How to Make an Ironing Board Cover

This is outrageously easy, but then, really easy is really good — right? You won't need to make a casing, obtain cord for ties, or even thread a cord for the casing because we are going to use the casing from the old ironing board cover (IBC). Of course, in order to follow this tutorial the casing on your old IBC will need to be intact. If it isn't, you will need to go learn How to Make an Ironing Board Cover from Scratch!

NB: all seam allowances are 1cm (3/8”), unless otherwise stated. Pattern includes 1cm seam allowance.

1. 

    Remove IBC and padding from ironing board.
   Remove IBC and padding from ironing board.Important - do not cut the ties or the casing. You need to keep them in one piece for later. Smooth out the IBC completely flat and press (heh! now you've no ironing board to press the IBC on; you can use a towel on the table).
2. 

   Measure & mark a 1" (2.5cm) margin all around the old IBC.
   Mark a 1" margin all around the IBC

. Measure 1" (2.5cm) from the outer edge of the casing all around the IBC .

1. 

   Make the first incision straight into the 1" (2.5cm) margin. Don't cut through the casing and string.
   Cut the 1" (2.5cm) margin off from the old IBC

. Be careful not to make the first incision from the outer edge of the IBC . Keep the precious margin for later.

1. 

   Snip snip all around the old IBC adding a 1" (2.5cm) margin.
   Cut out the new IBC fabric.

Lay the old IBC (minus the margin you've just cut off) onto your new IBC fabric and using the old IBC as a guide cut out the new IBC plus a 1" (2.5cm) margin. Set aside the old IBC , you're done with it now.

1. Pin the 1" (2.5cm) margin (with casing and tie) of the old IBC

to the new IBC fabric. Bring the right sides (and raw edges) of the margin and the new IBC fabric together. Match the position of the flat edge and pointed ends (of the IBC ) on the margin to the new IBCas best as you can - it doesn't have to be exact as all of this will be on the underside.

1. 

   This shows pinning stopped just before the tip; there doesn't appear to be enough old IBC margin for the new IBC fabric. That's OK; it's all part of the plan.
   Start pinning the two fabrics together at the flat end (or bottom end) of the IBC

. Work your way up evenly on both sides (in other words do not pin one side to the pointed end before doing the other side). Stop pinning before you reach the tip (see pic).

1. 

    Make a pen mark at the approx centre of the tip of the new IBC and a corresponding centre mark on the tip of the old IBC margin.
   Pin the 2 centre points together. Continue pinning the margin to the new IBC fabric.

1. 

    Don't mind the ruffles.
   Don't mind the ruffles. As you pin the margin to the new IBC

you'll notice that the new IBC fabric ruffles up. Ruffling up is all right, just keep the ruffles reasonably equal in size and be generous with the pins.

1. 

    Stitch the margin to the new IBC.
   Stitch the margin to the new IBC

fabric. It is recommended that you have no less than a 1cm (3/8") seam allowance, and stitch on the margin side, it's easier. If you have a stitch on your sewing machine (like the one that the scissors are pointing to in this image), use that because it does a straight stitch and a zig-zag all in one go, which is handy because it stitches fabrics and prevents the raw edges from fraying at the same time. Use a short length stitch for strength (because the margin is going to take a lot of tension from having the ties pulled taut in side the casing) with a wide zig-zag. If you don't have a stitch like this on your sewing machine, just sew using a short length straight stitch and then go over the raw edges with a zig-zag stitch.

1. 

    Cut furnishing fabric to fit ironing board frame.
   Cut furnishing fabric to fit ironing board frame.This heavy-ish fabric will bulk up the old ironing board padding and will prevent the grid of the frame coming through on your ironing (which is so annoying!). Use your ironing board as a guide and cut around with approx 2cm extra.
2. 

    Assemble your brand spanking new ironing board.
   Assemble your brand spanking new ironing board. Starting from the bottom:
   • lay the new IBC

wrong side up, then the old padding, then the furnishing fabric piece, and finally the ironing board frame on the table.

1. • jiggle the layers around until all is even.
2. Pull the ties until your fingers go white, tie into a bow, and you're all done. Bet you can't wait to attack that mountain of ironing now... hmm

... perhaps you can.

• IBC

= ironing board cover.

• 100% cotton fabric (quilt to medium weight works best)
• Some heavy-ish weight 100% cotton furnishing (home dec weight) fabric