Welcome to my Diy mouse pad tutorial. If you are looking to brighten up a dull office desk or for the perfect present for your work friends – why not make a fabric-covered mouse pad?
For the last year, I’ve been using a really ugly plastic mousepad that makes marks on my wrist, so when I had a little spare time this week I thought it was time to make myself a pretty fabric-covered mouse pad.
I’m always quick to embellish any plain t-shirts I buy so I thought why not do a DIY mouse pad!
And why are mouse pads always round or square? Let’s make a fun heart shape instead.
DIY Mouse Pad
Supplies you will need for your DIY mouse pad:
The Mouse Pad
I started with a really cheap rubber mousepad I purchased from a discount store. This one is 9 3/4” (25cm) x 8 1/4” (21cm) which is a fairly common size. Actually, it was slightly smaller than the packet indicated but that didn’t matter. Most mousepads are made from a fabric-covered, rubber-type fabric similar to wetsuit material.
If you can’t get a cheap mouse pad, you can substitute thin cork mats which can be purchased at hardware stores.
Recycle
You could also just recover an old mousepad and give it a much-needed facelift. If the old fabric is lifting, just peel it off revealing a fresh face underneath just waiting to be recovered.
Extra Supplies
In addition, you will need –
- Fat quarter or a scrap of cotton fabric. Cotton fabric is best as you will need to iron it on fairly high heat in order for it to fuse to the interfacing.
- Double sided fusible interfacing
- An iron
- Sharp scissors
- Pen
- My Heart-shaped template
Diy Mouse Pad | HOW TO MAKE A FABRIC COVERED MOUSE PAD
Step 1: Cut Fabric and Interfacing
Cut out your fabric and double-sided interfacing the same sizes as your mouse pad. You can just cut roughly since we will be trimming down to our heart template size.
Step 2: Press the Interfacing
Press the double-sided interfacing with the paper side up onto the wrong side of the fabric.
Make sure you read the instructions from the manufacturer of the interfacing and have your iron on the correct heat setting. You want it to bond well.
Step 3: Join to the Mouse Pad
Once the fabric has cooled, peel off the paper and place the fabric right side up on the mousepad.
Press the fabric to the fabric side of the mousepad. Make sure you go over it numerous times so the fabric is well bonded to the diy mouse pad.
Step 4: Download the Template
Download and then cut out your heart mousepad pattern template by clicking on the link.
This heart will fit a standard size mouse but you can easily enlarge or reduce it using your photocopier if necessary.
If you don’t like hearts, you could make a template for any shape you like. Just make sure there is enough room on the mat for your mouse. What about a star or flower shape? Or maybe you are artistic and can draw something really quirky that is just you.
Step 5: Cut Out the Heart
Trace around the template on the back of your mousepad. Don’t trace on the front in case the pen shows on the fabric.
Cut out the heart neatly using sharp scissors. The mouse pad was surprisingly easy to cut.
DIY Mouse Pad Decorative Ideas
Idea #1
You could topstitch around the edge with your machine. My machine handled it surprisingly easily but you may want to test one of the scrap pieces first. If your machine struggles even slightly then don’t sew.
Idea #2
You could also apply some Fray Check to the edges but I found that the double-sided interfacing stopped my fabric from fraying.
Idea #3
I made one for my mother where I glued ric-rac around the edge. Use a hot glue gun to add thin lace, cord or ric-rac. What about adding rhinestones around the edge for some personalized bling.
Now for some relaxation time at the computer so I can admire my latest project. Go ahead and make your own fabric covered DIY mouse pad – it’s easy!
Sheila Coon says
Thank you for sharing what you make,truly awesome. Sheila
Sue says
Thanks for sharing, this seems really easy.