Replies

1. 
   Diane | Jun 15, 1999 11:05pm | #1

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   I have one of these mats that my son gave to me but I've never seen instructions. There's not much to it--just a large rectangle of felt, a fat cardboard tube and elastic straps. You construct the puzzle on the felt, then roll it up around the tube when you want to put it away and hold it with the straps. If you want measurements or any more detail, let me know.

1. 
   carrie | Jun 16, 1999 05:44pm | #2

   *Diane, I would love to have some measurements. I have seen these to purchase before, but never thought about making it myself. For the cardboard tube, I sew home dec for interior designers, and have tons of tubes from fabric. I bet those would work really well. Thanks for any information you can give me.

1. 
   Diane | Jun 16, 1999 10:51pm | #3

   *The size of the felt mat depends on the size of the puzzles you do. Mine is actually larger than I have ever needed--36" by 74" overall. Figure out the largest puzzle you will do and make the mat at least 8" wider and about 25" longer than the puzzle. You will also need a sturdy cardboard tube as long as the felt is wide and about 4 1/4" in diameter and three elastic straps. The ones that come with mine have a metal bikini top-type hook on one end with the other end stitched to form a casing for the hook to slip through, but big elastic bands would even work. My mat has a white rectangle painted on it to show you where to place the puzzle. You need to leave free about 4" top and bottom and 10" on one side and 15" on the other. When you want to store the puzzle you lay the tube along the edge with the 15" free area and roll up the whole thing, then fasten with the straps. When you're not using the mat, just roll it up inside the tube.I hope this is clear, please let me know if it is not.

1. 
   brenda | Jun 17, 1999 11:41am | #4

   *For tubes - check out Office Max or Staples - they sell nice tubes with caps that slide off easily - for drafting papers and mailing. The caps have metal ends to keep them from getting squished.