Kitsch Toilet Roll Cover – Free Sewing Pattern

It's kitschy, it's old, and it's got that vintage feel to it!

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What you need

Quilted fabric
bias binding
piping cord
lace

Instructions

Kitsch Toilet Roll Cover – Free Sewing Pattern

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a fabric toilet roll cover. It is a little bit kitsch, a little bit vintage, and very much the sort of project that makes people say, “Oh my goodness, my Nan had one of those!” This simple sewing pattern is a fun way to use pretty cotton fabric, lace trims, bias binding, piping, and those little leftover sewing bits we all seem to collect.

This toilet roll cover is designed to sit neatly over a standard toilet roll and can be made in floral fabric for a sweet vintage look, or in bold novelty fabric if you want something a little cheekier. It is also a great scrap-busting sewing project if you have small cuts of fabric left over from quilting or dressmaking.

A 1 cm seam allowance has been included in the measurements.

Supplies

You will need:

• Cotton fabric or lightweight furnishing fabric
• Piping or corded trim
• Cord tape or decorative trim
• Lace trim
• Bias binding
• Matching sewing thread
• Sewing machine
• Pins or sewing clips
• Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Iron
• Hand sewing needle, optional
• Small piece of bias tape or ribbon for the bow

If you are making several of these as gifts, this is a lovely project for using fat quarters, floral cottons, or vintage-style fabric scraps. Amazon and Etsy are handy places to look for lace trim, bias binding, and small sewing notions if your stash is somehow missing the exact pink trim you were absolutely sure you owned.

Cutting Instructions

Cut the following pieces from your fabric:

• Side piece: 42 cm x 13 cm
• Top circle: 14 cm diameter

The side piece forms the cylinder that wraps around the toilet roll, and the circle becomes the top of the cover.

Before cutting, press your fabric well. It is much easier to cut accurate pieces from smooth fabric, especially when working with a circle. If your fabric has a directional print, make sure the design will sit the right way up once the side piece is joined.

Step 1: Sew The Side Seam

Take the rectangular side piece and fold it in half with the right sides together, matching the two short ends.

Pin or clip the short edges together, making sure the top and bottom edges line up neatly. Sew the short ends together using a 1 cm seam allowance.

You should now have a fabric tube.

Press the seam open or to one side. Pressing may feel like the boring bit, but it really does make the finished cover sit more neatly. This is especially true with small projects like this, where every seam shows.

Step 2: Prepare The Top Circle

Take the 14 cm fabric circle and place it right side up.

You will be attaching this circle to one end of the fabric tube. This is also where the piping and cord tape are added, so take a moment to arrange your trims before sewing.

If your piping is quite stiff, gently shape it around the edge of the circle with your fingers first. This helps it sit more smoothly when pinned.

Step 3: Pin The Top To The Side Piece

With right sides together, pin the top circle to one end of the fabric tube.

Place the piping and cord tape between the circle and the side piece as you pin. The decorative edge of the piping should face inward between the layers, with the raw edges lined up with the raw fabric edges.

Work slowly around the circle, pinning a little at a time. Curved seams always behave better when they are pinned generously, so do not be shy with the pins. If you are using sewing clips, this is a perfect place for them.

Make sure the side seam of the tube is placed at the back of the cover, or wherever you prefer it to be less visible.

Step 4: Sew Around The Top

Sew around the pinned edge using a 1 cm seam allowance, carefully joining the top circle, side piece, piping, and cord tape together.

Go slowly and keep adjusting the fabric as you sew. You want to avoid little puckers around the top edge. If your machine has a zipper foot, it can help you sew close to the piping for a cleaner finish.

Once stitched, check the seam from the right side. If the piping looks uneven in any spot, you can go back and restitch that area.

Turn the cover right side out and gently shape the top with your fingers. The piping should now sit neatly around the top edge.

Step 5: Add The Lace Trim

Take the lace trim and sew it around the opposite open end of the side piece.

This will become the pretty lower edge of the toilet roll cover.

Place the lace so it sits neatly against the bottom edge, with the decorative part hanging down. Pin it in place all the way around, slightly overlapping the ends of the lace at the back.

Sew the lace in place using a straight stitch.

If your lace is delicate, use a smaller stitch length and take your time. Vintage-style lace looks lovely, but it can shift around if rushed.

Step 6: Finish The Lower Edge With Bias Binding

Press the seam allowance up toward the wrong side of the cover.

Now place a strip of bias binding over the seam allowance on the right side of the cover. This hides the raw edge and gives the lower section a neat, decorative finish.

Pin or clip the bias binding in place, then stitch it down carefully.

Try to keep your stitching even, as this part will be visible on the finished cover. Matching thread will blend in, while contrast thread can add a little decorative detail if you enjoy that handmade look.

Step 7: Decorate The Top With A Bow

To finish the cover, make a small bow from bias tape or ribbon.

Place the bow on the top centre of the cover and stitch it securely in place by hand or machine. If this cover is purely decorative, you could use a tiny dab of fabric glue, but stitching is always more durable.

For a very kitsch vintage look, use pink bias tape, floral fabric, and cream lace. For a more modern version, try gingham, polka dots, novelty fabric, or even retro barkcloth-style prints.

Sewing Tips

When sewing the circular top to the side piece, use plenty of pins and sew slowly. Circles can be a bit bossy, and they like to shift when you are not paying attention.

If your fabric is very lightweight, you may want to add a light fusible interfacing to the side piece and top circle before sewing. This will help the cover hold its shape better.

For a washable version, choose cotton fabric, cotton lace, and washable trims. Avoid trims that may fray badly or lose shape when washed.

If your cover feels a little loose, you can slightly increase the seam allowance on the side seam next time. If it feels too snug, reduce the seam allowance slightly or add a little extra width to the side piece.

Finished Project

Your finished toilet roll cover should slide over a standard toilet roll and sit with the lace trim at the bottom and the bow on top.

This is a fun little vintage sewing project for powder rooms, guest bathrooms, retro caravans, handmade gifts, or anyone who enjoys a bit of old-fashioned crafty charm. It is practical, decorative, and just kitschy enough to make people smile.

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