I have a friend who is living in some tight quarters. And her bathroom, as she explained, is kind of like a “closet”. While we no longer have the same issues (thank goodness for a few cupboards)……..I totally feel her pain. We have lived in MANY apartments with the same problem. All there’s room for is one little toilet…….and luckily, a sink. There have been many times we’ve had no storage space for toilet paper, towels, cleansers, nothing. And yes, I know, it’s so FRUSTRATING! So, this friend of mine saw one of these toilet paper holders and asked if I could duplicate it for her. Well, why not? Let’s fix that little problem!
We created another color for her and then I realized I should have taken pictures all along the way……..because I’m sure there are others out there (maybe you??) who have the same toilet paper storage issue. So, I made another one and hung it in my own bathroom, to show you how to use this little space saver.
And just think, no more shouting…..”can somebody get me some TOILET PAPER?!?!“…..while caught in the middle of your, ahem, “business”. Yeah, don’t be embarrassed……haha, we’ve all been there! :)
 **Yeah, and ignore and un-caulked baseboards and the un-filled nail holes that we still haven’t finished in this powder room. It’s on the “to-do” list! :)
What’s nice is that you don’t have to worry about the roll being “almost gone” and forgetting to balance another roll on top of the old roll or stacking a few rolls on the back of the toilet. Just make sure the holder is always filled……and you’re always prepared. Especially when company is over. (Ack!)
The holder is attached by a few ties, right to your current dispenser…….and hangs right below the current roll of paper. Simple, simple, and simple!
But wait, because I don’t really need this extra one that I made……is there anyone out there who does?Â
And wants mine??
We have plenty of bathroom storage right now and don’t actually need this one…..and my friend is all taken care of! We don’t use huge overstuffed rolls……so it’s customized to fit our rolls that are about 15 inches around. So, if that is the type you use and you’re caught in the same “no storage” headache……leave me a comment below and I’ll totally send it to you! No need for it to sit on my office shelf. (Heaven knows I have enough other clutter…..uggh!) Oh, and if there are more than one of you who’d really like it, I’ll use random.org and pick somebody in a couple days. Deal?
OR, if you’d like to make your own in the perfect fabric for your bathroom…..and with the specific sizing that you need for your favorite toilet paper brand, here’s how:
The construction of this is simple……let me show you.
Measure the circumference of your standard toilet paper rolls. Everyone’s will probably be a little different and I know every household has their preferred brand……so measure around your typical brand. Then, double that number and add 6 inches. So, if your toilet paper is 15 inches around, double that, add 6 inches to that……..and you have 36 inches. Then measure the width of your roll (while it’s laying on its side) and add 2 inches to that. So if your roll is 4.25 inches wide, add 2 inches to that…..and you have 6.25 inches.
Then cut two pieces of fabric with that measurement…….and in my case 36 x 6.5 inches.Â
If you’re using upholstery type fabric that’s a little thicker…..you won’t need to stiffen it up with interfacing. But if you’ve chosen a lighter weight cotton fabric, iron some interfacing to the “wrong” side of the fabric, to help thicken it up. (Need help with interfacing?)
Then, place your two strips together, with right sides together, and sew all the way around……using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving an opening along one end.
The opening should be about 4 inches or so, to be able to turn the tube right side out.
Then snip off all 4 corners, making sure not to clip through the threads.
Turn the tube right side out (poking out the corners with your scissors, a knitting needle, etc.), and iron flat. Fold the edges of the opening towards the inside, a 1/2 inch. Iron flat.
Top stitch around the very edge of your rectangle shape, finishing it off nicely.
Cut 2 long strips of fabric that are 26 x 1 inch. Fold in half lengthwise and iron flat.
Open up and fold the raw edges in toward the inside, lining up the edges with the fold. Iron flat. (Just like creating a piece of bias tape.)
Sew shut, nice and close to the edge. Repeat with the other strip.
Fold your rectangle piece in half and the lift up the top edge just a bit. Fold your two strips in half……place one on the left and one on the right side of the lining side of your rectangle piece (about a 1/2 inch down), with the folded end pointing down. Pin them in place about a 1/4 inch from the right and left edges.
Fold the other half of the rectangle piece back down, lining up the edges. Sew the top edges shut with 2 parallel seams, about a 1/4 inch apart.
Then, sew another seam in the exact middle of the remaining portion of the holder, dividing the space for your toilet paper rolls.
Again, create 2 parallel lines, a 1/4 inch apart.
Place knots at the ends of each of the 4 ties.
And that’s it!!
Hope that helps your bathroom storage problems!
-Ashley
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