On-The-Go Tic Tac Toe Game

I’ve seen several versions of the classic tic tac toe game floating around out there, so this is by no means my own genius idea, LOL.  But I did whip up a simple little game board and pieces over the weekend, and I wanted to show you how I put it together!  It was a great one-hour project for me that was a nice break from jewelry and baking. ;)

What you will need:

• Mod Podge & a paintbrush
• Scrapbook Paper
• Glass tiles or floral pebbles
• Scrap fabric, ribbon and coordinating thread, OR a pre-made drawstring pouch and some iron-on vinyl or fabric paint

I worked on my tiles first so that they could dry while I sewed.  I was using 1 inch clear square tiles from my stash, but those flat-bottomed floral pebbles would also work fine (and you can find those at the dollar store).  If you use two different colors – you could also skip the Mod Podge altogether to simplify.  But, I tend to say… um, why in the WORLD would I skip the Mod Podge?? LOL!

Anyway, just find 2 colors of paper, trim them to the size of your tile or pebble, and Mod Podge them on.  Set them aside to dry.  Optionally, you can finish them with a layer of Dimensional Magic glaze to really secure it and to make the bottoms look more “finished”.

Now, on to the game board/storage pouch.  With 1 inch tiles, I knew some 5 inch fabric squares would be an ideal size.  You can also trim your own – if you do, you will probably want to cut your “squares” to 5 inches x 6 inches to give you more sewing room for your drawstring.

I still consider myself a basic or beginning sewist, and this is an easy little project to do.  This part took me about 15 minutes.   However, if you are a total beginner or don’t sew at all – buying an inexpensive pre-made drawstring pouch (check the dollar store or any craft store) is probably WELL worth the time you will save making one.  I didn’t feel like running out for one, and I managed to sew a pouch just fine – but you may find that using fabric paint or some iron-on vinyl on a pre-made pouch is a lot faster for you, so do what works for you!!

On the underside of one of your squares, mark off grid lines in pencil or disappearing marker for your game board.  My center square was about 1-1/4 inches.

I loaded my sewing machine with a bright coordinating color thread.  I wanted blue but I didn’t HAVE blue… so I used pink.  I think it works.  Set your machine to a narrow zigzag stitch on the shortest stitch your machine allows.  Sew along the lines you drew, creating your game grid in thread.

Next, with the right sides facing each other, I sewed along 3 edges of my square.  Leave a small gap at the open end, because you will be folding those sides down to create your drawstring.  Next, I sewed little flaps down to secure the edges for the drawstring portion.  It would have worked better if I had sewed them BEFORE stitching around the edge, but I made it work.

Next, fold your drawstring area down, and press it with an iron.  Additionally, you can pin it to secure it, but for such a small area, I thought that would be overkill.  Now, making sure NOT to sew both sides of the pouch together, sew a hem big enough to allow for your ribbon to be threaded through.  Make sure that once you get to your notched ends, you have a gap that will allow you to add your ribbon.

Once that is done, just add your ribbon!  I found it easiest to thread mine onto a large, blunt-tipped tapestry needle, and string it that way.  When you get it into your pouch, make sure the pouch is stretched all the way open, and knot your two ribbons together so that they can’t later slip out of your pouch.

Finally, turn your pouch right-side out and iron it flat.  I decided here to top-stitch the three closed sides, for one to help the pouch lie flat for game play, but also to help the whole thing look more square.

Now, it’s ready for play!

And when your game is over, the pieces just pop inside and you can cinch your bag shut for portability.  Given that I had all the supplies on-hand that I needed to make this, it cost me nothing (though if you had to buy some or even all of your supplies, you could probably make it on a budget of $5 or less, with items from the dollar store!)

I was thinking I might bring it for my young cousin when I see him this weekend at our family gathering… which was why I was hoping for blue thread.  Hopefully he won’t mind a little pink mixed in, haha!