How to Make a Bean Bag

Guide Note *If you want to play catch with your kids without endangering the items in your home, create a few bean bags to make indoor games safe and fun. Our guide, How to Make a Bean Bag, will walk you through the process from material selection to the final stitch.

Table of Contents

Bean Bag Sewing Tips

  1. Find fabric scraps in heavy, durable weights to withstand hours of play.
  2. Choose dried beans, plastic beads or pellets to fill the bean bag.
  3. Gather tools like scissors, fabric markers and a needle and thread to create the bags.
  4. Cut two identical fabric shapes and pin them front to front.
  5. Sew the pieces together, leaving two inches open on one side to fill the bean bag.
  6. Turn the bag right side out and fill it with beans or beads.
  7. Tuck the open ends inside and stitch the bean bag shut.

Introduction

  • Whether you're teaching your child how to catch or simply want to play a tossing game indoors, bean bags make a safe alternative to hard rubber or plastic balls. Save money by learning how to design your own with simple sewing techniques, scraps of fabric and tools you probably have on hand.

Step 1: Gather Tools and Materials

Fabric

  1. Find durable fabric like denim that can withstand tossing and other rough play.
  2. Create softer bean bags by using fabric like corduroy or thick flannel.
  3. Choose open-weave fabrics like burlap to make the bean bags easier to hand stitch, but ensure that the weave is tight enough to hold the filling in if you're using tiny plastic pellets.
  4. Use fabric scraps that you've already got or consider recycling old garments to create the bean bags. Turn a tattered pair of jeans into several of the toys, for example.

Filling

  1. You can use non-bean synthetic materials to fill your beanbags. (Creative Commons photo by gentleman rook)
    You can use non-bean synthetic materials to fill your beanbags. (Creative Commons photo by gentleman rook)
    Fill the bean bag with loose items like dried beans from the supermarket, pony beads or plastic pellets.4 5
  2. Create a lighter bean bag by filling the fabric pouch with a combination of pillow stuffing or cotton balls and beans.
  3. Consider adding small bells to the bean bag so the kids can also use it as a musical instrument.6

Tools

  1. Use a fabric marker and ruler to draw straight cutting lines.
  2. Consider using stencils, cookie cutters, cups or small bowls to create circles or other simple shapes.7
  3. Find sharp scissors to cut the fabric. If you're going to sew the bean bag so the stitching appears on the outside, consider using pinking shears so the fabric edges won't fray.8
  4. Opt for a sewing machine or a needle and thread to sew the bean bag. Even if you machine stitch, you'll still need to use a needle and thread to stitch the bean bag shut once filled.
  5. Consider using fabric glue to join the pieces as an alterative to sewing.9

Step 2: Draw, Cut and Stitch the Shape

Draw

  • Design your bean bag in a size that's easy for your child to catch and throw. Choose a simple shape that will also be easy for you to cut, fill and sew.
  1. Draw or trace your bean bag shape onto the wrong side of the fabric with a fabric marker or chalk.10
  2. Use a ruler to create a perfect square.
  3. Trace a saucer or simple cookie cutter to create other basic shapes.

Cut

  1. Remember the adage, 'Measure twice, cut once' when cutting your fabric down to size. (Creative Commons photo by rmkoske)
    Remember the adage, 'Measure twice, cut once' when cutting your fabric down to size. (Creative Commons photo by rmkoske)
    Use scissors to cut out two identical shapes.11 You can:
    • -Trace and cut the shape twice.
    • -Fold a larger piece of fabric in two before cutting out the shape.
    • -Stack two separate pieces of fabric to cut at the same time.
  2. Place the two pieces of fabric front to front.
  3. Pin the pieces together to keep them from shifting as you sew.12

Stitch

  1. Use a sewing machine to sew along each side, about a quarter to a half inch in from the edge.13
  2. Leave about two inches open on one side where you'll add the beans.
  3. If you prefer to hand stitch, use a back stitch for added strength.14
  • Note: If you prefer not to sew the bean bag, consider using fabric glue to seal the sides shut.15 This method may not withstand rough play, however, and you may need to refill and repair the bean bag often. Be sure to let the adhesive dry completely before moving on to fill the bean bag.

Step 3: Fill and Finish the Bean Bag

  • Choose a filling to give your bean bag the desired weight. Once it's filled, you're just a few simple stitches away from letting your kids play with their new toy.

Fill

  1. The closing stitches need to hold your beanbag together and look attractive. (Creative Commons photo by rmkoske)
    The closing stitches need to hold your beanbag together and look attractive. (Creative Commons photo by rmkoske)
    Turn the bean bag so the fabric is right side out.
  2. Push a pencil into the corners if you want the shape to look crisp.16
  3. Pour the beans or beads into the bean bag.
    • -Use a small funnel to add the beans if the opening is small.
    • -Try not to overfill the bag since that will make it too difficult to sew shut.

Finish

  1. Tuck the open edges of the fabric into the bean bag.
  2. Use a needle and thread to stitch the bean bag shut.
  3. Seal the opening with fusible web tape if you'd rather not hand stitch it shut.17 18
  4. Ensure you've closed the bean bag completely and periodically inspect it for holes. If any of the beans or beads fall out, they can pose a choking hazard for younger children.

Conclusion

  • Now that you know how easy it is to craft your own bean bags, create a slew of them in different sizes, shapes, textures and colors. In addition to using them to practice basic physical fitness skills, use the bean bags to play assorted games or teach younger children how to count, identify colors and do simple addition and subtraction.19 20

References for How To Make a Bean Bag

  1. ↑ Michaels: Store Locator
  2. ↑ Hancock Fabrics: Store Locator
  3. ↑ Clotilde: Fabric, Sewing Tools and Notions
  4. ↑ Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft: Pony Beads
  5. ↑ CR's Crafts: Plastic Stuffing Beads
  6. ↑ Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft: Metal Bells
  7. ↑ MisterArt.com: Fabric Marking Pen
  8. ↑ ShopScissors.com: Pinking Shears
  9. ↑ Hancock Fabrics: Fabric Glue
  10. ↑ Quilting 101: How to Mark Fabric
  11. ↑ Threads: How to Cut Fabric
  12. ↑ Sew a Quilt: How to Pin Fabric
  13. ↑ MonkeySee: Basic Sewing Machine Stitches(Time: 6:37)
  14. ↑ Alternative Windows: How to Sew a Back Stitch
  15. ↑ Spazztic Crafts: Fabric Gluing Tips
  16. ↑ About.com: Tricks to Sewing Corners WARNING: Pop-ups
  17. ↑ You Tube: How to Use Fusing Tape(Time: 1:48)
  18. ↑ Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft: Fusible Web Tape
  19. ↑ WorkNotes: Bean Bag Activities
  20. ↑ Activity Village: Bean Bag Games


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