Make Your Own Custom Felt Dice Tray for Tabletop Games

The Ultimate Guide to Making Your Own Felt Dice Tray

As tabletop and roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons continue to grow in popularity, more and more players are looking for fun ways to enhance their gaming experience. One popular accessory that has emerged is the felt dice tray - a small container made of felt that helps contain all those dice rolls. Felt dice trays are not only super handy, but making your own allows you to customize it to match your unique style.

Why Use a Felt Dice Tray?

For tabletop gamers, keeping track of all those polyhedral dice during a gaming session can be a challenge. Dice end up scattered all over the table and are easily knocked over. A felt dice tray helps by corralling all those dice into one convenient spot. It provides a designated area to roll your dice, preventing them from going astray. The soft felt also helps muffle the sound of rolling dice, which can be disruptive during important gaming moments.

In addition to practicality, felt dice trays add some fun flair to your gaming table. As a handmade accessory, it allows you to infuse the tray with your own creative style. You can use favorite fandom fabrics or colors that match your gaming decor. It's an easy way to showcase your passion for your favorite games.

Choosing Your Felt

When making a felt dice tray, your choice of felt is important. Look for a medium to heavy weight wool or wool blend felt. Lighter weight felt may sag over time, while heavier felt will be rigid and stand up better. Aim for felt around 2-3 mm thickness.

Consider the color and pattern you want for your tray. Solid colors like black, blue, or green are versatile options that pair with any decor. There are also tons of patterned felts to explore like geometric, floral, plaid, or novelty prints. Choose fabric designs that reflect your interests or gaming style.

The size of felt you need will depend on the finished size you want your dice tray. Buy extra to give yourself more flexibility while cutting. Standard widths of felt available at craft stores are usually around 54-60 inches wide. You'll likely need 1/4 to 1/2 yard of felt.

Tools and Materials

Making a felt dice tray is easy and doesn't require any fancy tools. Here's what you'll need to get started:

• Felt fabric (amount will vary based on tray size)
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
• Pins
• Hand-sewing needle
• Matching sewing thread
• Poly-fil stuffing
• Pencil or fabric marker

Optional items that can help create a more polished tray include:

• Self-healing cutting mat
• Acrylic ruler
• Iron

How to Make a Basic Felt Dice Tray

Follow these simple steps to sew your own custom felt dice tray:

1. Cut your fabric pieces. Determine the finished size you want for your tray. Cut two matching rectangles for the top and bottom. Cut two strips for the sides, measuring the height you want plus 1/2 inch. The extra height allows for seam allowances.
2. Iron the edges. Use an iron to press under 1/4 inch along the long edges of the side strips. This folds the raw edge under for a cleaner look.
3. Pin and sew the sides. With right sides facing, pin the side strips to the bottom rectangle. The folded hem should line up with the edge of the bottom. Sew along this seam and backstitch at each end for durability.
4. Box the corners. Fold the side seam flat, lining up the bottom edges. Sew across this diagonal seam to box the corner. Trim excess corner fabric. Repeat for all four corners.
5. Add batting. Place a layer of poly-fil stuffing inside the tray bottom. This padding helps the dice tray keep its shape.
6. Sew the top. With right sides together, pin the top rectangle to the assembled sides. Sew around the top seam and backstitch at the corners. Leave a 3-4 inch opening along one side.
7. Trim seam allowances. Trim the excess seam allowance around the top to reduce bulk. Clip corners diagonally to reduce bulk.
8. Turn the tray right side out. Reach inside the opening and carefully pull the tray right side out. Use a chopstick or pencil to push out the corners.
9. Topstitch the opening. Hand sew a straight stitch along the opening to close it up. Add an additional topstitch all the way around the top seam for decoration.

Once all the sewing is complete, simply fill your tray with dice and enjoy using your handmade accessory during your next gaming session!

Customizing Your Tray

One of the best parts of making your own felt dice tray is customizing it to suit your own style. Here are some easy ways to make your tray unique:

• Add dividers or pockets: Sew in fabric dividers to corral different sets of dice. Make little pockets to hold dice bags or character sheets.
• Personalize with applique: Sew on patches, your initials, gaming icons, or other appliques using a zigzag or satin stitch.
• Layer on lace: For an elegant tray, layer lace around the edges before construction.
• Paint designs: Use fabric paint pens to draw designs, logos, or signatures on your finished tray.
• Shape the corners: For interest, round the tray corners by cutting rounded rectangles instead of straight.

It's also easy to give your tray more structure and thickness by using foam core, interfacing, or heavy chipboard inside. With so many options, you can create a felt dice tray perfect for your gaming style.

Get Rolling with Your Custom Dice Tray

As you can see, sewing your own felt dice tray is a fun, simple DIY project for tabletop gamers. In just an afternoon, you can have a custom accessory to level up your gaming experience. Felt dice trays keep those wild rolls under control, add personal flair to your gaming table, and make a great handmade gift for fellow players.

So gather some bold felt, break out the sewing tools, and let your creativity run wild. With some basic sewing skills and imagination, you'll be on your way to rolling in style. Your new felt dice tray is sure to impress all your RPG comrades during your next quest. Time to let the dice fly!

FAQs

What size should I make my felt dice tray?

The size depends on your needs, but aim for 6-12 inches wide and 4-6 inches high. This provides enough room to contain multiple dice throws. Just make sure it will fit on your gaming table with space around it.

What's the best felt to use?

Look for a medium to heavy weight wool or wool blend felt, around 2-3 mm thickness. It should be durable but still easy to cut and sew. Avoid lightweight craft felt, which won't hold its shape well over time.

How do I keep the tray walls upright?

Using poly-fil stuffing is key for padding and structure. You can also insert plastic canvas, chipboard sheets, or foam core inside before sewing up to reinforce the walls.

Can I add a lid or cover?

Absolutely! Simply cut an additional rectangular piece the same size as the top opening. Attach a loop with a button to secure the lid. Use a magnetic snap or velcro dots to make the lid removable.

What can I line my tray with?

For a luxurious feel, glue or sew in a layer of velvet, felt, or fleece fabric. You can also decorate the inside walls with fabric markers for a fun pop of color and texture.