I have been really embarassed over my ugly and watermarked ironing board cover. I have wanted a new one for ages, but I have never attempted making an ironing board cover before and that meant I had the usual fear of not knowing how to do it properly hanging over me, preventing me from doing it. I don't know what finally got me going but one day last week I found myself removing the old cover, finding a fabric that was big enough to use to make a new cover. (That was the hardest part. I usually buy only a fat quarter at a time. I had some vintage peices that were suitable though.)
This pretty, decorator weight floral was once a curtain and now it is reincarnated as my new ironing board cover. I am so pleased that I am overcoming my fears of takling new projects.
I am also delighted to have found a good use for this wonderful textile.
A warm sunny day recently I had my first photo shoot of the season outdoors! Again I am upcyclying a thrifted linen curtain in perfect condition and have combined it with a couple of Japanese cotton fabrics. This bag is the perfect size for toting around a knitting or sewing project. I made it the same dimensions as a bag I made for myself and have used near daily for my sock, mitten or hat knitting projects.
The linen is the most beautiful palest of sage and makes me think of spring. It is coming isn't it? Just wondering... because tomorrow they are calling for more snow.
Thanks to Whipup, Vintage Glam Wedding and The Long Thread for featuring my doily garland.
Perhaps you'd like to see. I sent a little un-birthday package to Mervi - I have such a poor memory I was dreadfully afraid I might forget her birthday after she sent me the nicest surprises on mine. So I surprised her back, only it wasn't her bithday.
The bag is fantastic! Love it.
How did you do the iron board cover? Do you need a padding or did you just go over your old one? I need a new one and have mountains of thrift store fabrics and stuff. I should really make a new one for myself.
Posted by: Erin K | March 11, 2009 at 09:49 PM
Hi Erin, I just used the old ironing board padding. I say go for it, make one and you'll be so happy you did!
~Emily
Posted by: Ravenhill | March 11, 2009 at 09:52 PM
I'm glad you went for it -- it looks great. I recovered mine a few years ago and it's ready to be done again. Most curtain fabric I can't imagine using in other projects, but even pretty ugly curtains would look good on an ironing board (and who cares if it gets stained and yucky!). Not that yours is ugly. Just the opposite.
Posted by: Kristin L | March 11, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Wow...so impressive...my ironing board cover has seen better days too...big old scorch mark in the middle...I have often thought about making my own but figured I didn't know where to start...thanks for the inspiration, Emily...you are a sweetheart!
Posted by: cathleen | March 12, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Thats a very stylish ironing board, well done.
Posted by: Heart Felt | March 12, 2009 at 12:35 AM
What a great idea, I really need a new cover for my ironing board.
Love the bag its is such a pretty color.
Posted by: Jewel | March 12, 2009 at 12:47 AM
What a fantastic idea of recycle curtain and into new ironing board cover! I love that bag is sooo sweet and pretty! Really perfect to carry around sewing tools! have a lovely merry happy day and love ot you and yours!
Posted by: Jacqueline | March 12, 2009 at 01:51 AM
hi Emily.. that is awesome idea to recycle and I love the bag too.. sweet and pretty.. wishing you a great day!
Posted by: fitty | March 12, 2009 at 02:23 AM
I always wanted to make my own ironing board cover, but thought it would be too complicated...now I know the secret. Love your linen bag and the sage color too.
Posted by: Toni | March 12, 2009 at 06:32 AM
The bag looks beautiful.
As you said in your blogpost, more snow was to come. And now the snow is actually falling. If you need some spring comfort, visit my blog. The spring sign I've wrote about counts for you too, since we live in almost the same area :-)
Posted by: HildeC | March 12, 2009 at 01:14 PM
i love that bag and your beautiful ironong board cover. beautiful!
Posted by: katie | March 12, 2009 at 06:18 PM
my ironing board defintely need a new cover....so thanks for the tip and idea of how to make a new one... yours is beautiful!
cute project bag....
so cool the way you recycle old curtains in to useful stuff!
Posted by: malle | March 12, 2009 at 06:56 PM
The bag is so beautiful and classy. I can just see you making a matching sunglasses case too. The lining is perfect for it. Well done making an ironing board cover. There is a type of warm and natural that absorbs heat so you can also use it for things like oven gloves. I love how you made beautiful things from re-purposing what you already have.
Posted by: Melanie | March 13, 2009 at 12:35 AM
your tote is beautiful Emily! I really love the linen you have used and the shape is fantastic! Way to go tackling that ironing board cover, I bet it feels good to have that completed!
Posted by: Penny | March 13, 2009 at 03:52 AM
I love the bag, the colour is so beautiful I want to eat it!
Posted by: Samantha | March 13, 2009 at 02:45 PM
Lovely ironing board cover. I just posted yesterday about procrastinating, or avoiding a project because of not being sure how to proceed. It's such a great feeling to take a deep breath and just plunge in. And when a project finally works out, it feels even better. It's fun how this blogging thing helps us see that we are all in this together,eh?
Posted by: Karen at sew and sow life | March 13, 2009 at 03:10 PM