How to Make an Ironing Board Cover

Wash and press your new fabric.

Lay pattern paper over ironing board so that it covers it completely. Use tape to hold it in place.  Trace the outline of the board.  Cut out your custom template.

Place the paper template on fabric; pin in place.  Mark a 2.5 inch border on the fabric around the template with a ruler.  Cut the fabric along this border using the pinking shears. Set aside.

 

Place the paper template on the batting and pin in place, just as you did with the fabric.  If you use the mid-loft batting, you may want to fold the batting and cut two layers out at once.

Cut around the edge of the template, then lay it on the ironing board and trim any excess batting. The batting should sit neatly on top of the board without drooping over the edges.

Layer the fabric right-side up on the batting.  Baste in place, making sure to capture all of the batting.

It may be helpful to mark a simple pattern on the fabric before you quilt it.  I marked diagonal lines, spaced about 4 inches apart, at a 45-degree angle.  You don't need an intricate design, just a few simple lines to secure the batting.

Quilt the cover.  Backstitch at the beginning and end of each line, at the edge of the batting.  It is not neccessary to stitch all the way to the edge of the fabric. 

Lay the cover right side down on your work table.  Turn and pin a 1/2-inch hem all the way around the edge of the cover.  Clip once or twice into the curves to make it easier to turn.

 

Sew the hem with a scant 1/8-inch seam.

Thread the cotton twine or elastic through the hem using a bodkin or safety pin.  Fit the cover  on the ironing board and secure it in place with a bow (If you use elastic, overlap the ends and stitch them together).  Tuck the ends of the bow into the hem if you like. 

Because my ironing board is sort of narrow, I added two bands of elastic to the underside of the cover, one-third of the way from the front and one-third of the way from the back.  These help keep the cover in place when it is in storage, or when I'm ironing something unruly like a giant tablecloth.  Okay, that doesn't happen very often, but when it does I'll be ready!
 

Comments

[rhea]

You have no idea how timely this is! I just got a new iron (after seeing the glory of the shop's iron), but I'm stuck with my mom's ancient torn and just plain grim-looking iron board cover. I can't wait to get started! Thanks!

[Heather]

Ok, who did these illustrations? They're beautiful.

[purl bee]

Isabelle did them! Aren't they wonderful?!

[snq]

thank you for the instructions, was just what i needed, & worked beautifully!!

[Mamie]

A friend makes these covers and sells them for $25.00. They don't sound to difficult so maybe I will make one instead of buying one.

[Joanne]

My son tried a variety of stores and types of ironing board covers, but none fit his long board. He asked me if I could make him one. THANK YOU for this site. It will save me from "re-inventing the wheel."

Question: Should the batting be 100% cotton? Wouldn't polyester batting melt under a hot iron?

[purl bee]

Hi Joanne,
We definitely recommend 100% cotton for the batting!
You can find all of our cotton batting at this link:
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/battinglist/fiber,2

[kissamew]

I bought a super large ironing board years ago and have never found covers to fit. Maybe I made my covers the hard way, I turned the iron board over onto paper and traced the edge around and added more for being able to cover the edges and pull string though too. I use sheets, flannel and cotton, and cotton quilt batting too. The sheets do not bleed, being washed beyond that point.

[Judi]

Thank you! I am a quilter and have been looking for a small pressing surface to use when quilting. Had decided on an oval wooden tv tray but did not like the idea (found on many quilting pages) of stapling the materials to the underside of the table. This is my answer. Tell me what type of cloth you recommend.

[nirmal]

I don't use elastic to fit the iron board cover, instead I insert light weight stretchable cord thourgh the casing and pull it under the wider edge and tie a tight know there as needed.

[Debo]

This was so helpful! I used two layers of boiled wool and upholstery fabric to cover my board.
Here's my Picasa pictures
https://picasaweb.google.com/ing.debo/IroningBoardReCover?authkey=Gv1sRgCILbjdOV9Jy7Pg

[Susan Vaughn]

I made an ironing board cover yesterday with cotton decorator fabric, a 3" border around the perimeter of the board to make the pattern, a surged edge, and I used Wonder Under to adhere the cotton batting to the inside of the new cover. Perfect. The batting doesn't bunch up or move at all. I had made a cover several months ago with elastic and found it did not work as well as twine pulled through the hem pocket with a plastic lock to tighten and secure the ends.