I decided that packing a puzzle up for transport couldn't possibly be very difficult, so I made a jigsaw puzzle caddy dirt cheap. You need:
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This old Carrom Game board, which has been stored in the attic for probably 40 years, sure did come in handy for putting this puzzle together. We needed a solid background so I took 6 pieces of computer printing paper and taped it to the board.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I was wondering if anyone has an idea of how to make a puzzle keeper. You roll out the cloth and put together a puzzle on it. You can "roll up" the puzzle and store it to roll it out again later when you want to work on the puzzle at another time. This way, a table or other popular surface isn't taken up and space and be saved.
Here is an example of the puzzle keeper from Amazon so you can get some ideas. Why should we pay lots of $ for it when we can make a cheaper version, right? Thanks in advance for your clever ideas! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XKDXLTF/?tag=thriftyfun0b-20Puzzles are nice but they do require table space and if you have a cat they always seem to know where they should not jump.
We made one similar to this video years ago and it still works great.
There are several ways to do this and some people use a yoga mat or other flat mat that can be rolled up. If you do not have a piece of PVC pipe handy for the center you can actually make a roll out of a large towel (but something sturdy works best).
Maybe these will give you some ideas.
www.google.com/
www.thriftyfun.com/
Which is easier and cheaper to make: the puzzle board or the puzzle mat?
That depends on if you are displaying or storing. For display the board works better when moving from table to table and used to admire. Using a mate ,works when the puzzle is put together and stored for a later date , this preserves and stores.
I think it would be easier cutting material for a mat than a board. It is softer.
The puzzle board and puzzle mat are made for two different purposes.
Usually, the puzzle mat is used to store smaller puzzles (but can be made/used for larger sizes also) as it is flexible so it can be rolled up and placed into some sort of 'tubing'. This means you can store it or carry it to another location.
The puzzle board is made to work on a table or floor and can be moved to different locations within the house. The board does not usually have a cover (unless you cover it with something; newspaper, linens/towels, etc) so it is not made for traveling.
The board can also be used for holding games like monopoly, etc.
Boards can be made out of wood, cardboard, etc. but each type takes a different level of skill to build and can cost (money).
I would say the puzzle mat is definitely easier to make but is not as substantial as the board.
Maybe you should decide how you wish to use this and then check out instructions online for both versions.
www.momadvice.com/
www.sugarmaplefarmhouse.com/
Puzzle boards can also be bought/made with a hardcover so it can also be moved to another location outside of the home.
Lots of great ideas/info right here on Thrifty Fun:
Puzzle Mats: www.thriftyfun.com/
Puzzle Boards: www.thriftyfun.com/
Since Joseph B. asks which of these two items is easier and cheaper to make, it is easier to make a puzzle mat, for example from a Craft Felt Sheet.
Read how to make a puzzle mat on this site: jigsawdepot.com/
I found a great instruction on how to make a puzzle board:
www.thriftyfun.com/
I made a puzzle board out of my flat screen tv box. When you open the box at the staples it comes apart in two halves. One of the halves has an edge all the way around it and keeps the pieces from hitting the floor. I have a cat who likes to push pieces to the floor.
Does anyone have an idea on how to make a puzzle caddy, the kind that rolls the puzzle up? Thank you.
By karen from Charleston, SC
When I first found these instructions (probably over 5 years ago), there were pictures. But now they're just written instructions. Maybe if you search on the internet, you'll find photos (if that's important to you).
Measure a piece of felt so that it is 4 - 6" larger than the completed puzzle plus a little extra on one side. Then take a cardboard tube left over from your giftwrap paper (the heavier the better) and wrap & glue (or sew) the longer end around the tube. Once dry roll up around tube and secure with rubber bands.
ehow.com has some nice instructions with pics.
www.ehow.com/
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I am wondering if anybody knows how to make a jigsaw puzzle mat? Please give any feedback or ideas! Thank you! Ericka, North Carolina
