How to Make an Ironing Board Cover Tutorial, with Only Basic Sewing and DIY skills
by Robin
Here’s a simple basic sewing and DIY project: how to make an ironing board cover. They don’t have to be ugly and utilitarian – they can make them match your decor with this simple project!
When we added the second floor to our house we put three bedrooms, a bathroom and moved the laundry room upstairs.
Best. Decision. Ever.
It cost us a bit extra for the plumbing, but the daily time it saves us has more than paid for it. No hauling clothes up and downstairs. No running to the basement to find clean underwear. I can be a bit lazy and leave the folded clothes on top of the machine and it doesn’t totally inconvenience us.
The only drawback, and it’s a tiny one, is that this room is a little bit ugly. It needed a bit of colour and prettiness. Just to make me smile when I work in there.
I’ve had four of these floral vintage curtain panels for more than 6 years. And for more than 6 years one of them has been draped over our ironing board in hopes that I will make it into a cover.
Nope. I’ve just been hanging it back over the top when we’re done with the ironing. But now that I am doing a Hard, Sweaty, Fun thing each day, I am getting on top of that someday-soon sort of projects.
Anyone can follow my simple steps of my how to make an ironing board cover tutorial. The fabric choices are limitless and it was super easy!
The difference with my DIY ironing board cover from other tutorials is that I used a piece of cording vs elastic. I made this choice for three reasons:
1) I had cording in my craft cupboard. I could get this done right away. A trip to the store would have meant I put it off for another 6 years. Sad, but true.
2) Sometimes elastic can get tired and stretched out. Given how long it took me to get moving on this project, I did not want to remake it later.
3) I used to be a sailing instructor (that’s how Ed and I met). I know knots. I have more confidence in my knot tying skills than my sewing of elastic.
What is the best fabric for an ironing board cover?
Hands down, natural fibres like cotton. Synthetics could melt when you’re, you know, ironing. 🙂
Also, look for ironing board fabrics that have very little stretch or give. This will ensure your DIY ironing board cover is around for years. Too much stretch and it will fall apart or be annoying to iron on. Think cotton like canvas, not like a t-shirt.
DIY Ironing Board Cover Tutorial
If there is a pattern that needs to be centred on your fabric, do that now.
(Apologies for the shaky shot. I can’t explain it, but my first shots are always terrible.)
(I improvised with sidewalk chalk.)
(I might have sung, “Connect the dots, La, La, La, La, La” in the style of Pee Wee Herman. You do that too, right?)
The curves will get lumpy, but that’s fine, it won’t show.
No photo for this: but now you sew!
Decide where you want the opening to be. You need a small opening (a couple inches), to insert your cord (see photo below). I chose to put mine in the side versus the end, just because the curvy areas need to be well stitched to lay properly.
Sew on the inside edge of your cover. You’re making a tube for the cord to travel through.
Go around twice, just to be sure it’s good and strong.
It was 2.5 to 3 times the length of my ironing board. You can cut it to the perfect length at the end.
It will take less time than you might think.
When you’ve gone all the way around, lay the cover onto your ironing board.
Fuss with it a bit to get it on just right. Then pull your cording taught and tie a good tight knot.
I chose not to sew the hole closed.
You can’t really see the hole, and I may want to take the cover off some time to wash it. Also, if the cord starts to slacken, I can tighten it up later on.
Imagine the hours of pleasure you’ll get from ironing clothes from now on. (OK, that’s a stretch, but it won’t hurt, right?)
(When they don’t, tell them to go look at it, and remind them to tell you what a good job you did.)
Now when the laundry room door is left ajar I smile.
If you’re looking for more simple, useful sewing projects, check out these:
- Our Denim Quilt with old jeans
- No Mess, Easy Sew Toothbrush Travel Bag
- Easy, Personalised Pillows (made with Iron-on Jean Patches)
- The Easy Way to Sew a Pillow (a Beginner’s Tutorial)
Robin and Ed are a DIY-loving couple with over 25 years of design and build experience. Also, Robin is a Nutritionist and former Registered Dietitian and Ed is an award-winning Business Educator. We share strategies for living a rich life on a DIY budget: creative money-savvy ideas for a stylish home, healthy meals and family fun. Our work has been published in the pages of Do It Yourself, Farmhouse Style and Better Homes & Gardens magazines.
It looks great! Excellent tutorial, too.:)
Thanks, Laura! It's sweet of you to say so. 🙂
Thanks so much for the ideas and tutorial! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
You're so welcome, Cindy! 🙂
Cute! I need to make one of these…mine is so nasty! I would LOVE for you to link this up at my Ginger Jamboree Link Party!!
Thanks for the invite, Megan. I linked this post up to your very cute blog. 🙂
Robin, I have a flowered fabric that's been draped over my ironing board forever, too. You make it look so easy, I have no excuse not to try this. What kind of cord did you use? It looks pretty thick.
It was crazy easy, Bridget. I used a cord that's intended to make piping for pillows (that's what I had it left over from). I think it's 3/8 or 1/2 inch. I don't think the thickness matters too much, just something that's strong and won't stretch. 🙂
This is a sewing project even I could do and finish. I didn't click through to the original, but I think I'm with you on the cord. Pinning this one for sure.
I was kicking myself that I didn't do this years ago! It was sooo easy. Thanks for the comment, and the pin, Rita!
Oh what a great idea! I really like that there is no elastic. Can't wait to try this myself!
Thanks, Alli! I hope this tutorial helps. 🙂