Tabletop game mats? Giant mouse mat?

[Flibster]

We currently play card games or things like Azul, Sagrada, Splendor or Carcasonne. We normally use our dining room table, and frankly, it's horrible to play on. Shiny wood surface so everything slides about and as it's a leaf table there's edges that things get caught in.

I'd like to smooth the surface out with a mat.

Something like a giant fabric mouse mat would be lovely, but would need to be a custom size, about 800x600mm would do nicely. Can't go larger than 800 as I'd then have to trim it down. Other half would also prefer something other than black *sigh* Grey would be ok or even a generic unobtrusive pattern.

Is there anywhere that will do these in the UK, or will I have to get a larger one and cut it down to size?

 

[Flibster]

You can get a 900x900mm neoprene game mat for under £20 if you shop around.

Was actually on the bay looking at some neoprene fabric last night. 150cmx100cm is about £10-15... and that's with a fabric surface on top. Very tempting, would give me some extra for when we extend the table fully.

 

[Flibster]

Well, I've ordered a few of samples of different neoprene colours and finishes. Also some card table/pool table baize.
I'm planning to make a couple of travel versions of games, *Azul for instance* so will be looking at which take tshirt transfer prints nicely too.

[edit]

Other half mentioned something today. One of our friends has a smallish pool table with tabletop surface that they're looking at unloading soon as they have a kid coming. Something like that may work as both a dining table and a gaming surface. Could use the pockets as cup holders too...

Going to take a look at it next week as I'm going to be over there helping out with a few things.

 

[Flibster]

Got a sheet of 3mm neoprene from eBay and a set of tablecloth clips, works really well, I normally leave the tablecloth on just because it's easier but it adds a nice 'squish' to the table, very similar to playing on a nice gaming mat but a bit softer.

It's an utter git to try trim though so make sure you have some good scissors (if you don't buy it to the specific size)

Didn't think about tablecloth clips. That's a good idea. Cheers.

Have read that it's a pain. Someone at the games club I go to is a former seamstress so may ask her if she's ever dealt with it. I've got several various knives and additional blades, plus the other half has some large fabric scissors.
Also going to take the samples with me so I can get a few opinions on which may be the best surface.

 

[Flibster]

Thanks for reminding me.
In the end got about half a dozen samples of various fabrics. The 3mm neoprene was nice, but we (read other half) was concerned that it was bit too thick. The baize was just not that nice at all.

Ended up getting 2mx1.5m of "Luxury SUEDE BACKED Neoprene Scuba Wet suit Fabric Material - GREY" Wasn't the cheapest but it's thinner, about 1mm, but has enough give to soften the table surface, making it easier to pick up cards. Plus the suede finish is lovely. Cards and pieces don't move with the slightest of table wobbles.

Now I just need to cut it to size... A job for outside when it stops raining.

 

[Flibster]

The fabric may be. I'm not.