Skip to content

Puzzle mat

I wanted a puzzle mat because I can’t dedicate an entire table to a puzzle over multiple days. I’ve made it fit for what I needed, and made a second one as a commission. Many people found it useful so I thought I'd share how I made it!

The first one I made had some large elastic bands to close it up. It’s not a good idea in my opinion since it can damage the puzzle pieces, so I’ve changed that to 3 ties, as you’ll see in this tutorial.

The dimensions here are for a 1000-piece puzzle. It might need to be larger for bigger ones. Check your puzzle dimensions if needed!

Now, let’s get going!


You will need:
  • A sewing machine (or your hands, a needle, and a lot of patience)
  • Fabric scissors
  • An iron
  • A 70 x 100 cm rectangle of felt (I suggest grey or another mid tone)
  • A 70 x 100 cm rectangle of main fabric (here blue)
  • 3 30 x 20 cm rectangles of contrast fabric (here red)
  • 3 10 x 110 cm rectangles of contrast fabric (here red)
  • Matching sewing thread
  • A pool noodle

Step 1

Cut all of your fabric pieces and iron them. The dimensions don’t include seam allowance. Cut your pool noodle to match the width of your felt rectangle (here 70 cm).


Step 2

Fold the 30 x 20 cm rectangles in half on the long side, right sides together. Sew around the open parts, leaving an opening. Turn them inside out, iron them, then top stitch around the whole piece to close the gap.

Repeat the same process for the 10 x 110 rectangles. I suggest using a bobby pin on the end to turn around, otherwise it’s quite the hassle.


Step 3

Wrap the 30 x 20 cm rectangles around the pool noodles and mark where the two parts join. Place your main fabric and felt piece on top of each other, right sides together.

Fold the 30 x 20 cm rectangles in half, do the same for the ties, and place them like the picture below, between the felt and main fabric.


Step 4

Pin the rest of the felt and main fabric together, then sew all around, leaving an opening. Turn it right side out, poke the corners, then top-stitch all around to close the gap and giving it a neat finish.


Place the loops on the pool noodle, and enjoy your new puzzle mat!