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I was thinking about getting a cheap cover for wargaming on. I don't have a permanent dedicated table set up and so was looking for something that could be spread over the family dinner table and then rolled up again. I was wondering what people could suggest, I was thinking of plain green felt but didn't know whether one blend (eg acrylic etc) was better than another. Appreciate any suggestions.

Burlap is also good, but if you have a game with units of individually based miniatures (even on a sabot) it can be snaggy.

Felt is good, but it can wear funny (felt is inelastic as a fabric, and like an aluminum car-body, if it gets stretched, it leaves a "dent' or "warp" in the fabric).

I know there are some companies that made basic table game mats, which are a woven fabric that has a simple printed grassland, or other such "terrain" print on it.

But as far as price goes, you can't beat going to the fabric store and buying three yards of 48" felt.

MB

Aside from stretching, felt also tends to "pill" and snag rather easily. Printed cloth or vinyl wears better, while still rolling up neatly, but lacks any real textural dimension. Flocked mats tend to look the best of the bunch, IMO, but can also be prone to shedding that flock, over time.

Woodland Scenics makes large grass mats for railroad layouts that aren't terribly expensive. They're designed so that you can scrape areas clear of flock to add roads and water features, so a bit of additional sealing might be necessary to keep them from shedding under the rigors of wargaming, but I think they're worth a look, at least. I picked up a large one (will cover a 4'x8' table, IIRC, or a 4'x6' with some leftovers for scatter terrain) for... don't quite recall, but I think it was less than $30 - might have even been closer to $20.

Do you have a military surplus store nearby? A nice green wool surplus army blanket is a great option that looks a bit grassy and will be very sturdy.. I've got one that's about 4x7 that I use for a variety of gaming tables.

Do you want it to be nice or cheap?

as well is the family table 4x6 and will you be expecting to be relatively full sized games of fantasy?

You may need some cheap board to increase your table size for a normal game.

Felt is kinda cheap but if you REALLY want to get cheap, a canvas cover for painting and some spray painted or airbrushed land detail isnt bad.

Or my current favorite
Grass Print Flannel-Backed Vinyl Table Cover


is pretty cheap for under 10 bucks.

Where is that table cover from? Link please!

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/10894894939948415497?q=Grass+Print+Flannel-Backed+Vinyl+Table+Cover&biw=1920&bih=979&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.91665533,d.eXY&tch=1&ech=1&psi=qBVAVdOGFMSMNqqggZAN.1430263210971.3&prds=paur:ClkAsKraX3PPAuoTeRRVQLbZyUEhaBnESgfb_rbqd6PG1e61io5uwuW78CnZ8PyoeXoocx5NQvUPRmTVrvQS5qQU-Vzn01fHU-sRWfJcvgyW8poRjbwPZ56UiBIZAFPVH71fa1Ak-af8dBQZl27LcksORf40ag&ei=rRVAVYDWN8W-ggSkjYHoDg&ved=0CEQQpiswAA

Its not the best looking table up close since its just vinyl with no texture but its nice and drink proof.

Thanks for that. I might pick one up just to have another shade of green to work with.