Currently, a mouse pad is considered an optional accessory rather than an urgent need, however, many users of desktop computers and laptops still can not do without this simple but practical thing. If you rank yourself among them or know a person who would be happy with an unusual and unique gift, an article on how to make a comfortable mouse mat with your own hands will probably come in handy.
Material selection
The basis of the future product can be polystyrene, cork or ordinary felt, from which soft toys are sewn. Although the felt itself is a fabric, it is great for creating computer accessories: a slightly fleecy, but rather smooth surface of the canvas does not prevent the optical mouse from moving freely around the perimeter and controlling the cursor on the gadget screen.
The undoubted advantage of using felt is that with its help it is possible to make almost any mouse pad with your own hands. Nothing limits the flight of your imagination regarding the shapes and sizes of the future product, unless it is advisable to keep in mind the limit of the space allotted for the accessory on the desktop.
Template selection
To create an original rug, you will first need an interesting shape template. You can cut it out of ordinary thin paper. If the rug is intended as a gift to a friend, think about which shape will better reflect the individuality of the donee and will definitely appeal to him. The options are innumerable. Here are just a few of them:
- Animal: cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes, crocodiles, pigs, etc. A recognizable silhouette of the beast or a characteristic detail that belongs to its appearance or simply associated with this animal (such as the shape of a symmetrical bone) will be an excellent choice.
- Bestial paw. Despite the menacing sound, such an accessory will look very cute and suitable for a gift to a girl. Do not forget to add cat “pads” to each “finger” on the paw.
- The head of the animal. You can, of course, create a homemade mouse pad in the form of a large dog or a rounded pig, but not all animal silhouettes will look equally adequate. A horse, for example, will not work, because its silhouette looks too bulky. An alternative compact option will be the head of a horse. You can even add him a magic horn.
- Geometric shape. Ordinary rugs have a rectangular format. Connect your imagination and choose the most extraordinary geometric shape - a circle, triangle, hexagon or even a five-pointed star.
Template preparation
As indicated above, the future do-it-yourself mouse pad can be materially embodied already at the stage of manufacturing the template. The chosen silhouette is often drawn by hand, however, to get the perfect shape, it is advisable to use a ruler or even special patterns. An interesting picture can be chosen from the materials of thematic forums or print newspapers and magazines. The paper publication is likely to have to be scaled up; with a finished picture from the Internet there will be much less problems. Once the full-size image is ready, cut it out of paper. Now you have a full-fledged template.
Fabric Features
To make a beautiful and high-quality mouse mat with your own hands, you need to choose a good felt. Material can be purchased at fabric stores. Keep in mind that to create a durable and practical computer accessory, you will need a base made of real wool, not artificial fiber. Natural wool not only looks more chic than polyester, but also provides long-term use of a home-made thing, on which the mouse will often slide. It is also important that the material does not interfere with the functioning of the electronic components of the input device.
Strictly speaking, a modest do-it-yourself mouse mat can also be cut out of artificial felt, which is much more delicate to the touch and can not be reached at all. However, to ensure its comfortable use and relative durability, it will be necessary to treat such a product with a special fabric glue that will smooth the rough surface of the synthetic fiber and allow you to safely control the gadget.
Working process
If you make a do-it-yourself mouse pad as a gift to a friend or relative, do not forget that the product should ideally be the color that the donee likes best.
Cut the main shape of the mat according to the prepared paper template.
You might want to add decorative elements, such as paw pads, eyes, or letters. Make separate small templates for them and prepare a felt of contrasting colors. Remember that any decorative additions should be thin enough so that they do not interfere with the use of the mat for its intended purpose.
Completion
The felt blank should be attached to a piece of self-adhesive foam base, cut according to a similar pattern, or to a special anti-slip material for gluing shelves. In the second case, you will need a simple glue or thread, with which you can sew felt on the base. Fasten the product layers as carefully as possible so that wrinkles do not appear on the surface of the fabric.
You have made a great doormat for your mouse. It remains to put it on a computer table and see how smoothly the mouse will slide on it.