The vintage baby clothes are ironed and lovely. As soon as I started ironing I realized my huge iron and ironing board wouldn't work on those little things, so I used my travel/craft iron and my Ikea tabletop ironing board. And oh so typically of me, I decided to make a new cover for the ironing board since the one it came with was not... cute enough... as seen in its usual ho hum state by my sewing machine:
So I chose some cute Moda fabric and laid that right side down on the table, with a layer of quilter's flannel on top of that. I put the board upside down on those, then freehand sketched on the flannel about three and a half inches out from the edge of the board, and then cut through both layers. I folded the edge in a scant half-inch and pinned, and then stitched that. Here it is before stitching:
I'm sorry I didn't take a picture of the next step - I folded the edge in again, but fitted the string in as I pinned so I wouldn't have to thread it through after I'd sewn the casing up. I hope that makes sense. I left two long tails of string at the end near the hanger thingie, and sewed the casing, leaving an opening where the tails were. Then I plopped on the board, cinched the top snug around the board and tied up the tails. Tada!
Now for why I'm an idiot. While touching up a little dress for a photo shoot, it looked so cute, I decided to take a quick photo...
But... while looking through the viewfinder I didn't like the reflection in the iron (you can guess what's coming next) I reached down and grabbed the iron to move it, forgetting it was still on.
Hey, no one can say I don't suffer for my art...
Oh, and now I can show you the bracelet Ro brought me from Singapore. Its the silver cable and pearl combo one. I love it! The other Katy gave me. She got another just like it for herself, and we both wear them constantly. As a reminder.
Pics of the vintage baby clothes and stuff tomorrow. I can't believe we've reached the end of May already!
Cheers,
Jenny
Oh my gosh, that totally sounds like something I would do! That stinks though, burns are always such a pain. Hopefully the cuteness of the new cover will ease the pain!
Posted by: Tiffany Harvey | May 30, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Oh dear....I did that with a pan in the oven not too long ago. Who can forget that the pan will be hot if it's been in the oven? But at least you had the cute cover to make up for it!
Posted by: Marlene | May 30, 2008 at 08:45 PM
I made myself a new board cover a while back and love it! Even the mundane tasks can be done with style!Thanks for the blog a day challenge. It really tested my skills.
Posted by: Bridgette | May 30, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Hey there..we cannot have our May Momma calling herself an idiot.
It just might reflect on us also.
Vbg.
Posted by: Jane | May 30, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Well, the cover is very cute! That sounds really painful. I hate burns! I had a similar duh moment with a hand mixer when I was making a cake last week and put the beaters in after I plugged the silly thing in. Of course it went on and my fingers got caught. No real damage--just a couple bruised fingers and an equally bruised ego. ;)
Posted by: Elizabeth | May 30, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Oh that ironing board cover is cute! Blogging sure makes you do odd things, doesn't it? It's hard to take pictures of everything when you're in the middle of a project. When I grab the camera, my kids say "Oh, she's going to blog something!".
Posted by: Blue Castle | May 30, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Ouch!
The ironing board looks lovely & perfectly allsortsish.
Posted by: Kirsty | May 30, 2008 at 11:58 PM
You are very clever. I love the new ironing board cover. The fabric is very cheerful, so ironing should be much more fun to do now.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Karen | May 31, 2008 at 01:13 AM
Ouch, I have one of those Ikea ironing boards. I might have to jazz mine up a bit
Posted by: Cass Ward | May 31, 2008 at 02:37 AM
Oh,dear! Ouch. I have done that many times myself. Nothing like painfully scorched fingers to remind one to pay better attention.
I love the new cover though. Gee, I guess I will have to go back to Ikea and get a tiny ironing board. That would surely save me from travelling back and forth to the one in my wall when all I need is a quick press. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Karin | May 31, 2008 at 03:37 AM
OH my! This is exactly something that I could have done, hihi. You see, I am a bit clumsy myeslf somethimes...I hope your finger is feeling better! :)
Many thanks for the beautiful pictures and for the tutorial!
Have great summerdays!
Aina
Posted by: Aina | May 31, 2008 at 04:20 AM
ouch. Cute cover. I made one myself last weekend, but used elastic in mine instead because the string is was using would cut itself when I pulled it too tight. Anyway.
What I wanted to ask is if you have a good tip on washing vintage baby linens. Like 100 year old linens and crocheted items... ??
Posted by: miss chris | May 31, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Oh, Jenny B. Harris. Burns are the worst. The ironing board is adorable not though!
Posted by: old school acres | May 31, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Ouch!!! Hope it heals soon! Believe me, I have done worse than that!
Posted by: upstatelisa | May 31, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Oh no! I hope you heal quickly. I've been burned I can't tell you how many times.
Posted by: Mellissa - wondermommy | May 31, 2008 at 08:58 AM
owey!
that's one cute ironing board, I must make mine a new cover. Because it is tragically beige
Posted by: Hanna | May 31, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Do you know how many cuts and burns I have and I always feel a little silly when it happens because it could have been prevented. I have tone of patterns that have tiny drips of blood because while pinning, I would cut my fingers! Worth the pain I still think. Cute ironing board cover, btw!
Posted by: Traci | May 31, 2008 at 01:08 PM
LOVE that cover- and I've got that adorable fabric stashed away in my fabric closet somewhere! I might have to pull that out and do something with it, once and for all! :) I can't believe May is over already either- flew by with lots of blogging!! Thanks for hosting such a fun "blog event"! I had a great time posting (almost!) everyday! :)
Posted by: Holly | May 31, 2008 at 01:58 PM
So many cute things to make, not enough time. You continue to amaze me with your constant stream of creativity! Big hug, Deborah
Posted by: Deborah | May 31, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Jenny, I don't get to comment the way I'd LIKE to, but I DO read your blog every day & enjoy it so much! You are really fun & talented! Sorry you burned yoursef. You are DEFINITELY not an idiot. Trust me - I hold that title! LOL!
Posted by: Kai | May 31, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Ouch! I've done that very thing more times than I care to admit! lol Love the board! Very pretty fabric!
Posted by: Amanda | May 31, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Repeat after me, "I am not an idiot, I am not an idiot... I could be smarter, but I am not an idiot..."
Just kidding - at least the cover is gorgeous:)
Posted by: Allison | May 31, 2008 at 06:08 PM
I just did that last week! I was filling up the iron, but I worried that it would tip over, so I decided to hold it steady.. after a few seconds I remembered that it was on and pulled my hand away, but it was pretty painful for a few days..
Posted by: Sam | May 31, 2008 at 07:25 PM
I like your ironing-board-cover-tutorial! I've had my eye on the table-top ironing board from IKEA for awhile.... Maybe I'll get myself out there and buy one?! And make a cute cover for it ;-)
Posted by: Tine | June 01, 2008 at 06:00 AM
OW!
I hope you keep aloe down in your work shop!
Feel better soon...your ironing board cover is very cute!
Terri
Posted by: Terri | June 01, 2008 at 06:31 AM