Sewing Tutorial: Marble Maze Mats

 These are great sensory/fidget toys, especially for people with special needs or who need help with attention spans.

SUPPLIES

Two pieces of fabric, an inch wider and an inch longer than your desired finished size
Two or three marbles
Ruler
FriXion or similar pen (the ink disappears with heat)
Optional: ribbon to sew in a corner to make a loop for attaching to keychain or similar

I like fleece on one side and flannel on the other, but it's up to you what you prefer to work with and what tactile sensitivities your recipient might have. Depending on what types of fabric you choose, you might or might not need to prewash it--fleece doesn't really need prewashing, but flannel does. Test your FriXion pen on the fabric to be sure it will disappear, too. As for size, that's up to your preference and the stability or "stiffness" of the fabric. I wouldn't make one smaller than 4x6 inches (10x15 cm) or larger than about 9x14 inches (23x36 cm). 

I like two marbles, because even numbers are
superior to odd numbers.

DIRECTIONS

Cut the two pieces of fabric one inch longer and one inch (2.54 cm) wider than you want the finished product to be. For example, these two marble maze mats are six inches by ten inches (15x25.5 cm), so I started with pieces of fabric seven inches by eleven inches (17.5x28cm). Right sides together, sew around the perimeter with about a 3/8 inch (0.95 cm) seam allowance, leaving open a spot for turning. If you're adding a ribbon loop so the maze can be attached to something, do this now by folding a loop, putting the loop between the right sides of the fabric with the ends sticking out on the edge, and sewing over the ends.

Probably iron the fabric better than I did, too.

Trim the edges and turn right side out. Before you top stitch, put your marble inside.

Don't forget this; it's super annoying to rip out 
stitches to put the marbles in.

Top stitch around the perimeter with a narrow zig zag, being sure to catch both fabrics especially on the opening you left for turning.

Now for the fun part!

Using your ruler and pen, draw the maze. I use a FriXion pen because disappearing ink pens disappear too quickly, well before I can sew the maze lines. You don't have to use disappearing ink, because you'll be sewing over them. If you don't mind the lines showing through or you know you can wash out the lines (e.g.; if you're using washable markers), then a FriXion pen isn't necessary. I just find them really convenient for marking fabric, so I already have them on hand. The lines do come back in very cold temperatures, but I mean cold: 14F/-10C. Plus, the lines disappear again with a quick trip through the dryer or a swipe of an iron. Your choice of fabric is important here, too: some designs make it very hard to see markings. That's why I like at least one side to be fairly plain!

To draw the maze, use your ruler to keep the lines straight and let your creativity take over. There are only two rules for drawing the maze lines: don't leave a part of the maze cut off from the rest, because the marbles won't be able to get to that spot; and keep the lines about an inch (2.54 cm) apart to let the marbles pass through.

I stuck with right angles, but you could also make lines
at 45 degree angles to others.

Now, sew along the lines. Make sure to back stitch to prevent the thread from unraveling! I like to use sparkly thread, but anything that gives a bit of contrast to the fabric will work. Even if the thread blends in in places, whoever you're making the maze for will be able to feel where the lines are. 

Just don't get distracted and sew past your lines!

Then trim the threads.

Be sure to check both sides for threads.

Do what you need to in order to get rid of the marker lines--wash, iron, etc. And you're done!

They're really fun to make, and the people I've given them to have really appreciated them. Find some nice fabric, decide what size you want, and in just a little while, you'll be done!

Bigger mats allow for more lines, but are "floppier"

Smaller ones are studier and easier to carry around, but 
have room for fewer lines.