Day 23 - Felt Mazes

I'm definitely on a bit of a felt buzz at the moment! Here's my latest felty creation:

It's a felt maze! As usual with all things crafty someone else had not only thought of this before me but had also created a super tutorial for me to follow! Check out Ladybird Ln if my pics don't make any sense. :)

So first step is to pick some co-ordinating felt and material and search Google images for  maze. Use your maze as a template and cut out your fabric and felt leaving a small seam allowance.

Cut out two little squares of your fabric to mark the start and end of your maze. Mine are about 2 inches. Fold them in half to make triangles and pin to your felt. This will be the front side of your maze.

Add a ribbon and pin it in place. Sew across the long side of the triangles. Leave the outside sides (they'll be sewed in a minute!)

Pin your felt and fabric right sides together and sew around the outside. 

Make sure to leave a gap so you can turn it the right way out.

Turn and press. Love the ribbon tab! :)

Pin your maze in place and sew over the lines. Don't sew the outside lines as you'll need to add your marble! Up to you what colour thread you go for. My maze is a little bit trickier so I used black thread but you could use a co-ordinating colour if your maze was simpler (or your kids like a challenge). I kinda wish I'd used white thread for the fabric side so you could try it either way. Next time! :)

Then the fun part - rip that paper off!

Put your marble (or button in my case!) in and test drive. Make sure it's easy to move through the maze. Then use a zig-zag stitch around the outside to close up the gap and finish off your maze.

The finished product - the back

The finished product - the front. A-maze-ing!

Things I've learnt:
- Make sure the walls of your maze are wide enough to fit your marble or you'll end up having to use a button like me! (the button does work fine but its a bit harder to find and move about)
- Make sure the space you leave for turning the maze the right way out is big enough! I always end up with struggling with a tiny gap!
- Don't leave a giant seam allowance or you'll end up losing most of your start and finish triangles like I did. :(

Linked up to The D.I.Y. Dreamer, Creating my Way to Success, Michelle's Tasty Creations, Ladybird Ln, Threading my Way