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Making Area Cloths With Shelf Liner


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Personal logo Sgt Slag Supporting Member of TMP writes:

I use this beneath my ground cover, which is indoor/outdoor carpet (no patterns): it holds it in place so that it will not slide around on top of the table.

Mine is from Wal-Mart, forget the brand name. It is washable in the clothes washing machine -- I've washed it a couple of times, and it comes out clean, and stickier than it was when it went in!

For ground cloth areas such as your article discusses, I use printed fabrics with patterns depicting the terrain type I am interested in representing: swampland (with plastic plants on bases, resting atop the fabric pieces), forests, etc. I use my wife's serger sewing machine to finish the edges such that the fabric will not unravel over time.

I like the idea of using the anti-slip padding, if it is in the correct colors, but I think I prefer to use an oval fabric, if I can find an appropriate pattern at the local fabric store. It is fun to browse through their multitude of cloth bolts to see what they have on offer -- it changes frequently, so if you find a pattern you like, buy it! Here today, gone tomorrow… Cheers!


Revision Log
23 May 2025page first published

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©1994-2025 Bill Armintrout
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Personal logo Editor in Chief Bill The Editor of TMP Fezian writes:

In some rules, a tree on the tabletop is… well… a tree. You can't walk through or shoot through a tree, and you can't move it.

But in other rules, a forest is represented by an area cloth, and the individual trees on that cloth represent – not actual trees – but the concept of trees. The trees standing on the cloth mean this is a forest, and it doesn't matter how many trees there are or exactly where they stand.

Area cloths are commonly made with felt, usually in a color that corresponds to the terrain they represent (forest, jungle, swamp, etc.). You can also buy commercial products, printed on fleece or other materials.

Shelf Liners

I'm experimenting today with using a type of shelf liner to make area cloths. This particular product is called No-Slip Shelf Liner, sells at Dollar Tree for $1.25 USD for a 1' x 6' roll, and consists of a rubbery material that's nearly indestructible. It comes in black, white, gray and tan.

Orc on shelf liner

Above, you can see a 32mm Orc standing on a roll of gray shelf liner. The material has a little curve in it due to being rolled up, but I suppose it will flatten if pressed flat for a while.

Close-up of Orc on shelf liner

Above is a closer look, so you can see the nature of the shelf liner. I suspect it will be longer-wearing and easier to clean than a felt cloth. It would be more suitable if it came in another color – like green!

Cutting the shelf liner

The rules I'm using suggest area cloths in square sizes of 8", 12" and 16". With the 12" roll, it is easy to measure 12" along the roll, and cut the material with scissors, a craft knife, or a roller cutter. The rules I'm using also suggest rounded corners for 'natural' terrain, so I used a roll of tape to cut around to make the corners.

12-inch shelf liner

Above, you can see a finished 12-inch-square area cloth draped over a commercial hill piece. The cloth might drape better if heated with a blow drier. Some of the terrain color shows through the shelf liner material.

8-inch shelf liner

Making 8" squares requires two cuts, and leaves 4" of shelf liner excess. You could also leave some curves off, so that you could combine cloths to make larger areas, such as two adjoining forests.

16-inch shelf liner

Making the 16" squares is more difficult with a 12"-wide roll. You cut a 12" x 16" piece, and then cut a 4" x 16" piece (using the leftover from making 8" squares). Combine the two pieces to make a 16" square. In the picture above, the pieces seem mismatched, but that's just a shadow from the slightly curled edge.

(I couldn't think of a way to connect the two pieces, and it doesn't seem necessary as the shelf liner is, after all, non-slip!)

Evil pumpkin field

So here's an example of how this is supposed to work. Above is an Evil Pumpkin Field. The shelf liner marks the extent of the field; the terrain pieces identify the nature of the field, and the number and placement are up to your taste.

Fighting in the Evil Pumpkin Field

Now, when figures engage in combat in the Evil Pumpkin Field, the shelf liner does not move – it is the field. But the terrain pieces do move to make room for the figures. They do not represent specific Evil Pumpkins, but the concept of Evil Pumpkins being in this field. They can even be removed, if needed for gameplay.

I know this is pretty basic stuff for some of you, but I wanted to explain it fully for anyone new to this concept of terrain in wargaming.

Time will tell if this non-slip shelf liner is a better option than time-honored felt. I'm being open-minded.