Sewing Tutorial: Fabric Travel Game – Tic Tac Toe & Nine Men’s Morris as a Roll-Up Game Board

A fabric travel game is a handy and versatile project that brings joy both at home and on the go. A roll-up game board is especially practical: it is lightweight, easy to store and still sturdy enough to make playing comfortable. It can even be squeezed into the very last small corner of a suitcase without any trouble.

Combining two classic games – Tic Tac Toe on one side and Nine Men’s Morris on the other – makes this project an ideal companion for trips, holidays, car rides or as an activity for children in restaurants. The advantage of a sewn game board is not only its durability, but also the fact that it is fully customizable. Colors, materials and the design of the game lines can all be adapted to personal preference.

This project is based on a finished game board size of 26 × 26 cm. To allow for sufficient seam allowance, the fabric pieces are cut to 28 × 28 cm. An interlining is placed between the two fabric layers to give the game board stability. This provides a pleasant feel while keeping the board flexible enough to roll up easily after playing. Sewn-in ties secure the rolled board, and an attached pocket ensures that the game pieces are always neatly stored and ready to use.

Materials

• Cotton fabric for the front (e.g. IKEA Ditte)

• Cotton fabric for the back (e.g. IKEA Ditte)

• Interlining: molton, or alternatively volume fleece, thin felt or batting

• Fabric scraps for the game-piece pocket

• Ties: webbing (70 cm + 28 cm), cotton cord or self-made fabric ties

• Optional: cord stopper

• 9 buttons per color or alternatively felt, wooden discs, etc. for making the game pieces

• Fabric marker or fabric paint

• Ruler or preferably a quilting ruler

• Sewing thread

• Pins or clips

• Rotary cutter or scissors

Suitable Fabrics

The choice of fabric has a significant impact on the durability, appearance and handling of the finished game board. For a roll-up board that needs to lie flat while remaining stable, smooth and tightly woven fabrics are ideal. A classic cotton fabric such as IKEA “Ditte” has proven particularly reliable. It is easy to cut, does not fray excessively and is well suited for drawn or stitched game lines. Thanks to its dense weave, markings remain clear and the fabric retains its shape even with frequent use. It is also easy to care for and available in many colors, making it an excellent base for a clearly structured game board.

If a particularly robust board is desired, canvas or other heavy decorative fabrics can be used. These materials are very stable and withstand intensive use well. Due to their thickness, however, they are stiffer and slightly more difficult to turn. Dark canvas fabrics may also absorb fabric markers poorly, so fabric paint or stitched lines are often the better choice. Twill fabrics are also suitable, as they are sturdy and pleasantly firm, although their diagonal weave can slightly affect line accuracy depending on the technique used.

Molton has proven to be especially suitable as an interlining. It provides pleasant stability and light padding without making the board too stiff. Molton should always be prewashed, as it tends to shrink considerably. Alternatively, thin volume fleece can be used, which is lighter and softer but offers less stability. For a particularly firm result, thin felt can also be used as an interlining, as it prevents the layers from shifting and gives the board a clean shape.

Cutting

Cut 28 × 28 cm squares from both the outer fabric and the lining fabric. One square is needed from the lining fabric and two squares from the outer fabric.

For the game-piece pocket, also cut two rectangles measuring 13 × 8 cm.

Drawing the Game Lines

To ensure that the game board is durable and easy to play on, the game lines should be applied cleanly and permanently to the fabric. Several methods are possible, depending on the type of fabric and the desired look. The simplest method is using fabric markers. They are easy to control, require no drying time and are ideal for fine, precise lines. Since quality can vary between brands, it is recommended to test the marker on a fabric scrap first, as some markers may bleed on loosely woven fabrics.

Another option is to apply the lines with fabric paint and a brush. This method is more time-consuming but produces very durable and color-intense lines and is especially suitable for dark fabrics. Clean edges can be achieved by masking the lines with painter’s tape. The paint should be applied with a dabbing motion to prevent it from bleeding under the tape.

The most durable option is to sew or stitch the game lines. Stitched lines look particularly high-quality and are completely washable, but they require some practice and careful предвар drawing. The choice of method depends on the fabric used and the desired appearance. Cotton fabrics work well with all techniques, while canvas is better suited for fabric paint or stitched lines. Regardless of the method, a test piece should always be made beforehand.

I chose to draw the lines using a fabric marker (edding 8040 “Laundry”). If you prefer fabric paint, I can recommend Marabu Textil paint. Both products are usually available in craft stores or online. In any case, it is advisable to sketch all lines first using a disappearing fabric marker.

Creating the Tic Tac Toe Grid

The Tic Tac Toe grid consists of two vertical and two horizontal lines that divide the square into nine equal fields. For a balanced appearance, the grid should be centered on the fabric and the lines should run exactly parallel. Lay the fabric flat on an even surface and mark the layout using a quilting ruler. With a finished size of 26 × 26 cm, the distance of the lines from the outer edge is 9.5 cm, including a 1 cm seam allowance. Once the placement is correct, apply the lines using the chosen method.

Creating the Nine Men’s Morris Board

The Nine Men’s Morris board consists of three nested squares connected by four center lines on each side. The center of the fabric serves as an important reference point. First, draw the outer square, keeping a distance of 4 cm from the future outer edge, including a 1 cm seam allowance. Then draw the middle and inner squares at equal distances. The lines can be drawn, painted or stitched. Using a quilting ruler is especially helpful here to ensure accurate right angles.

Sewing the Game-Piece Pocket

Place both pocket pieces right sides together and finish one long edge using an overlock machine or sew it with a regular sewing machine and finish the seam with a zigzag stitch. Then fold the long outer edges inward by 0.5 cm, and again by 0.5 cm, and stitch close to the edge.

Next, fold the upper short edge inward by 1 cm and then another 1 cm, and stitch close to the edge as well.

Now fold the pocket right sides together and close the open side, ideally following an existing seam line. Be careful not to stitch through the drawstring channel; start sewing below it. The pocket is now finished, and the open bottom edge will be closed automatically when the game board is assembled.

Assembling the Game Board

Lay the lining fabric in front of you, then place the Nine Men’s Morris outer fabric on top with the right side facing up. Position the pocket in the upper right corner. Fold the 70 cm webbing in half and place the fold at the center of the left side.

Next, place the Tic Tac Toe outer fabric on top with the right side facing down.

Sew all layers together around the edges using a 1 cm seam allowance, leaving a 5 cm turning opening on one side.

Trim the corners diagonally and, if necessary, trim the lining slightly if it extends too far.

Turn the board right side out and shape the corners carefully. Press the board flat. Finally, topstitch around the entire board close to the edge, closing the turning opening. Fold the pocket upward while topstitching so it is not caught in the seam.

Finishing

Using a safety pin, thread the short piece of webbing through the drawstring channel of the pocket. If desired, add a cord stopper to make the pocket easy to close. Alternatively, the pocket can simply be tied with a knot or bow.

Tie knots in all webbing ends to prevent fraying and give the game board a final press.

Making the Game Pieces

For Tic Tac Toe, five pieces per player are required; for Nine Men’s Morris, nine pieces per player. This means nine pieces per color are needed. The simplest and most reliable option is to make the game pieces from felt. Cut identical circles or squares from felt that is at least 3 mm thick, for example circles with a diameter of about 2 cm. Felt pieces are lightweight, quiet and ideal for a travel game.

Alternatively, wooden discs can be used, painted and sealed with varnish. They look high-quality but are heavier and require a sturdy pocket. Fabric pieces are another option, either sewn flat or lightly stuffed, making them soft and easy to grip. For a quick solution, large buttons in two different colors work well and are often already available at home. For a more personal touch, natural materials such as pebbles or shells can also be used to give the game board a unique character.

Care Instructions

To ensure the game board lasts a long time, it should be handled gently. Cotton fabrics can be machine-washed at 30 °C. Felt should be washed by hand, as it may shrink or felt in the washing machine.

Your travel game is now finished.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you have any questions or run into any problems, feel free to leave a comment. I would also be happy to receive positive feedback.
Have fun sewing, and be sure to check out my other free blog posts or browse my shop for many more sewing and crochet patterns for practical projects as well as cute plush toys and amigurumi.