The Dreaded Sewing Chore

Friends, have you ever needed to get something done, that you just put off and put off until you really couldn't put it off any longer -- and then you still put it off?

If so, let me tell you about my ironing board cover. 

Some background:  I didn't even own an ironing board until I started sewing two years ago, and then I just picked up a standard, middle-of-the-road ironing board at my nearest Bed, Bath & Beyond.  This served me well for about a year, when I needed to replace the by-now-stained-and-puckering ironing board cover with one of those cheap (though not the cheapest) replacement covers -- basically a layer of foam covered with some smooth-surfaced synthetic.

Even new it wasn't thick, but now, after nearly a year's use, it's so thin that when I iron, the criss-cross pattern of the ironing board itself comes right through the fabric.  Not good.

I can't wait any longer, readers.  I must replace my ironing board cover!  (And maybe the board too...)







I never would have considered making my own ironing board cover if I hadn't stumbled upon Sunni's tutorial over at A Fashionable Stitch a while back.  It looked like a lot of work, but within my skill set.  That was many, many months ago and I haven't done anything about it.

There are also some threads about making your own ironing board cover over at Pattern Review (in the "Patterns and Notions" part of the message boards).  A number of people there recommend using old wool blankets instead of cotton batting to pad the cover.

Needless to say, the ironing board covers for sale at stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond are pathetic and, for what you get, expensive.  (For better or for worse, I'm stuck using a collapsible ironing board; I don't have the space for anything larger right now.)

Anyway, I was at the flea market yesterday and I found an old plaid wool blanket for just $5, and I thought, this would be perfect to use as an ironing board cover.  The same person selling the blanket was also selling a lot of vintage cotton tablecloths made from that smooth, heavy vintage cotton they used back then.  And since they were scorched here and there they were cheap.  Couldn't I use one or two of those to cover the wool blanket?  I might pick up a few today.



Friends, what do you think? Would that be enough to make a serviceable ironing board cover?  How thick does it really need to be? 

I know it's none of my business, but what is your dreaded sewing chore?  Curtains for the family room?  Diapers for your newborn?

I've managed to avoid most unpleasant sewing in my life but I fear I can put it off no longer: I must address this ironing board cover situation post-haste.

Thoughts, recommendations, commiserations?

Have a great day, everybody!