Close-Up Pad substitutes?

lolhammertime · May 5, 2016

Hello!

I can't really afford a close-up mat right now, but I need a soft surface to practice magic, ribbon spreads, tabled flourishes, etc...

Any ideas on a cheap alternative?

And no, I don't have a carpet in my house.

Tower of Lunatic Meat · May 5, 2016

Try looking up playmats used in games like Magic:the Gathering, Yugioh, etc.

Justin.Morris · May 5, 2016

Just a table cloth really. If you want it softer, add a kitchen towel underneath (experimenting with thickness).

I made a large homemade one. I had a large piece of black velvet/velour fabric (but that would be pretty cheap to pick up I'm sure). I then went to a vehicle upholstery shop and asked for a scrap piece of foam liner (what they use under the fabric headliner in car roof interior). They let me take a piece for free. Now I have a huge closeup mat that was free!

lolhammertime · May 5, 2016

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I'll try these and see which works best for me.

Gabriel Z. · May 5, 2016

One more, I used to use a green towel when I first started.

James Kard · May 5, 2016

I am glad I found this thread, this is something I have been wondering about.

Josh Burch · May 5, 2016

Best place to practice for me while I was learning was the foot of the bed.

obrienmagic · May 5, 2016

Anything with a soft smooth surface will work. I usually don't take my pad with me so I practice on a chair or the couch most of the time haha

lolhammertime · May 5, 2016

obrienmagic said:
Anything with a soft smooth surface will work. I usually don't take my pad with me so I practice on a chair or the couch most of the time haha

I used to practice on my computer chair but I had to kneel down while practicing so it was quite uncomfortable.