How to Design a Toilet Seat Cover

Bare toilet seats are cold and rigid places on which to set a bare bum. Increase the comfort of a toilet seat with a toilet seat cover. Toilet seat covers are of special help to those with health issues, such as hemorrhoids or back and hip pain. Many individuals also like to carry a folded-up toilet seat wherever they go, in case they need to cover the seat of a questionable toilet. When planning to make a toilet seat cover, predetermine the dimensions, material and method of attachment to the toilet seat.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Paper
• Marker
• Material
• Padding (optional)
• Elastic (optional)
• Scissors
• Sewing supplies

Instructions

1. Unscrew the toilet seat from the hinges. Place the toilet seat on a plain piece of paper. Trace the shape of the lid. Remove the paper. Cut out the shape and use the cutout as a template for sizing and cutting the material.

2. Choose a type of material for the toilet seat cover. Make toilet seat covers with soft, washable fabric, such as cotton, corduroy, Lycra, acrylic or microfiber -- or with vinyl, which is easy to wipe clean but needs to be stuffed with padding to create comfort. Choose a color or print that works with the bathroom decor.

3. Determine whether or not padding is to be included inside the cover. If padding is to be included, determine the desired thickness and whether to use cotton batting or foam. Add thin batting for a less bulky cover or thick padding for optimal rear cushioning. The padding thickness has much to do with whether the cover is just to add a bit more comfort or if it to help with a serious issue of discomfort. Portable covers to be folded up and kept in a purse should have little or no padding.

4. Design the cover to either stretch over the toilet seat, like a shower cap over a head, or to have straps that tie to the toilet seat. Thick, foam-padded toilet covers typically need straps; however, covers with thin padding can still be made with elastic edges.

5. Design stuffed seats made from vinyl to have inverted seams so the sewn together edges will not cut into the flesh of the sitter. If only externally-sewn seams are possible, locate them near the bottom of the cover.

6. Add 2 inches of space to the inside and outside edge when cutting material from the template for an elastic toilet seat cover, to ensure enough space for the cover to pull around and under the toilet seat. Add any necessary, additional amount of space to account for padding thickness.

References

• Luxury Housing Trends: 10 Toilet Seat Covers to Perk up Your Bathroom
• Lily Bertine: Fabric Types