Battleships folders - a tutorial






Just recently I've rediscovered playing Battleships through teaching the game to my girls.  Now I'm not talking about the new fangled computer version, but the good old-fashioned pencil and paper version! See this post on my other blog - Be Our Best for more details about the game itself!

Anyway - playing this game again, inspired me to make some special little folders to hold the papers in and that the girls can use for playing the game!

I decided to shy away from the usual pinks and purples I work with for the girls..

And here's one in action! (they had to play a game as soon as they saw their new little folders!)


There is a little slide in pocket for a pencil in the centre - and space to store finished games or extra notes..



They're nice and simple to make - and could be used for things other than battleships too - like wordsearches, sudoku, crosswords, or just plain paper for writing or drawing!

First the materials:
2 pieces of stiff card - 14 x 22 cm (5.5 x 8.75")
1 piece outer fabric - 34 x 24 cm (13.5 x 9.5")
1 piece inner fabric - 34 x 24 cm (13.5 x 13.5")
1 piece inner fabric- 34 x 12 cm (13.5 x 4.75")
1 piece inner fabric - 16 cm square (6.25" square)
1 piece each inner and outer fabric for flap - 10 x 6 cm (4 x 2.25")
sew in velcro 6 cm (2.25")

First of all, attach one piece of the velcro to the inner fabric flap piece - about 1 cm in from long edge, and centrally placed.

Then sew around three sides of the flap pieces (right sides together) and trim the corners.



Turn right sides out, and topstitch close to edge.


Attach the flap to one end of the outer fabric (right sides together and centrally placed) then attach the other half of the velcro on the other end, 2cm  ( 1")in from edge and centrally placed.

Take the inner fabric piece (34 x 12 cm)/(13.5 x 4.75")  and double turn then stitch one of the long edges.

Take the 16 cm (6.25") square piece of inner fabric and double turn and stitch all 4 edges:

Then fold diagonally and cut like so:

Then you need to pin all the inner pieces of fabric on top of the largest piece like this:
And stitch securely in place.

Now place the two pieces,right sides together. Pin and stitch around 3 sides, leaving the edge with the flap open.

Turn right sides out, and push the first piece of card all the way in, then stitch along the edge of it to hold in place.
Make another line of stitching 2 cm  (1") further along - this will form your pencil pocket.

Push the remaining card into the other side, fold the edges of the fabric inside and stitch closed.
DONE!
Add the pencil...
Add the battleships sheet (you can download one for free here)
Or a wordsearch, crossword or something else (fits A4 paper)
And use it!!





For the downloadable PDF version of this tutorial, click here.

Have fun playing!




22 comments:

  1. Great idea! And your tutorial is easy to follow

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  2. As a mother and teacher, I this is such a great idea! Another addition is that you can laminate the game paper and use expo pens so it can be reused! Thanks for thet tutorial!

    Andrea
    www.addicted2tutes.blogspot.com

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  3. This is such a great idea! I used to love playing battleship with my brother when I was younger and had lots of fun. I think this would be perfect for a car travelling came, not pieces to get lost. Great tutorial, thank you. xo

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  4. i never knew there was a paper and pencil version. I used to LOVE playing the boardgame with my mom. I'll have to dig it out to play with my boys.

    Thanks for linking up to Friendly Wednesday - I'm following you back!

    www.savingthosedollars.blogspot.com

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  5. you're so crafty!! i always love playing that battle ship game even now hehe, thanks for sharing!

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  6. how cute is that, i totally forgot about that game! thanks for linking this to my party!

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  7. What a neat idea, that would be great for a long car trip.

    I saw this on CraftGossip.

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  8. I play the peg game of Battleship with my grandchildren and never even thought about how it was before. You did a great job.

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  9. That is a really clever idea! I am visiting from Sew Much Ado and I am a new follower!
    Have a great day!
    Michelle
    www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com

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  10. Easy tutorial. Thanks for sharing.

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    ReplyDelete
  11. Great Idea! I featured this today at Today's Top 20!

    Amanda
    www.todaystoptwenty.blogspot.com

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  12. Such a clever idea! I was inspired by you to make a slightly different version using cardboard and transparency sheets (so the game cards can be re-used), but I love your fabric version. My 6-year-old is having a bit of trouble 'reading' the graph correctly but it will be a good learning tool for him!

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  13. Oh this is GENIUS! I love this idea -- thank you so much for sharing!!

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  14. This is neat......can I get a copy of the game too?????
    Thanks!
    Gay Ferland
    gay_ferland@yahoo.com

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  15. You could also laminate the paper and use dry erase pens

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  16. This is a great idea, thanks for putting it up here. My brothers and I used to play this when we were young (in England). I also taught my own sons how to play this version and I now think I need to teach my grandchildren. Thanks for the inspiration.
    By the way can you buy those grid sheets or even download them from somewhere?

    Thanks once again.

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    Replies
    1. There are lots of downloadable versions online. Here's one:

      "http://www.momsminivan.com/battleship.html"

      We just tend to draw our own!

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  17. Jill its awesome and have seen first time folder with fabric stuff :) you did great job & this tutorial so easy to follow for those who wanna create their own folder with fabric stuff.

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  18. Wonderful tutorial and such a GREAT idea! I'm always looking for something light my Boy Scouts can backpack with that's entertaining before lights out. Thank you for this!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Amy! Hope your Boy Scouts enjoy them!

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  19. Thanks for putting this on FB today, Jill. Pinning and will teach the kids.

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    Replies
    1. No worries Pam - I still enjoy playing this one myself!

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