Updated on September 9, 2024
How to Sew Bean Bags. This is an easy sewing tutorial on how to sew bean bags for your party games.
I will just go ahead and christen this “Lego Batman Week” on the good ol’ blog here. I made the invitations and mailed them out. Now, on to the fun and games!
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I found some amazingly awesome comic-themed fabric at Jo Ann’s when I got stuff for the party today.
Is this perfect, or what?
I knew I had to figure out how to use it. But at $9.99/yard, I couldn’t use a lot of it, so I decided it would be perfect to make some bean bags.
Let me preface this by saying I am no seamstress. I can sew, but I don’t know if I do it the “right” way.
I am self-taught. I just do what works and makes sense to me. So, if you have a better way to do this, by all means, use your sewing skills to your advantage.
Supplies:
- Fabric {1/8 yard}
- Sewing Machine and Coordinating Thread
- Beans (small, roundish varieties work best)
Cut Fabric Squares
Cut the fabric into squares.
I used fabric that was 44″ wide. I cut five 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!
Sew Pouches
Place your fabric squares right sides together.
Sew a straight stitch around three sides of the square. I used a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Note: I tried a 1/2″ allowance on the first one I made, and it made the bean bag too small.
When I reach the end of one side, I lift the presser foot, pull the thread a little bit, turn my fabric, and continue sewing. When you trim it up, all the threads will be cut off.
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, which works just as well. I used pinking shears, but you can cut it with regular scissors.
Turn the square right side out.
Fill With Beans
Fill the bag with beans. I used a little more than 1/4 cup of beans for each bag.
I used black-eyed peas because they were what I had on hand and the right size and shape. Any small round-ish bean will work.
Larger beans, such as kidney beans, would only work if you made a bigger bean bag.
Sew Bean Bag Closed
Fold over your top fabric by folding it towards the inside. Again, here, I eyeball it. I ensure enough is down into the opening so that it does not come undone when I sew.
This next part was learned by trial and error. I sort of pushed the beans down towards the bottom and then placed pins at the very edge of where the beans were.
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 time, and I needed these sturdy. I felt the sewing machine would do a better job.
Stitch the top of the bag closed.
The best part about this project was that it was cheap and easy.
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. If you are inclined, you can read all about how ManBat changes from a bat to a human.
I will post pictures of the game itself once I complete it! And now all I can think is, “Holy projects, Batman!”
But at least this one is done!
Rachel (Lines across my face) says
Thanks for the tutorial. These turned out very cute, and I really love the fabric/idea. I would love it if you would stop by and share at the crafty link party going on right now at Lines Across My Face.
I hope to see you soon,
Rachel
https://linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com/2011/10/cure-for-common-monday-12.html