Ironing Board Covers

I’ve just rejuvenated the studio by replacing the two ironing board covers.
Each year they need a fresh cover and a new look. Of course we choose Jan Mullen fabric!
Why don’t you recover the classroom or store ironing boards with something fresh and at the same time encourage your students/customers to do the same.
It sells yardage.
I can’t offer a set pattern as board sizes and styles vary but here’s the idea.
Feel free to print it out to give away and perhaps make up a few kits.
For many boards two covers can be cut from bolt width - check before cutting.

IRONING BOARD COVER
60” (1.5m) x 1/2 bolt width of cotton fabric
2yds (2m) elastic
sewing thread to match fabric

to cut out either:
1. Use your old ironing board cover as the pattern and tighten/hold it in the same manner
2. Lay yardage on top of the board allowing it to hang over trimming it 1” past the lower edge

to gather and/ or edge either:
1. Make a casing to enclose the elastic. Using a zigzag stitch will finish the edge at the same time. Thread elastic through the casing using a large safety pin. Tie the ends together once it is on the board.
2. Zigzag the elastic on as you finish the raw edge. Stretch the elastic tight as you stitch. A couple of darts taken at either or both ends, before or after stitching, will make this very snug - I like to do this.
3. Zigzag a ‘casing’ to enclose some string. make sure that the string doesn’t get stitched down! Tighten and tie the ends when the cover is on the board
4. Overlock the edges and hot glue gun well underneath, easily done and easily pulled off later - brilliant!