Ironing board cover
 

Does anyone know of where I could buy a large "old-fashioned" ironing board cover? My ironing board is at least 30 years old and is larger than than the kind made today, therefore I can't used the covers made today (those with the elastic around the edges). I'm looking for the kind that that the string around the edges to pull to size. Neither Target or Walmart has these. Maybe somewhere online?

I looked at Amazon and they carry a fair amount of larger covers and pads. Since I don't know the exact size of your board I could not send you the exact item information. I looked in "oversize ironing boards and pads".

I have made many of these. They are surprisingly easy to draft yourself.

You turn your ironing board upside-down and use a marker to make a pattern onto either a large paper roll or tissue paper you have taped together. You will need to add on to that all the way around for the depth of the pad, the casing size you intend to use and the overhang that has the string or elastic. About 3 1/2 inches might be the number. Depending on our width of your casing you need to accommodate your string or elastic.

First make two button holes in the middle of the large bottom middle. This is for the string to go through and come out of. Make a casing along the whole edge that begins at the middle of the large end of the board and thread the string or elastic though to draw it up. Done! A custom made ironing board cover. I have also seen people make a padded mattress type pad for just the top of the board and use loops to string it to the bottom to hold it on.

The major sewing pattern companies also make a pattern with instructions that are more detailed if you want to make your own.
Also Walmart has an oversized premade cover, but I don't know if that is the size you need.

I found a u tube video for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0tiMnuVT54

As RedGarnet222 stated, it is very easy to make your own covering. I would make an additional suggestion: Get some canvas to make it out of. You won't be able to make a drawstring (fabric too heavy) but you can make tucks that you can sew on your sewing machine to make it fit. I love a canvas cover -- no scorching, basically, and it wears forever. Try it, you might like it.

Oh gosh, I don't think I could make one of these, I just want to buy one. My ironing board is 57" long, a little bit longer than the standard, plus the narrow end is hinged so that it opens up to be as wide as the rest of the board which is very handy. That's why I can't use a standard cover with elastic around the edges; it isn't large enough. It's probably been at least 5 years since I bought one, never thought they wouldn't sell them anymore.

I made my ironing board cover just by using quilt fabric and safety pins and folding it around the edges of the top top. Works fine, and I can change it out as often as I want. :)

Dina

My grandmother added old sheets when the ironing board cover got worn or scorched. That's what I learned to iron on in the '60's. The old white muslin ones hold up better than quilting cotton, and can be cinched in place with large safety pins

I bought a cover for my 46 year old ironing board on Amazon. I really like this cover because it's nice and snug on the board and the reflective fabric hasn't scorched like the previous flowered cover. It only cost $20.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Meadow Mist it’s really not as difficult as you think. The first time I ever made one I felt slightly overwhelmed but then I realized I could do it. I too grew up with a mother that changed the cover up when someone wasn’t paying attention and scorched it using muslin or flat sheets that she safety pinned in place. Hope you find what you’re looking for but if not you can do it!

My Mom has an ironing board like you describe. She hasn't been able to get a cover that worked with the expanding end in 40+ years, but there are ones available that are long enough for a 57" board. If you locate one with the expanding end, please post it!

Here you go!

http://www.miracleironing.com/mm5/me...egory_Code=004


Edit to add: I have ordered from here. I couldn't remember the site but found it.

https://bigboardenterprises.com/bigboard/

Check with Vermont Country Store. I also have an old (mid 70's) ironing board. Nothing in the stores fits, but what they have is perfect. It's also the silver reflective fabric. Exactly what I wanted.

Meadow Mist, I have the big board like in the link Rhonda posted and didn't want to pay that price for a new cover. I buy the canvas fabric in the Home Dec dept from Joann's and make a new cover when I need one. The canvas generally comes 57-60 inches wide so you may not need a lot of yardage. You can use the cover you currently have on it as a "pattern". It is simple to make if you only make it as long and narrow as your board without the hinge factor in the short end. I use the drawstring method and it bunches up a bit underneath, but I don't iron on that area anyway.....lol
On a side note to anyone reading this, have any of you used the drop cloths from Harbor Freight as an ironing board cover? I haven't bought one but the machine embroidery folks seem to like them.

I have been making ironing board covers for years, for myself and aslo for relatives and friends who have large older ironing boards. I quilt my fabric for the cover using pre quilted calico ( pre wash) pin the print fabric to the pre quilted calico ( print side down and the calico on top) and I quilt on the quilted calico side, on every second line making a quilted pattern approx 2 1/2 inches wide. I make a pattern from paper by turning the ironing board upside down. Pin the paper pattern to the quilted fabric and mark 2 3/4 - 3 inches all around. Cut out and add a casing 2 3/4 inches, and long enough to go all around the edge of the pattern. Turn a hem on one end and iron in half. Starting for the centre of the wide end stitch the casing all around, when almost at the end, cut and hem to met up with the starting point. I then overlock the seam and top stitch on the casing edge. Thread 1/4 inch elastic through the casing and thread the ends of the elastic through a toggle and knot off. This allows you to tighten the elastic if needed. I have just finished making 12 covers. I will attach some pics for you. Pictured is ironing board covers fro myself and my daughter. two for laundry and two for sewing room. By having two for each it allows for regular washing. I find I get about 8 - 10 years out of a cover depending on the thickness of the fabric. Curtain materials or sheeting are more durable then reqular quilting fabric.

Sorry the pictures didn't load, I will try again.

I just got one at my Walmart that fits a 58 inch long and 15 wide ironing board. a little tough to get on, but fitted great once I got it tied.

Bonnie, I had to laugh at the video with the cover, she is so carefully ironing and showing off her white t-shirt :)

I'm guessing I have the oldest ironing board, my grandmother bought it when she got married in 1918...from an estate sale, although they didn't call it that then. Who knows how old it was then, but it has wooden dowels rather than nails. I couldn't guess how many times I've recovered it ;)

Bonnie, I had to laugh at the video with the cover, she is so carefully ironing and showing off her white t-shirt :)

I'm guessing I have the oldest ironing board, my grandmother bought it when she got married in 1918...from an estate sale, although they didn't call it that then. Who knows how old it was then, but it has wooden dowels rather than nails. I couldn't guess how many times I've recovered it ;) I inherited it in 1970

RedGarnet-Thank you for the link on the ironing board cover tutorial. I have been looking for a new cover and not able to find a decent well made with good fabric one. I think I will be off to make an ironing board cover soon. I think I will try and get some heavier fabric other than just cotton. Maybe a light canvas would work.

Thank you, Rhonda, that would be the right size, but at $67.00 (wow!) I don't think I can do it. I can't believe it's that expensive and it doesn't even come with a pad.

Thank you for the detailed instructions and pictures. I'm happy for you that you can make these. Want to make one for me? Just joking!! :)

I found a canvas dropcloth works well. It's used for painting - found it at Home Hardware so I'd expect you could look at your local hardware stores. They will come in different weights.

I would gladly make one for you but the problem is, I am in Australia and overseas postage is horriffic. Postage time as well at the present, would take forever to reach you. The covers are not hard to make so I am sure you can soon make one. Good luck, not that you really need it to make these.

Forgot to mention that if you need a new underpad for the board, you can purchase 3 -5 mm felt and cut one to fit your board from that. I purchase mine from a Spotlight store here in Australia but I am sure you would have it available in the US.

Could you use your existing one as a pattern? That's how I make new ones for mine.I,too like the draw string and just finish off the edges with wide bias tape and you have an instant drawstring pockets all the way around.

Meadow Mist, I understand your sticker shock - I have an old Mary Proctor double flip ironing board that I found at the Salvation Army about 6 years ago. I let out a holler and did a little dance when I found it, because I had been looking for one for a while.
It has an odd shape, but I managed to find a cover and pad for it online. I ended up paying over $50.00 for it, and it never did fit properly; it was cut too small and didn't wrap around the edges enough and kept popping off.

Out of frustration I finally threw out the cover, but kept the pad to use as a pattern. I haven't made that one yet, but I made a cover for my regular ironing board and I love the way it fits. I know you would rather not make one, but I'm going to join the chorus of voices saying, "You can do this! It's really easy!"

And think about the money you'll save! 😁

After reading your post I decided to flip my ironing board over and see if there is a maker that would help in my search. Sure enough, it's also a Mary Proctor (I never heard of Mary Proctor before reading your post)! And it's a double flip which I never even knew, I thought just the end flipped up and down but I see the side does also. I bought it flipped up and it has stayed that way for 35 years! And the tag is still on it, $6.00 at a flea market.
I found a couple places that sell the cover for this board.
https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-C.../dp/B009QIGQZU

https://www.shopatclares.com/home-ch...proctor-silex/

Jennifer - check this out
https://www.shopatclares.com/ironing/

Aah...I suspected that that's what you have. I love mine because the legs have that curve to them so you can sit to use it without banging your knees. I set it up next to my sewing table and put one of my "big boards" on it, and I can press as I sew. I use it more for a work surface than just an ironing board.

Yep, that's the cover I bought too. Remember I said it didn't fit well? My advice...buy the pad, use it for a pattern and make a cover.

The link that Rhonda K posted also has the covers for Mary Proctor boards.

I sometimes buy a new one. Sometimes, though, I just lay the old one right side down on some new fabric and sew around it :)

Thanks everyone for the great links! I'm going to have to inspect Mom's ironing board next time I visit to see if it is in fact a Mary Procter. I've never actually seen it with the wings extended, as she hasn't had a cover that fit that way in my lifetime. After looking at some pictures, it seems likely - it has the curved legs and little wheels that the Mary Procter boards had.

Try Amazon. I have the double flip.
https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-C...1371280&sr=8-1

But for that price I made my own. Not that hard.

Your so welcome Jordan. I hope you find what you want for the fabric to make yours.

Ironing board cover
 

I took my old one off and used it as a pattern. I used material with Lines on it so I could make sure I kept everything straight. Works great.