It’s been a week, dear reader, quite a week. I’ve been a little overwhelmed over the past little while and it finally caught up with me last week as I took a downward spiral into a nice head-cold. Still coughing a bit, but on the whole feeling much better. And it gave me a nice excuse to lay in bed and get feeling better and tell people, “I simply can’t, I’m not feeling well.” This whole ordeal is, of course, a classic problem with me and that is the problem of saying “no” to people. Anyone else have this problem? It’s hard for me to combat. To put it simply, I’m a work in progress, and that’s saying something. I could take a better cue from The Selfish Seamstress in all aspects of life. Her haiku are simply marvelous and some definite words to live by. Sigh….
Enough about that. Last week I said I was going to post a tutorial on how to make your own ironing board cover and then well, I went off the deep end for a minute. Seriously though, have you ever thought about this? I hadn’t. Not because I didn’t want to, but because in the time it would take to sew up one of these I could sew up a sweet skirt or simple sheath dress and since my time is rather precious and I don’t have ample amounts to sew anyway I really didn’t want to spend it doing this. Not saying that this takes a huge amount of time, but I’m sure you get my drift. Whatever. I told you I had the trouble of getting a new ironing board and iron and that I couldn’t really find a board cover that was going to work. Have you taken a look at the ironing board covers that are available lately? They are total….crap. Ummm…a polyurethane liner? This is disgraceful! First being it is not a natural fiber whatsoever, second that because it’s not a natural fiber it doesn’t breathe at all and then moisture gets caught within the cover and in between the liner and the board, then causing rusting which will seep through to your clothing and stain; a stain that will not come out. Not to mention, the actual cover, though claiming it is 100% cotton acts like it is a cotton/polyester blend, which has the same effect on the board as the synthetic liner. After a thorough and exhausting search of all the nearest stores, I did an internet search of some tutorials for an ironing board cover and found that they lacked certain things that I had to have in an ironing board cover. Let’s get a few things straight here:
- I wanted something that would last a good long while.
- I wanted to use all natural fibers that would “breathe.”
- I did not want that stupid drawstring thing, which does not really work unless the drawstring is encased in a casing along with elastic. Encasing a drawstring alone in a thread serged casing is AWFUL!!! The drawstring and casing has broken every time for me.
OK, I let it all out. That does feel rather good. So here it is folks, a small and very easy tutorial on how to make your own ironing board cover. I realize the materials are a little on the spendy side, but I believe, being a seamstress, that pressing is an absolute must while sewing. Sew, why not give yourself the best quality out there and sew it yourself. I found it was easy to make two of these bad boys at the same time and that will last me even longer! Now that is something to smile about. For all your stitchers out there, here’s a little something that will make your pressing troubles a little better. Enjoy!
Click here for the tutorial.
Peter - Sunni, this is marvelous, and couldn’t have come at a better time since my ironing board is, as they say in Yeddish, a SHONDA (a disgrace).
I really WANT to make my own but those Bed, Bath & Beyond 20% off coupons are so tempting. I think you may have convinced me, though.
Glad you’re feeling better. I had something that lasted more than two weeks and, two weeks after that, still don’t feel up to going to the gym.
Hang in there!
Gertie - Oooh, thank you! This is marvelous. I desperately need to make one of these. Also, I noticed your iron – it’s a Black and Decker classic, right? I’ve been thinking about buying one. How do you like it?
The Cupcake Goddess - Oh Im so glad you both like it! Gertie, yes this is a Black and Decker Classic. Ive owned three of these babies and they are superb. I would still have the first if my husband hadnt broken it by knocking my beloved ironing board over and then sending the iron to the floor where the handle broke in two. The second I do believe was a factory reject that somehow got past the tester, but these things do happen to me too often. It began to leak out water from the handle. Anyway, Im on my third. Ha. Its been fabulous and I cant say how great these irons are. They have adequate weight plus they get very hot and they provide good steam. If you have occasion to find an actual vintage one that still works, those are even better. I have indeed used one of those and that was the best iron Ive ever used. A word to the wise, they have recently started making these irons with the teflon plates and those are no good. Teflon doesnt get very hot and it will start to flake off after awhile. Thankfully, they still make the old fashioned kind with the steel plate, and those are the ones to get. You will LOVE it. Promise.
Abby - What? Since when have you had a problem saying no? Oh yeah, since birth. Me too! There has to be a better way than turning into a hermit and saying your phone is lost. Hmmm.
vintagekitchenkitsch - Thanks so much for the tutorial! I have a vintage sleeve board that I need to recover. Let’s just say the smell that emanates from it when I use it is not aromatherapeautic.
vintagekitchenkitsch - Also, I forgot to ask what font that is on the PDF. It’s so cute! Thanks again, VKK
Catholic Bibliophagist - Good tutorial. I bought a very nice ironing board cover from Nancy’s Notions, but it’s shrunk over the years. I’ve never washed it, so I think it’s just from my steam ironing. Fortunately, the pad is a separate piece which still fits perfectly.
Rose - I’m a serial say-yes’er, often because of my own ideas, and not just because someone approaches me. Then I get carried away in a new project and find myself in a landslide. Right now I’m digging my heels in to stop the flow, but all sources tell me just to ride it out. Your sewing projects are incredible, from the colors to the patterns you choose. Now I have a new one to do, as seriously, my ironing board cover is atrocious!