Fidget Mat

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 7" x 7" Fabric Squares (4)
• 13" x 13" Fabric Square
• Fabric Strips, (2)
• 13"x 13" Batting, (2)
• Batting Strips, 1"x 8" (2)
• Zippers, 6" (2)
• Elastic Cord, 5"
• Pom-pom Strand, 7"
• Ribbons, Ric Rac and Applique (in varying sizes and materials)
• Various Beads (for sections 1 & 4)
• Several Buttons (for section 1)
• Large button (for mat closure)
• Erasable Fabric Marker
• Zipper Foot
• Iron & Ironing Board
• Basic Sewing Tools

DIRECTIONS:

To find the downloadable patterns click on the "GET PATTERNS" tab above.

NOTE:
Finished size - 12" x 12"
Use a 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise noted.
Prepare the cut fabric pieces - cut the 4 (7"x 7") fabric squares for the front of the mat, 13" x 13" backing, and 2 (4" x 8") strips.
Prepare the cut batting pieces - (2) 13" x 13" and (2) 1" x 8".
Print out the pattern to reference each section for materials needed. Each section is worked on individually before they are sewn together.

SECTION 1

1. Cut your thinnest ribbon into (3) 6" sections.
2. Loop your animal beads onto each of these sections.
3. On the back of a medium (3/4") width 7" long ribbon, place one of the loops at the middle (3.5") mark and clip/pin. Then clip/pin the remaining two looped animals approx. 1.5" from the middle.
4. Straight stitch across each of these clipped sections, making sure to backstitch.
5. On the 7" fabric square, mark the middle (3.5" from top and bottom) using the fabric marker. Stitch the ribbon (with the looped animals now attached) along the middle mark. Stitch at the top and bottom of the horizontal ribbon.
6. To cover the previous stitches from the loops, find a slightly thinner 7" long ribbon (dot ribbon pictured) to stitch across the middle of the larger ribbon. Stitch the top and bottom.
7. With the same thin ribbon used for the beaded animal loops, cut a 7" piece and string a set of 5 various buttons.
8. Approx. 1 inch above the previously secured ribbon, stitch the unfinished edges of the ribbon to the side edges of the fabric square. (make sure to pull tight).
9. Clip off any extra materials hanging off the edges of the fabric square.

SECTION 2

1. Mark the middle of the fabric square with a horizontal line using your fabric marker (3.5" from top and bottom).
2. Pin the pom-pom strand along the middle mark and straight stitch using the zipper foot to secure into place.
3. Measure approx. 1.5" from the top and bottom of the pom-pom strand to mark where the zippers will sit.
4. Place zippers in the desired location and pin to hold.
5. Straight stitch the tops and bottoms of both zippers. May need to move the zipper toggle as you go or use the zipper foot on the machine.
6. Clip off any extra pom-pom or zipper material off the edges of the fabric square.

SECTION 3

1. Cut out 4" - 6" lengths of various ribbons and ric rac (10 loops were used in the sample).
2. Along a 7" long cutting of 3/4" thick grosgrain ribbon, line up the various loops of ribbon/ric rac along the back and hold with clips/pins.
3. Straight stitch along the back of the grosgrain ribbon to secure the loops into place.
4. On your 7" fabric square, mark 4" from the bottom of the square with your fabric marker. Line up the grosgrain ribbon (with already secured loops) along this line and stitch into place. Stitch both the top and bottom.
5. Cut a 7" piece of floral applique string.
6. Mark approx. 1" above the previously secured horizontal grosgrain ribbon.
7. Pin the applique at these marks.
8. Straight stitch into place along the edges of the fabric square.
9. Clip off any extra materials hanging off the edges of the fabric square.

SECTION 4

1. Cut (3) 7" long ribbons (approx. 3/8" wide).
2. Cut (3) 7" long thin ribbons.
3. String various colorful beads along each ribbon.
4. From the top to the bottom of the 7" square, draw a vertical line to mark the middle. Place the middle-beaded ribbon along this line and clip or pin the top and bottom.
5. Draw the next 2 vertical lines approx. 1" from the middle.
6. Place the thinner ribbons along these lines and pin or clip at the top and bottom.
7. Draw the next 2 vertical lines approx. 2" from the middle.
8. Place the remaining ribbons along these lines and pin or clip at the top and bottom.
9. Straight stitch along the top and bottom edges of the fabric square to secure the ribbons into place.
10. Cut off any excess ribbon hanging off the square's edge.

HANDLES

1. To create the handles, double fold the long edges of strips (4" x 8") into the middle to create a 1" thick strip with the unfinished edges folded inside and hidden. Press.
2. Open and re-fold the 1" strip of batting into the handle. Re-press.
3. Top stitch both long edges of the handle to hold everything together.
4. To make the handle shape, fold the strips to create a 90 degree angle approx. 2.5" inches in from both short edges. Stitch down and press again. Set aside.

MAT CONSTRUCTION

1. Lay all four 7" fabric squares onto your workspace in the correct placement.
2. With the right sides together, line up the unfinished edges to create the middle seam and stitch section 1 to section 2. Press.
3. With the right sides together, line up the unfinished edges to create the middle seam and stitch section 3 to section 4. Press.
4. With the right sides together, line up the bottom edge of section 1/2 and top edge of section 3/4 and pin. Stitch together. Press.
5. Line up mat front with the batting (13" x 13") square underneath and baste together around the edge.
6. Line up the back fabric square with the second piece of batting underneath and baste together.
7. On the front of the mat, line up the handles along each side (mark the middle of the 13" edge and the middle of the handle to make sure placement is correct). Line up unfinished sides of the mat with the unfinished edges of the handle. Pin/clip and then baste down. Repeat on the other side.
8. Cut a 5" piece of thin elastic cord, fold in half to make a loop and pin at the middle mark of the right side of the mat (between the handle). Unfinished edges of the mat lining up with unfinished edges of the elastic loop. Stitch into place.
9. Place right sides together of the mat front and back and use pins/clips to hold in place.
10. Stitch around the perimeter of the mat using a 3/8" seam allowance. Leave a 5" opening at the bottom of the square to turn.
11. Clip off seam allowance at the corners to eliminate bulk.
12. Turn the mat right side out. Press the edges and make sure to press the opening seam allowance to the inside.
13. Top stitch along the outer edges.
14. Hand stitch the large button to the back of the mat. Use your elastic loop and fold the mat in-half to help determine exact button placement.

JOANN HACKS:

• If you are wanting a little more stability in the mat, you can switch out the 2nd piece of batting for interfacing. This will give it a little more structure, especially if you want to experiment with adding more beads and trinkets (that may be heavier).
• Use a fabric marker as much as you can to make sure your horizontal and vertical ribbon lines are accurate.
• Make sure to square off and even out your squares as you sew them together to make the mat front. This will help to keep the seam lines straight.
• You can use a hot glue gun to secure certain horizontal ribbons or pom-poms into place instead of stitching if that is easier.