How to Sew an Easy Ironing Board Cover (Free Pattern)

Is your old ironing board cover scorched and dirty? With our easy tutorial, you can make a new DIY ironing board cover in about one hour!

This tutorial will demonstrate how to make a new ironing board cover for a traditional ironing board of any size or shape.

This quick and easy project will fit any standard ironing board. No printed pattern is needed because your old ironing board cover is used as a template. It features a cord casing and cording that can be adjusted for a perfect fit.

Do you have a big board ironing board that needs a new cover? We also have a tutorial on making a new ironing board cover for these rectangular-shaped ironing boards!

Click the link below to watch our video tutorial on making a new cover for your ironing board. Alternatively, keep reading this blog post for a photo tutorial and instructions.

What type of fabric is best for ironing boards?

Use 100% cotton fabric for your new ironing board cover.  Cotton duck canvas is also a good choice as it’s heavier cotton.  Cotton won't scorch, melt, or burn as easily as other fabrics.

Have fun browsing in the fabric store! There are many choices, from whimsical to practical, and you can show your personality with the fabric selection. You can also choose a fabric that matches your sewing room or laundry room decor.

It's a good idea to pre-wash and dry the fabric as you will once the cover is made.  This will pre-shrink the fabric and remove any extra finishing that was applied to the fabric.

What you will need to make a replacement ironing board cover

• 2 yards of heavier 100% cotton fabric such as duck canvas or outdoor fabric. 100% Cotton quilting fabric can also be used.
• 2 packages of Double Fold Bias Binding tape
• 1/4" Cording
• Old Bath Towel, other large towel, or cotton batting for padding (optional)
• Pencil or marking chalk
• Sewing machine, scissors, thread, and other common sewing supplies

Step 1: Remove the old Cover from the ironing board

The old ironing board cover will be used as a template for the new cover. This will ensure that this cover will fit any size of ironing board.

Take the cover off the ironing board and release or cut the cording so the cover is flat.  If the cord is tied, try untying and removing it so the cord can be reused with the new cover.

Some covers have an elastic band around the outside. Snip the elastic in several places so that the cover will lay flat.  My cover also had a pocket at the front end.  If there is a pocket on the cover, cut it off so it will lay flat.

Step 2: Make your pattern template

Lay the fabric for the new cover on the floor or a table, then lay the old cover on top. Smooth it out so the both are flat.

Draw a cutting line around the outside edge of the old cover using a pencil or marking chalk. Mark the cutting line at least 1" larger than your original ironing board cover. If your old cover had a pocket, add a larger seam allowance around the narrow portion. This is to ensure the new cover will wrap around the edge of the ironing board and underneath. Move the old cover aside.

Step 3: Cut Out the New Cover

Cut out the new cover along the marked line.

The photos show the new cover fabric is at least 1" larger than the old one. I added some extra around the point since I cut off the pocket and want to ensure the fabric wraps around underneath the ironing board.

Step 4: Add the Binding Tape

Add binding tape around the edge of the cover to finish the edge and provide a casing for the cording.

Start near the wide end of the long side. Remember that this is where the cording will be tied, so start in a place that won't bother you while ironing.

Wrap the binding around the raw edges of the fabric.  The raw edge should be against the inner folded edge of the binding tape. Pin along the binding edge to hold it in place.

Step 5: Add the Second package of Binding Tape

When the first package of binding tape runs out, overlap the starting end of the next package and continue pinning until you return to the starting point.

When you put the cording through the casing, do so in the same direction you put on the binding tape. This will help when you get to the join spot. By going in the same direction it will work through this area easily.

Step 6: Sew on the Binding

Set your sewing machine with a standard straight stitch and thread matching the binding.

Sew a top stitch seam 1/4" from the inside edge of the binding, ensuring you catch both the top and the bottom of the binding in the seam. Remove the pins as you sew. Stitch slowly around the curved edges.

Step 7: Add the Cording

Put a safety pin on one end of the cording to make threading it through the casing easier. Before adding the safety pin, you may also want to wrap a piece of masking tape around the end of the cording.

Insert the safety pin into the casing you created on the cover. Remember to go in the same direction you put the binding tape on.

To make sure the end of the cording does not accidentally go inside the casing, pin it to your fabric.

Use the pin to work the cord through and around the entire outside of the ironing board cover until you return to the starting point.

Hold the back of the pin with one hand. Then, push the fabric over the pin towards the back. Hold the front of the pin and fabric and pull the fabric across the pin. The cording will slowly feed into the casing with each push and pull. It's a slow process of pushing and pulling, but eventually, you will make it around the entire casing.

Step 8: Padding the Ironing Board (optional)

If the padding on the original cover is removable, you can reuse the same padding and skip this step. 

An old bath towel works well for new padding on an ironing board. The towel must be at least as long as the ironing board. I folded a bath-sized towel in half, covering the whole ironing board.

Cotton batting could also be used for the padding.

If your towel is not large enough, it can be pieced together using a flat seam technique like the Lapped Seam. Keep in mind that you may be able to feel a lump or bump when ironing if the towel is sewn together.  

Lay the towel on the floor and place your ironing board on top. Trace around the board to mark a cutting line. There is no seam allowance this time.

Cut the towel on the line.

Step 9: Put the New Cover On the Ironing Board

Place your ironing board upright and lay the original foam pad or towel padding on it. Place the new cover on top of the board over the padding, with the right side facing up. The cover will wrap around the edge and underneath the board.

Carefully pull the cord tight for a snug fit and tie a bow tie.

Quick Tip: After using the ironing board, I found that the towel padding would shift around a lot. To help hold the towel layers in place, use spray glue to affix the towel to the top of the ironing board and keep the two layers together.

The new ironing board cover is complete! I hope you enjoyed learning how to make your own ironing board cover.

Happy Sewing!

 

Some other mending tutorials you may be interested in are:

• Sew a New Cover for your Big Ironing Board (Rectangular Board)
• How to Hand Sew a Button
• How to make a Fitted Sheet from a Flat Sheet
• How to Rehem Dress Pants