DIY Bean Bags

 

Here's a quick tutorial on how to make bean bags.  Great for using up scraps.

1)  Cut out 4.5 x 4.5 inch squares.  Twice as many squares as you want bean bags.  Like so:

2)  For each bean bag, stack two squares of fabric together.  The right sides of the fabric squares should be on the inside - kissing each other :o).  Like a fabric sandwich.

3)  Set your machine stitch length to something closer to 2.

4)  Sew around the edges of each square with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  Leave a hole open about an inch wide on one side (don't forget to backstitch at the start and finish of the seam).  Then trim the corners, like so:

5)  Turn the bag right side out through the little whole in the seam:

6)  If you have one of these thingies, they work great to turn the corners:

7)  Next, pull out the beans.  Can you believe I found some from 1998?!!!  I used black beans, but I'd recommend a lighter/smaller type of bean, if ya have it.

8)  Fill up your bag!  I used a makeshift paper funnel to keep those pesky beans in order.  If you want the bag to be on the floppier side, use fewer beans. (Sorry, I'm just too lazy to flip and reload this pic.  Satellite internet is TORTURE :o)

9)  Now, it's time to sew up that hole.  You have a couple of options.  You can hand sew it shut with a beautiful invisible blind stitch of some sort....oooooorrrr.....you can do what I did and plop that sucker on the machine.  (I have a rule that life is just too short to be a perfectionist!)  I sewed an 1/8" seam along the side with the hole in it.  Word to the wise, pin your hole shut before you turn the bag sideways.  The beans have a slight tendency to fall all over the place!

10)  Stack em' up and take a picture.  You are done!