Here’s an assortment of different laundry bags/hampers and ironing board covers you can make (all free tutorials). I also added a tip at the bottom of the page for cleaning a clogged iron. I’ll be adding more goodies to this collection as I find them, enjoy!

emmyloubeedoo.blogspot.com

Hoop-Style ^[1]: Another vintage pillowcase idea, this one has an embroidery hoop attached at top to keep it open.

Fine Washables Pouch ^[2]: Made with two coordinating fabrics, this pouch has a strap.

sew4home.com

curbly.com

Ring Handles ^[3]: A quick and easy project made with a yard of fabric and 2 plastic purse handles.

Drawstring ^[4]: Made with an old pillowcase and a fat quarter of coordinating fabric.

incolororder.blogspot.com

sew4home.com

For The Dorm ^[5]: Made with medium-weight cotton duck and features an outer zipped pocket to hold money.

Basket Liner ^[6]: A fabric liner that has pockets for stashing socks and other small items.

heartspunimagery.typepad.com

marthastewart.com

Bandannas ^[7]: Four bandannas are stitched together (or more for a larger size), ties closed with a cord (drawstring closure).

Personalized ^[8]: This shows how to personalize it by using a DIY stencil or fusing fabric letters.

marthastewart.com

freckledlaundry.com

Ruched Ruffle Strip ^[9]: Uses good quality cotton fabric. The ruched ruffle tutorial is on this page ^[10].

Framed & On Wheels ^[11]: This clever diy project is made with two framed window screens, wood, screws, wood glue and four casters.

countryhome.com

Vintage (1944):

Materials:

3/4 yard Printed Cotton

J. & P. Coats Percale Bias Trim, single fold

Coat Hanger

J. & P. Coats or Clark’s O.N.T. Mercerized Sewing Thread in matching colors, or Best Six Cord in white

Cutting Directions:

1 piece — 18″ x 36″
2 pieces — 7″ x 17 1/2″

(1/2″ allowed for seams)

1. Place 7″ x 17 1/2″ pieces (top section) wrong sides together.
2. To shape top edge, place a hanger along edge, draw around outside curve and cut along outline.
3. Cut one piece in half up the center and hem cut edges 1/4″ and press.
4. Baste the 2 small pieces against the one whole piece, right sides together, and stitch across the top and down the sides, turn to right side and press.
5. To make bag section, stitch selvage edges of 18″ x 36″ piece together (right sides together) to within 6″ from top edge and press.
6. With selvage seam at center front, stitch across bottom edge, turn to right side and press.
7. Gather top edge of bag section.
8. Baste and stitch top section to bag section, raw edge to raw edge (right sides together).
9. Baste and stitch both edges of bias trim across front 3″ from top edge and repeat this over seam line, allowing 10″ to extend at each side of center opening for ties.
10. To finish ties, top stitch 10″ of bias to wrong side of each tie. Insert hanger.

Source: J. & P. Coats Gift Bazaar Sewing Suggestions (1944)

33stitches.blogspot.ca

Patchwork ^[12]: Use a basic pattern or the current cover to make a base, this will add some durability to the piece.

How To ^[13]: All you need is your tired old cover to remove the casing from and sew to the new one. How slick is that!

u-handbag.typepad.com

purlbee.com

Recovered ^[14]: Shares two different methods for making this.

Tutorial ^[15]: Sew a pretty cover by making a template from the ironing board.

jonag.typepad.com

sew4home.com

Jazzy ^[16]: Made with two coordinating fabrics and cording or ribbon (to gather bottom edge).

Portable ^[17]: Made with a piece of plywood, batting scraps (for 2 layers), quilting cotton and a staple gun.

acraftyfox.net

Is your steam iron acting a little sputtery and doing an inconsistent job? It’s probably just clogged with mineral and lime deposits, all it takes is a simple cleaning job to get it back to like-new shape.

Here’s how to fix it (plus a few more tips & goodies):

• Fill the water tank half way with household vinegar. Top up with water.
• Turn to the hottest setting and allow the vinegar/water mix to heat. Let it sit for a couple minutes to get things good and hot.
• Take a clean towel and press it with high heat–steam on, steaming as you press. The hot vinegar will work through the mineral buildup. Press until all the water in the reservoir is gone.
• Fill the tank with water and allow to heat again, this time press the towel to test the cleaning job. If things are good as new, you’re done and dump the water (this will rinse out the vinegar as well). If not, dump the water and repeat the hot vinegar process above.
• If the steam spray nozzle is clogged, wipe it with a hot, wet cloth then carefully poke through the gunk with a thin needle. Make sure the appliance is unplugged before you do this. While you’re pressing with the hot vinegar mix, make sure to press the steam button so you get some hot vinegar flowing through the spray nozzle as well.

Regular Maintenance:

• Each time you’re done pressing, wipe the warm plate with a damp cloth first soaked in water and vinegar (about a 70/30 mix is fine). This will prevent buildup from happening on the plate (from starch, etc.). One trick is to have a spray bottle with a mix of vinegar and water with your supplies. Just spray this heavily on a clean cloth and press it to give the plate a good cleaning.
• If you have hard water, use distilled water. This will help prevent it from getting plugged up so often.
• Before it gets to the crusty point, occasionally fill it with vinegar and water then steam press a clean towel. Will prevent heavy clogging from occurring.

Removing Melted Plastic:

• Simply turn the heat on low until the plastic has softened, yet the metal plate is not too hot to burn you. Unplug and use a soft bristle brush wet in soapy water to scrub the plastic off. If the plastic won’t come off, try gently rubbing in a paste of baking soda and water. You don’t want to scratch the plate, so do this carefully.

Some Nice Treats:

• Homemade Lavender Water ^[18]: Use when pressing, spritz a bit of the lavender water on the items being pressed. Will add a nice lavender scent to the garment.
• Lavender Starch Recipe ^[19]: Fresh pressed linens, nicely starched, and lavender fragrance wafting in the air. Nice!