This is the perfect project for a beginner sewist! It was my very first project as a kid. I made some recently for a teacher friend and thought it would be an awesome teacher's gift! These bean bags are washable, and so fun to play with!
The Materials:
Fabric (higher quality = longer lasting!) One Fat Quarter (18"x20") will make 6 bean bags
Sewing Machine + Thread for machine sewing (definitely can be done by hand, too!)
Your choice of stuffing - I used Poly Pellets which I bought from Amazon, but you can also use beans, rice, popping corn, etc.
The Process:
Use scissors or rotary cutter (easiest) to cut 4 1/2 inch squares. You will need 2 squares for 1 bean bag finished. For 6 bean bags, cut 12 squares.
Carefully place right sides together and use a pin to keep intact.
If using a sewing machine, engage the "needle down" button and sew along the edge, using a 1/4" seam allowance. Stop and pivot at the corners. Be sure to leave at least 2 inches to turn it right side out!
Remember to sew with right sides together!
Clip the corners for a clean, sharp corner.
Flip the bean bag right side out and give it a quick press with an iron to make sure it lays flat. This will help it look clean and perfect.
Top stitch about 1/8" around the edge, still leaving that 2" hole open!
(Note: make sure to top-stitch before filling the bean bag or you will think you've gone crazy when you try to top-stitch after. Trust me.)
After you've top-stitched like a pro, fill the bag with your choice of filling! To make it washable, I filled mine with poly pellets. I measured 1/3 cup and filled it using a spoon, but a funnel would be MUCH easier!!
The last step is to sew the opening closed. Make sure you back-stitch at the beginning and end to make sure everything stays in place. Snip hanging threads and that's it!
To see my post on 3 ways to use these bean bags as a learning tool, click here.
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