Sunday 28 July 2013

Pressed for Time



I am seriously wishing I could rewind this month and do it over again, building in the appropriate amount of sewing time to achieve the bits and pieces I need to.  Crazy doesn't begin to cover what July has been and all of a sudden it's the end of the month!  Most alarmingly, I still have not finished my MIL's special birthday quilt which will be needed very soon and was planned to be finished by 31st - um, that's 3 days away!  Quick ostrich impersonation may be required.


Anyway, earlier this month I did make these two pretty new ironing board covers for the sewing room boards.  It was a weekend when I just couldn't face crawling around the floor in the sweltering heat trying to baste the sampler quilt - honest!  (Might be regretting that now!)

I haven't chosen to cover them in my favourite fabrics because I suspect they will be grotty again soon, but some affordable, pretty pink and green gingham does the trick and is certainly an improvement on this stained, holey mess -


For both boards I simply cut fabric two inches bigger than the board itself, pinned and stitched white bias tape with the pull string tucked carefully inside it (so as not to sew through it) all around.  Then, I cut one piece of leftover dec weight fabric and two layers of wadding to the exact size of the board, keeping the dec weight uppermost so it would be immediately underneath the gingham (to provide another layer between the heat of the iron and contact with the wadding).  Stack them all in the right order, and place the upside down board on top and pull the cord tight.  Tie off and hey presto!  Pretty pressing boards!

The extra layer of wadding has made such a difference to how well things press on them now.  Don't know why but it works.

Tip - keep the dec weight fabric pale enough that the colour or pattern doesn't show through your cover fabric.


Hope that all made sense!

11 comments:

  1. Making a new cover for my ironing board is on the top of my list, I even have the fabric pulled, and I keep seeing post where others have just done it. Must be a thing. I should get mine done, it is currently far worse than your old one. Good luck with that quilt, coffee and late night sewing might help.

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  2. My ironing board looks like a road accident it is so beat up. One day I shall get around to copying you.

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  3. Great makes. I could do with making over my ironing board cover. I also love the Ikea table top pressing boards...wish I'd slipped on in my bag from the Retreat as no ikea near here!

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  4. Lovely! I can never understand why people use their favourite fabrics - my ironing board looks like a prop from CSI after about 3 outings! I must follow your example xxx

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  5. They look great! I wonder how long they will stay nice and un-scorched!! Jxo

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  6. Good tip about recovering the ironing boards. Guess that you will be basting that quilt pronto! Di x

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  7. I'm thinking of recovering my iron board for quite some time. It looks disgusting! I might get to it this week, especially now that I see how nice your ones look.

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  8. could do with following your good example one query what is dec fabric? or am I being stupid not knowing, would not surprise me. See no one else has asked but need to know these things!
    Best if luck finishing MIL`s quilt, at least it is not going to be so hot for a couple of days.

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  9. Beautifully described Sarah!I must get around to copying that idea...

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  10. Sarah you have read my mind. I need to cover my board too but it a job for after the bub arrives. Thanks for the tutorial and tips I was wondering how I was going to do it!

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  11. Good luck with MIL's quilt, you will get it done

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