This is a quick project to get stuck into and there are so many gorgeous fabrics out there that you can “pretty up” your ironing board in no time.

This pattern does not call for elastic or bias binding, just some fabric and cord, but we need to work around this, taking the curves etc. into consideration. We want to cut our fabric on the straight grain because it is much more practical if it lies flat and taut on the ironing board, with no room for manoeuvre. However, we need to work around some very steep curves which would normally not be a problem if we were cutting on the bias. What to do? Read on.

NOTE: Different colour thread may be used in photographs/video for clarity.

Requirements

  • • Enough fabric to cover the length and width of your ironing board plus 3” all around. Heavy-weight/upholstery-weight cotton or cotton/linen blend is best (do not use synthetic fabric).
  • • Ironing board underlay: I bought mine in my local supermarket. It is best if you use this or something similar as it is manufactured specifically for the purpose, can take the heat and is much safer.
  • • Cord: Enough to go around the perimeter of your ironing board plus at least another 1½ mtrs.
  • • Thread.
  • • Pen and paper.
  • • Sewing machine.
  • Directions

    1 Turn your ironing board (IB) upside down, lay it on some newspaper and draw all around the edge with a pen. If this is not convenient, take off the cover that is on the IB and use that as a pattern. Now add 2½”/3” all around the edge. This may seem like a lot, but we need enough to allow for the depth of the IB, the underlay and two hem allowances. Place pattern on your fabric and cut out.

    2 Trim away the 2½”/3” all around the edge of the pattern and then lay this new size pattern on your underlay. Cut out.

    3 Turn under a generous ¼” seam allowance on the fabric for your cover and sew all around the edge using a small straight stitch size 2.5. Press.

    4 Now increase stitch length to 6 (gathering stitch) and sew all around the curved area quite close to the edge, leaving plenty of thread at the beginning and end.

    5 Turn under ¾” hem and pin in place. When you reach the curved area, place a pin in the hem at every inch. It won’t want to lie flat, but keep going. When all the straight pins are in place, lay cover on a flat surface and pull up the gathering threads so that the hem now lies flat.

    6 Decrease stitch length back to 2.5 and sew hem all around the edge, over the gathered areas, creating a small channel for the cord and making sure to leave a 1” gap for cord insertion. Press.

    7 Cut six pieces of cord 10” long and attach to the IB cover following diagram as a guide.

    8 Using a bodkin or safety pin, insert cord through the channel, pulling cord all the way around back to the beginning and out through the gap.

    9 Place underlay on top of IB. Place fabric cover on top and draw up the cord to fit. Pull tight and knot. Turn IB upside down and knot other three ties. Your IB cover should be a real snug fit, taut and without any creases.

    NEXT WEEK

    Air your laundry in style with a novelty birdhouse peg bag.