multiple!

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    2. I really need to do this, my cover is looking very sorry for itself.

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  4. I'm so jealous of your covers, they look amazing. Mine is decidedly sorry looking and this may be the motivation I need to change it.

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    1. Yay! you should give it a go. It will take no time at all once you get started!

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  5. Both look awesome, love the little ironing board too!

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    1. Thanks! I have a bigger one we use for regular clothes ironing but this is so convenient for sewing!

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