How to: Sew Bean Bags

Cut your fabric squares. I used fabric that was 44″ wide. I was able to cut 5 sets {2 squares each} of 4″ squares. You can make whatever size you want. {Mine are for a five year old boy. He doesn’t need anything bigger than this to arm himself with!}

 

Place your fabric squares right sides together. Sew a straight stitch around three sides of the square. I used a 1/4″ seam allowance. {I tried a 1/2″ allowance on the first one I made and it really made the bean bag too small.}

 

When I reach the end of one side, I simply lift the presser foot, pull the thread a little bit, and then just turn my fabric and continue sewing. All the threads will be cut off when you trim it up.

Cut the corners on a diagonal. This reduces bulk when you turn the fabric right side out.

 

Trim the excess fabric next to your stitching. You could iron the seams flat, but I am lazy and this works just as well. I used pinking shears, but you can just cut it with regular scissors as well.

 

Turn the square right side out.

 

Fill bag with beans. I used a little more than 1/4 cup of beans for each bean bag.

 

I used black eyed peas because it is what I had on hand and they were the right size and shape. Any small round-ish bean will work. Larger beans, such as kidney beans, would only work if you were making a larger bean bag.

 

Fold over your top fabric by folding the fabric towards the inside. Again, here I just eyeball it. I just make sure enough is down into the opening so that when I sew, it does not come undone.

 

 

{This next part was learned by trial and error. Trust me when I say you will want to do this.} I ended up sort of pushing the beans down towards the bottom and then placing pins at the very edge of where the beans are. This helps to keep them from falling out all over the place while you are trying to sew.

 

You could also hand stitch the bean bag closed, but I didn’t want to spend that kind of time and I needed these to be sturdy. I felt the sewing machine would do a better job.

Step Eight:
Stitch the top of the bag closed.

 

 

 

 

Best part about this project: It was cheap and easy. {Oops. That sounded kind of dirty!}

Cost of materials:

• 1/8 yard of super cool action word fabric – $1.25
• Bag of blackeye peas – $1.25
• Coordinating thread – on hand

TOTAL – $2.50 + hours and hours of fun = priceless

My plan for our bean bag toss game: Help Batman knock out the bat serum from Man Bat’s hand/wing by throwing bean bags at him. You can read all about how Man Bat changes from a bat to a human here if you are so inclined.

I will post pictures of the game itself once I get it completed!

 

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