Make a great diy marble maze using this tutorial and the free PDF pattern for you! It’s an easy, pocket-size diy marble maze toy for kids. I love it! You’ll sew it in no time, and it’s a great scrap buster. Scroll down to get your free PDF pattern!
You should know that this post includes affiliate links. Thanks for your support!
Diy Marble Maze
Use the free template and sew a few from fabric scraps – you’ll make a kid or two really happy, as this might be just what they need to occupy themselves on a road trip. A great Diy fiddle toy!
By now, you know I love doodling my own designs, so I thought I’d give it a go and create my own marble maze template for everybody to use. The tutorial might go a little unconventional way, but fear not – everything explained and simple! I wanted to make sure the sewing is super easy for you, while still showing you every little step, so nobody gets lost.
A perfect road trip toy. Or a great toy to keep in your purse for when you go to the doctor, or another place where you’d like your child (or grandchild) sit still for some time.
Diy Marble Maze Features:
- Easy to sew and doesn’t take a lot of time to complete.
- It requires little material to sew. A great scrap buster!
- Safety: has a double outer seam, so the marble is prevented from accidentally slipping out, should one of the seams give in.
- Makes an excellent handmade present for your children or grandchildren (think Christmas!)
- The 5.5 by 8 inch size is a fun and convenient pocket size you can roll and easily tuck in a purse.
First, for those of you who like video tutorials, I’ve made a video slide-show to get the feeling of what the sewing process will be like. (Spoiler alert: easy!)
Supplies To Make a Marble Maze
- 6.5 ” x 9″ scrap of fabric for the back
- same size soft fusible polyester interfacing (stabilizer)
- same size fleece for the front (choose a solid, no prints for the front!)
- contrasting thread, pins
- a marble
- optional: two pieces of fabric (1.5″ squares) in a contrasting color to mark the start/end of the marble maze.
MARBLE MAZE PDF SEWING TEMPLATE
To get the Marble Maze PDF sewing template ,sign up for my free newsletter HERE and get access to the file once you confirm your subscription! If you’re already a subscriber, you can access the pattern with the password in each newsletter, in the resource library.
 |
| Sign Up For Free Newsletter to Get Access to FREEBIES Library. |
Don’t have a marble at hand? A round pebble in the same size will do just fine, too. Or a wooden ball! (the SAME size! 🙂
Diy MARBLE MAZE TUTORIAL
1) Using your free PDF template (access it in the Free Resource Library once you’ve signed up to the newsletter HERE), cut rectangles along the Cutting Line (marked: RED SOLID LINE):
- one piece out of your backing fabrics,
- one piece of soft fusible interfacing for the back and
- one piece out of fleece (solid is best).
- optional: cut 2 tiny squares of contrasting fabrics (1.5 inch by 1.5 inch)
Apply interfacing to the back of the backing fabric:
Though helpful in playing the game, these markings are not totally necessary, you can safely skip the tiny squares and the entire step two if you don’t have the time.
3) Put the two main pieces of fabric right sides together. Sew all around the pieces, using a 3/8 seam allowance (on the template, it is marked by a black DASHED line (stitching line). Don’t forget to leave a gap for turning and inserting the marble, just as marked on the PDF template.
9) Now, you’ll sew the internal lines of the maze. To transfer the topstitching SOLID blue line onto the FRONT fabric, simply cut off the frame of the printed PDF template (= the 3/8″ seam allowance area), then place the paper template onto the front fabric, secure with a few pins to let it stay in place. Like this:
10) Now, stitch over paper. You’ll remove it later. As simple as that!
IMPORTANT:
- VISIBILITY: Use a contrasting thread to make it visible. When playing, it’s good to see the lines!
- SAFETY: Secure all stitches well (backstitching) if you’re using the simple straight-line stitch. Or even better, use a triple stitch. It’s safer, too, because there will be even less possibility for the marble to break through (toddlers are well known for persistence, and if there’s a way to get the marble out at a place where the simple stitch has given in, — Well, it’s better to either backstitch or use a strong, reliable stitch.
11) Remove the paper template. An easy task!
12) The only thing left: topstitching around the border. Move the marble to a central position so it won’t be in the way, you can secure it using pins, so it won’t move. See the photo below:
Topstitch around the maze using an approximately 1/4″ seam allowance. You don’t need the paper template for that, though I marked it on the template to give you a feeling how to proceed. Remember to keep the marble out of the way when sewing.
Done!
A great DIY present for kids that’s easy and quick to make.
BONUS TIPS:
- You can use FLEECE on both sides of the marble maze: follow the same steps as with the fabric marble maze. The only difference is, you don’t need any interfacing.
- FELT MARBLE MAZE: even easier to make, you don’t even need to turn the material right side out.
- If you are making your own maze template, always make sure to make the seams wide apart, to enable the marble to move between the layers smoothly. When making the maze stitches, leave enough room for the marble to go through.
Pin For Later:
Want More Free Patterns+Tutorials?
Or, if you feel like it, browse through my other PDF patterns in my shop. You might find a few really cute and easy new PDF patterns for your projects. Or, check out this cute earflap beanie pattern:
robert & madeline Newton says
can't wait to make it …i think this is great for traveling …thank you…from a grandma of many …love all of them the same no matter there age….
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Happy you like the project. Feel free tag me or post a picture, I always love to see what readers make from my patterns! And sewing for own kids and grandkids always feels so good, no matter their age, agree!
Mom2Caleigh says
I love this idea! Thank you. I noticed on some of your patterns (such as Memory Card Game) you have directions for the parents / child. I know this is very simple – but a little tag with instructions for use would even make it better. Any suggestions for when I write my instructions? When having these at a boutique- people will ask about them. Thank you!
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Hi, a this is great question!
Yes, people often ask about how-to-play, and that is why I give a bit of instructions in my tutorials. What about directing people to the tutorial on my site, if they ask about how to play? Just an idea 🙂 I'm happy you liked the how-to.
Anonymous says
Thank you for a wonderful, easy to follow pattern!
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Thank you, I'm glad you liked it!
Kathy G. says
This looks like a great idea. My daughter n law has been putting together "quiet time toys" for her 2 yr old. She is expecting another child n a few months and is going to have a basket of these type of toys for when the new baby is either sleeping or when she is nursing for the 2 yr old to sit and play quietly. Thanks for sharing.
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
You're welcome 🙂
Cucicucicoo: Eco Crafting & Sewing says
This is wonderful! My little boy would love it! And when I went to download it, I saw your wonderful Christmas lights ornaments that I've seen around Pinterest and have wanted to try too! Thanks so much! 🙂 Lisa
Pam @Threading My Way says
Great tutorial, Damjana, and a fun little toy. Well done on addressing the safety issues. I've featured your tutorial today.
Kathy says
Thank you for sharing this pattern. I wonder if this would be a good fidget object for the elderly, or for Alzheimer patients?
Anonymous says
What a great idea!
Barbara says
This is a great gift for a child who has a baby sibling. S/he can leave it laying it around without any concern that the baby will come across the small marble and perhaps put it his mouth. Not that any kids I know leave their toys out!! Thanks for the tutorial and the pattern. I'll be making this up right away.
Carol says
This is very clever for a sensory toy. I will make a few and have a group of autistic children play with them. Thank you!!!!!
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Carol,
a great idea, go for it! I've been meaning to write a post about the benefits of this DIY toys for kids – fine motor, sensory, including the therapeutic viewpoint. A great sensory toy by all means!
Rochelle @ eSheep Designs says
That is so cute… have never seen this type of toy before, never one that's handmade. Off to check out some of your other creations.
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Thank you, Rochelle.