In the process of designing the Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover for Margarita. My partner, Victor Pleshev, an architect, had a long list of criteria the cover had to fulfil.
After all, this was going to be a surprise gift for his mother.
And would be examined to the ‘nth’ degree by Victor’s father. Who. At the time. Was the leading coal mining engineer in Australia for coal preparation plants.
His eagle eye for detail was renowned. And is why he was at the apex of his industry.
Not only did the Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover have to have the best anchor in the world to keep it snug and tight on Margarita’s board.
But.
What happens when she wants to fold her board up? To put it away.
Then take it out of its cupboard. And open it up?
There is no greater deterrent to a good idea than not thinking of all the steps Margarita will go through when using her surprise birthday gift.
As you and I know. Once something goes into the too hard basket. It stays there. Never to be used again.
So this anchor has to be flexible in many ways.
Including being able to expand. When Margarita folds her board up.
And contract. When the legs are open. And her board is standing upright.
Attaching. And detaching. The tension cord every time the board is folded up. And then opened up again. Is not the way to gain devotees!
Fiddley. And unnecessary.
Even though the tension cord only takes a few seconds to attach. And detach. By criss crossing it over 4 hooks.
No. That’s not the way it should work.
Once the tension cord is attached by criss crossing it over 4 hooks. It stays attached. No matter how many times Margarita folds her board up and down.
Because.
The tension cord is firm shot cord. Which means it will expand to make space for the bulk of the legs when Margarita’s board is folded up.
And then contract to keep the cover snug and tight when the board is in its upright position.
The tick of approval came when Victor’s father rang to say how amazed. And proud he was. Of his son’s innovative breakthrough in design.
Two weeks after Margarita’s gift arrived, we received orders from 20 of her friends.
This is how an accidental business is born.
We made those 20 covers. But before we would launch the Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover formally into the marketplace, we asked 6 of our rural neighbours, with different size boards, to test drive it for us.
There are so many boxes to check when designing a product. That it’s only when using it that you get to perfect it.
It got the tick of approval from all of our neighbours.
And has been made the same way since 1994. 23 years.
How is your ironing board cover anchored underneath your board?
Your thoughts? Email me at the bottom of this post.
~Carol Jones, Ironing Diva❤
PS. This Ironing Diva’s iron. Ironing Board. And Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover. Are my gateway to leading an elegant life. There is power in the iron. The ‘Joy Of Ironing’ is far from a myth. Beautifully pressed garments. Make a statement about who you are. When you’re well pressed. And well dressed. You ooze elegance. Beautifully pressed linen. Cloth napkins. Tea towels. Pillow cases. Make your home shimmer with style.
PPS. I am not only an Ironing Diva. But as one friend says, I am ‘The Queen’ when it comes to ironing. I LOVE the way an iron transforms a wrinkled fabric into something elegant.
I Am The Purveyor Of The Tantrum Free Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover And Other Goodies
Made with love and care in RURAL Australia by men and women who have a disability.
It’s not for everyone.
But it’s definitely for you if you’re fussy about the cover you iron on.
And if you love to support Australian made.
And want to put something back into the community when you make a purchase.
The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover cover has more than 400,000 customers in 30 countries. Because it lives up to its name. It ‘Fitz Like A Glove™’ every time you iron.
And these are the ‘Other Goodies’
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Have a question? Email me at the bottom of this post.
Or phone me, Carol Jones, in rural Australia on 02 63 588 511.
Photos of my rural property are courtesy of me, Ironing Diva – who is also known as Paddock Paparazzi – and taken at sunrise every morning. I LOVE sharing my rural life with you. It’s blissful where I live. It’s not for everyone. But my lifestyle is the envy of many of my friends. And customers.
Red Rumped Grass Parrots. Cavorting In A Eucalyptus Stringybark. In The Paddocks.
An Australian Raven. Soaring In My BIG Sky.
PS. And I have a monthly newsletter ‘Tips. And Tricks. That Make Life Easier’. You can subscribe to it below. It’s FREE! This is not a lifetime commitment. You can Unsubscribe at any time.