"Printed Fabric Sea Mat" Topic

I came across an old (2009) posting from a forum I'd never heard of before, and it has convinced me that I definitely need to track down some printed fabric similar to the kind the writer found for himself. I love the look. Here is the original post:

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Have you guys seen something along these lines before? What do you think of it?

I've used fabric prints, from the fabric stores, for years. I have one which is primarily charcoal gray (near black), with slightly lighter colored mottling patterns over it. I use it for a dungeon surface for Underdark/underground fantasy games (I place upright, 3-D foam pieces, painted to match, on top, to form passageways, and other obstacles -- fully customizable shapes/patterns).

I use a swampy green pattern I found, cut into odd oval shapes, with the edges surged (specialized sewing machine, makes a finished edge; examples are the threads stitch-wrapped around the inside seams of denim blue jeans, crotch area) to finish them. I put swamp plants from cake decorations, on top, to show they are swampy areas. These are perfect for obstacles/difficult terrain, as well as creating a home turf for Lizardmen to hide in…

For forested/wooded areas, I found a wooded tree pattern. Again, I cut it into odd shaped ovals of different sizes, and surged the edges, to finish them. I place these down, as needed, and place tree models on top of the fabric, to further demonstrate that the area is wooded. When figures move through the area, I know where it starts/ends, and I just move the tree models out of the way, as needed. The figures move freely, but they pay a movement penalty, of course, while in the wooded areas.

I had my wife help me quilt together mottled green squares, with concrete gray mottled squares, to form a grid pattern of grassy lots, with roadways running through them, like city blocks, for my 54mm Army Men games. I place ruined buildings atop the grassy areas, to create urban ruins to move troops and vehicles through. Looks great, quick, easy, customizable, and re-usable.

There are many possibilities… Go visit your local fabric stores to see what is available. There are 100's of patterns out there, and a number of them can be adapted to gaming use. Green felt is there, too, but the patterns available, put green felt to shame -- and they can be washed, unlike felt! If you do wash them, remember to also iron them flat afterwards, or they will never sit flat on your tabletop, creating all sorts of difficulties.

I game on a 9' x 5' ping pong table. I had help from my wife to sew the pieces of fabric together, to form a cover for the entire tabletop (most fabric covers are 10' x 6', so they hang over all of the edges). I unfold the cover, position it atop the table (use the under-the-rug, anti-skid pads, to keep it from shifting, if needed), put the terrain pieces on top, and then the figures come out. It works fast, and easy, but it also looks good, IMO. YMMV. Cheers!

I also get material from Hancock Fabrics, but have never seen a print that so closely resembles sea waves. This is amazing and if whoever did the print started duplicating it for game mats, they could make some serious money!

Oooooh, that is fantastic! I hope someone can find where to get that pattern.

Visit each of your local fabric stores. Take a printout of the pattern with you, and ask the staff if they have anything like that. You'd be amazed how those ladies will jump to help a man find something in their store -- men shopping for fabric is a genuine rarity for them. ;-) Cheers!

Sgt. Slag, I'll definitely be making some visits to the local stores. But I think the novelty of a man shopping for fabric might be of a lesser degree in New York City. I may not be able to expect as much enthusiasm from the employees than I would in the 'burbs. They're just going to think I'm one of the nerdier looking fashion students…..
- James

I just bought some teddy bear fur at a fabric store the other day. The ladies actually made a fuss over me. Found just the stuff. And experienced some of the most attentive service I've ever experienced. Now, if only they sold miniatures…

That's like seeing a woman on a golf course, it doesn't matter what she looks like she's the hottest thing out there.

I did a long Google search for printed fabric using combinations like 'Ocean Wave Print Fabric', Sea Wave Print', etc. and came up with nothing even close to this. The more I look at these pictures the more I want this fabric. Very frustrating.

I've been having the exact same experience Vol. I'm going to poke around in some stores today, will let you know if I find anything. – James

Fabric manufacturers vary their patterns produced frequently. Unfortunately, you will need to visit your local stores regularly, asking the staff if they have a wave pattern like that photo. Don't forget to check the discount fabric stores, as well. I'd suggest avoiding quilt shops, as they won't typically have what you want. Cheers!

Sgt Slag, if you run across something like this I hope you will let us know.

Volunteer, All:

Fabric patterns change frequently -- they rarely keep any pattern stocked for very long. It is a fluid industry, and change is the norm. My wife worked, P/T, in a discount fabric store, so I know a little bit about how they work. If you had the manufacturer, the print number, etc., in hand, they might be able to get it ordered -- you can try, but they have to order an entire bolt of it, and you will only need a couple of yards, which is a fraction of a bolt. Check bi-weekly, if you can; perhaps you can strike up a working relationship where they will take down your name and number, and call you when something comes in -- maybe not… Best of luck. Cheers!

I would buy an entire bolt and make a small fortune selling sea mats to fellow naval gamers.

You would Vol. Put my name down for mim 10 yds
Be safe,
Rory

A possible solution to this dilemma? TMP link

If you can find the correct image (your copyright, or public domain), you might be able to hire CorSecEng to print the fabric for you. If several folks query him on the topic, he may offer such a cloth table cover as a stock item. Cheers!

I've been poking about on the net and checking local stores recently, and haven't managed to track down the print that those ships are sitting on. So far this is the nearest thing I've been able to find, on the website of a sewing supply center in Tasmania:

From here, with some other watery prints too: easysew.com.au/page15.htm

Peaceful Water looks promising.

I like it!
Be safe
Rory