A Teflon ironing board cover, as the name suggests, is an ironing board cover which is made of Teflon, chemically referred to as PTFE and used in innumerable household applications like serving as a non-stick coating for cooking utensils and as a cover for ironing boards.
The discovery of Teflon could be classified as serendipity as it was accidentally discovered in 1938 while experiments were being conducted to find solutions related to other problems. The use of Teflon as an ironing board cover arises from the fact that it possesses excellent dielectric properties due to which not only is it a good insulator but is also a suitable substitute of polyethene wherever possible.
Since a Teflon ironing board cover is simple to make, it can be stitched at home as well even by a beginner given the availability of all the requisite materials. Some essential requisites which would be required to sew an ironing board cover are fabric, fleece or batting to serve as a pad, thread, elastic, safety pin, sewing machine.
Among these materials, the most important aspect is that of the fabric and in this respect the individual is recommended to select a Teflon coated fabric which would not only be temperature resistant but would be easy to maintain as well. The amount of fabric which is required would depend on the size of the ironing board and considering the standard size in which ironing boards are usually available, one would require at least 13/4 yards of the Teflon coated fabric along with elastic for attachments and fleece for padding.
The process of making a Teflon ironing board cover commences with washing the fabric and ironing it on the other side. In the next step, the ironing board is placed upside down on the fabric and the measurements which are marked should be at least three inches bigger than the exact size of the board. The fabric is then cut along the measurements and the raw edges are sealed with the zigzag stitch.
The next step involves making a casing and stitching it on the opposite side by leaving a one-inch wide opening for inserting the elastic. After ensuring the fitting of the elastic, the Teflon ironing board cover is ready for being tried on the ironing board and making the requisite adjustments.
People are recommended to use a Teflon ironing board cover with padding since the presence of pads not only protects the ironing board from the excess heat but also level the surface of the board to make ironing a convenient task
