Ever since I started my family back in 2015 I decided that I was going to attempt to follow as best as possible a handmade or useful gifting policy.  It’s not always possible but I think so far I have been pretty good at it.  The last few years it has all been about the Tiny House Book but now my kids are a little older I have been working on a new idea to gift to older kids… The Games Book is under way!

We travel a lot on trains and have had a Games set – chess/chequers/ludo – that travels with us to lessen the boredom.   On our last camping trip the plastic casing broke and we lost lots of the pieces.  I am always on the search for new ideas to sew and an idea came to me to create a similar set out of fabric.  The Games Book was born.

The Growth of the Games Book

One of my favourite sizes of patchwork blocks is the 6.5″ square.  I fell in love with this size when I made my Green and Orange quilt in the 100 squares in 100 days challenge back in 2018.  I’ve played around with lots of different blocks since, trying out different patchwork techniques and just getting to play…

What it does mean is that I had a stack of 6.5″ square blocks piling up that weren’t being used – they are orphaned no longer.  Using these blocks to create some of the pages of the Games Book along with the actual Game Boards helped speed the creating process along to make some pretty fun and unique books!

A handmade fabric chess board and snakes and ladders board

Being able to travel light is also very important to us so it made sense to me to use this size as it’s fairly small and will fit in a bag without much problem, being fabric it’s also light in weight.  Not being plastic helps too so it’s not going to break!!  Perfect!

Gifting the Games Book

As ever with my sewing process, I make prototypes to give to my nieces as gifts.  They were all well receive.  It’s where the inspiration and the magic happens:

It was the bench idea to turn into my next sewing pattern to share.  While I was making my nieces my daughter asked whether she could have one for her birthday too.  With 2 weeks to spare I knew I didn’t have enough time to turn one out for her so I decided to try and make a book that I could add to.  Like a folder that could have inserts and change games around.

This was an interesting process to me as I have never made a book like it but it worked and it turned out great.  She picked out the fabrics not knowing what it was being made into and it was designed especially for her.  So much fun and little bits of embroidery to add:

A fun little handmade games book

The Games Book – Sew along – A 6 month Game of the Month – GOM

Do you want to join me in making your own Games Book?

What’s involved: 

The Games Book has the option to become 2 different styles of book.  A Folder style book so that you can remove the pages and switch the games around. Alternatively a book where the pages are sewn into place.  Each page can be a different game to play, with added pockets and hidden gems.

Not just a Games book

The beauty of the Games Book is that it is designed from a regular “quilt block” size; the 6.5” square block.  Hidden amongst the games you can use your favourite fabric prints or have a play around with different patchwork blocks.  Not every pages needs to be a game!  You can really let your imagination run wild by creating a story amongst the play.

front cover of the games book

Sign up Options to the Games Book – A 6 months Block of the Month or Game of the Month!

Head over to sign up here in my members area

There are a couple of different options for you if you’d like to join in, hopefully taking in to account different levels of skill and affordability.

The Physical Game Book

This option is for those of you that don’t want to fiddle and sew tiny board game squares!  Each month I’ll send you a fabric game panel and relevant counters to use inside your Games Book.   You will need your own fabric supplies to turn it into a page in your book but this option takes away the complex sewing!

a chess board made in patchwork fabric

There are options to pay monthly or in a one time payment.  Postage is included in the price and despatched from the UK – If ordering from World Wide (outside UK) please pick the Worldwide P&P option.

Buying the Physical Game Book option will also give you the Game Book in digital form, giving access to the Game Book Community and all the tutorials/downloads that are needed to create your Games Book.

The Digital Game Book

If you really want to sew a Games Book and feel confident in your tiny sewing abilities then this is your option.  You’ll have access to the Game Book Community and all the tutorials/downloads to sew your own Games Book from your own supplies.

noughts and crosses board

Each month brings a new game panel for your to make and enjoy…. I’m keeping the order of these under wraps as I like surprises but I will tell you about month one…

Are you in? Head to the members area: Click to sign up now.  

Month One – The Cover & Chess Set

This was where I started.  I wanted to create a book for a chess set out of fabric.  Lots of sewing and trialling it out I now have a fabric chess board in small fabric proportions.  The cover is one of the most important bits of the Games Book.  You get to make the decision to sew a folder or a book.  You can use your favourite fabric prints or create your own unique patchwork blocks.  If you are sewing for children you can make it fun for them with special prints.

fabric chess set to be delivered to you

Over the following 5 months there will be a variety of different Games or Boards to sew and add, here are a few to get you excited:  Snakes and Ladders, O&X’s, Snap… I’ll keep you guessing on the rest!

BONUS FOR ANYONE THAT SIGNS UP TO THE PHYSICAL GAME BOOK ONE TIME PAYMENT OPTION BY 1/3/24 WILL GET A FREE SET OF HANDMADE RAINBOW DICE WITH THEIR FIRST GAME BOARD!

What You Will Need to Sew The Game Book

The overall size of the the Games Book is 17cm square by approx 3-5cm depending on how many pages you are using.  In patchwork terms the square is a 6.5″ square once sewn into a book it becomes approx 6″ depending on the finish of the book.

  • Due to it’s size, you could use a small selection of fat quarters for this project, better still let’s use those orphan blocks or scraps! You won’t bust your scrap pile but you can use some up!
  • Interfacing, Wadding, iron on adhesive
  • Sewing needles, threads and embroidery threads.
  • Ribbon or String
  • Felt pieces or
  • Buttons/Elastic/Beads

I do recommend using a sewing machine for this project, I am always adamant that things can be sewn by hand too but having a sewing machine definitely speeds things along.  The Physical Game Boards I am supplying are the boards printed onto fabric and relevant fabric counters, you will need your own fabrics too.

Skill level

  • With the Physical Game Boards – Beginner – and grow in confidence to sew your own Game Boards as you’ll have access to the digital instructions too.
  • Just the Digital – Confident – there is a lot of tiny patchwork involved so would recommend the physical if you are worried.

Are you Game?   Click to sign up now.  

Get access into the Games Book portal and the community – the pattern will be released on the 1st March 2024 and the first Physical game boards will be shipped out on this date.  Say hi in the community, make friends and get to know you.   We are running from March through to August 24 if you sign up within that time you will join us in that month we are on and any previous months will be shipped at the same time.

BONUS FOR ANYONE THAT SIGNS UP TO THE PHYSICAL GAME BOOK ONE TIME PAYMENT OPTION BY 1/3/24 WILL GET A FREE SET OF HANDMADE RAINBOW DICE WITH THEIR FIRST GAME BOARD!