This fabric memory game is so much fun! Grab the easy sewing tutorial an the free memory game template and make a set.
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Fabric Memory Game
Board games are such a hit! Today, I’m helping oyu make your own set. It’s the one I made out of tiny fabric scraps in one of my previous posts. It is close to zero-cost, but it will make an amazingly cute and fun DIY birthday present for a kid or adult, depending on the fabric you choose.
Are you a beginner? Perfect, this is a great project for you! And there’s even a free PDF template, if you don’t feel like measuring the pieces!
Supplies:
1) fabric scraps (scroll down to see a time-saving tip for fabric selection):
– backing (16 pieces of 4″x 4″)
– white background on the front side (16 pieces of 4″x 4″)
– fun prints (8 sets of 2 identical fun prints: each piece is 2.5″x 2.5″)
2) thread
3) the usual: sewing machine, scissors, possibly a rotary cutter with a cutting mat
4) the free template, especially if you haven’t got the rotary cutter and mat:
The Template is available in the subscriber-resource library for all newsletter subscribers – join the free newsletter here:
The cutting will go super quick if you use a rotary cutter. I have used these with my project:
1. Fiskars Rotary Cutter
2. quilting ruler (I have a metric one as I live in Europe)
3. This Olfa self-healing Cutting Mat
This makes fabric selection super quick:
Do you think you have no time to search for those 8 (or more) different scraps of fabric? Let alone measuring and cutting them? I’ve got an idea for you. Something like this:
And This makes cutting super quick: the template.
It’s all squares, easy! And for those who don’t have a rotary cutter with a cutting mat, I’ve made a totally simple PDF template (free for all newsletter subscribers) to eliminate any measuring work and make it super easy!
The Template is available in the subscriber-resource library for all newsletter subscribers – join the free newsletter here.
You can print the template on cardboard to make it last longer.
Memory Game Tutorial
First, here’s a video slide-show for those of you who prefer video how-tos. Check it out here:
Steps
1) You’ll need a set of three pieces of fabric to make one finished piece. See above for measurements. In short, it will look like this:
And each time, you’ll make two identical, matching pieces.
4) Place the front piece with the print right side up, and then the backing piece on it, so the right sides will be facing (=RST):
5) Sew around using a straight stitch, make sure to leave an opening for turning in the middle of one side.
6) Clip the corners for a nice finish and to reduce the bulk.
8) Press.
9) Edgestitch around the ‘card’ to give it a more polished look, and to close the opening that had been left for turning.
Repeat 15 times, and you’re done 🙂 You can make a larger set than the one I chose, off course.
The finished size of each square will be a bit more than 3 inch.
Playtime! Off course we needed to try these beauties out right away!
Why Are Memory Games Good?
- it’s an excellent fine motor skills exercise
- hand-eye coordination
- improve concentration
- train short-term memory
- increase attention to detail
- help toddlers grasp the object permanence
- if played with others, kids learn how to take turns (taking turns is a pretty hard concept to grasp if you’re two years old!)
- and much more!
How To Play Memory Game
How to play: you’ve got lots of options, depending on the development level of the child.
a) Match-Up Game.
Very suitable for small children. Set up a line of control cards (one card per each pair). The other piece of the pair is placed on a pile. The child takes a card from the pile and allocates it to the matching control card in the line, until all cards are matched.
b) Match Two Sets of Sorting Cards. Single player, the child attempts to find a pair to each of the cards. can be played with all cards face-up, or face-down.
c) the CLASSIC Memory Game.
1) Spread cards face-down on a flat surface so only the backing is visible.
2) Taking turns, flip two pieces over. If the cards match, the player keeps them and flips the next two over. If the cards don’t match, they are turned face-down again and the next player takes his turn.
3) The person with the highest number of pairs is the winner.
d) Variations and imaginative play, welcome!
The memory game pieces might at some point turn into something else, like landing pods or stepping stones for an entirely different game. Not part of the plan, but it was fun! My older kid was trying to explain the rules to me, but – alas – I either didn’t grasp them or they kept changing too quickly for me.
Pin For Later:
Want More Free Patterns+Tutorials?
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| Get this pattern HERE. |
Aunt Mimi says
What a fun idea. This is perfect for my niece's 3 littles. Big sister & brothers can help them play. This is perfect for birthdays &/or Christmas. Thanks for sharing.
Shambavi says
Am planning to try this out asap. Love it.
Pam @Threading My Way says
Kids love memory games. They don't realise they are learning while playing. When my kids were young, I bought them lots of memory games – never thought to make one with scrap fabric. Clever idea! I've showcased your tutorial this weekend.