How to Make a Felt Puzzle Mat

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Things You'll Need

  • Green Felt, 50 by 30 Inches or Size of Choice

  • Cardboard Tube or PVC

  • Straight Pins

  • Sewing Machine

  • Thick Rubber Bands or Laces

Felt Jigsaw Puzzle Mat

It is frustrating to have to pick up a jigsaw puzzle because you need the work surface for another function. A puzzle mat is a great tool to move and store a puzzle in progress. You put the puzzle together on the large surface of the mat, then the felt can be rolled up with the puzzle sandwiched within. A support tube keeps the puzzle mat from collapsing and damaging the puzzle.

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Step 1

Measure and cut the piece of felt to the size you want. A mat that is custom-made for a certain puzzle size should be at least 4 inches larger on all sides than a finished puzzle.

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Step 2

Place an empty cardboard mailing or gift wrap tube on top of the felt. Measure and cut the tube to fit the width of the felt piece. Substitute the cardboard with a piece of PVC tubing if you plan to use the mat frequently. The PVC can be cut to size where you purchase it.

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Step 3

Roll one end of the felt around the tube.

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Step 4

Pin the felt in place around the tube.

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Step 5

Remove the tube from the pinned felt. Sew the felt, removing the pins as you move the felt along on the sewing machine.

Step 6

Feed the tube into the newly sewn pocket in the felt mat. Roll the felt onto the tube and secure it with heavy rubber bands.

Tip

You can make straps to secure the felt jigsaw puzzle mat. The rolled-up mat and puzzle can be placed inside a larger storage tube.

Warning

The mat is made for a standard jigsaw puzzle. Oversize puzzle pieces will be damaged if rolled up in the mat.

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