Rubik's Cube Tissue Box Cover (Felt)
I remember noticing the Rubik's Cube tissue box on the comedy Big Bang Theory and thought that it was such a brilliant idea for a tissue box cover! The comedy is one of my favourite sitcoms.
It took me a few years to finally decide to try and make one!
I decided to make it using felt as I wanted a softer look to the tissue box cover. Felt is also easy to cut, pin, sew and it doesn’t fray. It can be cut in any direction without unravelling the edges.
Using a rotary cutter is highly recommended for cutting the materials in this project.
Materials
18 x 18 cm (7 x 7 inches) Black Felt x 5
15 x 10 cm (6 x 4 inches) Black Foam x 4
0.3 x 10 cm (1/8 x 4 inches) Black Felt Strips x 40
5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches) Red Felt x 8
5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches) Green Felt x 7
5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches) Blue Felt x 7
5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches ) Orange Felt x 8
5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches ) White Felt x 7
5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches) Yellow Felt x 7
*The number of coloured felts can be your own preference as long as the total is 44 pieces. The amount stated for each coloured felt is an example.
How to Make the Tissue Box Cover
Arrange the 9 coloured felts randomly on each black felt. Pin carefully leaving the centre piece empty on one of the black felts for the top part of the tissue box. As shown in the photos below.
Use a joining stitch to machine sew around and between the pieces together to the black felt.
Once done place each felt strip between the coloured felts and machine sew. Continue to machine sew the black strips on the edges of the coloured felts as well. Ensure that all the coloured felt pieces are outlined with the black strips like the appearance of the Rubik's cube.
Once completed you should have 5 pieces of felts as shown below.
I propped the pieces up like a cube and it felt quite sturdy but I thought that felt being a type of material it may lose shape over time. Hence, my decision to add the black foam to give each “standing “ felt piece the extra support.
Please note that the felt which is meant for the top of the tissue box cover should be put aside at this time. It is the one with empty i.e. no coloured felt, in the centre.
Each foam was cut smaller than the size of the black felt pieces as its purpose was to give the tissue box cover more structure. It needed to be away from the edges where the pieces will be attached together to form the 90 degrees angle for the box appearance.
Place the black foam to the centre of the back of one of the 4 felts with the width placed as close as possible to the bottom part of the felt. You can decide whichever side you prefer as the bottom as they are all the same.
Machine sew the foam to the felt. Ensure that the stitches are not visible on the right side, i.e. it should fall on the black felt strips on the right side of the felt.
Pin and join the 4 pieces of felts right sides together on 2 sides. Please note that the selected bottom part of the felts should all be facing the same direction. Machine sew the sides together.
Position the top felt right side facing down. Pin as shown below. Machine sew.
Trim the corners. The little wedge of felt removed from the seam allowance means less bulk for a sharper pointed finish.
Turn the tissue cover inside out pushing the corners with the blunt of your scissors.
Cut out the centre part of the top felt to the shape of one small square shaped felt as shown.
Place a tissue box under the tissue box cover and pull one tissue through the cut square in the centre.
The felt Rubik's Cube Tissue Box is complete!
I was quite pleased when it was finished and found a perfect place for it in my son’s room. He was very happy! Looks like I have to start thinking of something to make for my daughter’s room too!
