How To Make Durable Beanbags

 

 

Use fabric that feels good to the touch, won’t look too dirty after awhile, and is durable, eg.  fine-waled corduroy,  or denim the weight of pillow ticking.

 

Pinking shears cut seams that won’t ravel.  You only want to make them once so do it well.  The size should be about the palm of an adult hand and a rectangle.  I start with 3 ¼ x 4 ¼ and after the seams, the beanbag ends up being roughly 3 x 4.  After stuffing it, it seems even a bit smaller.  Experiment with your own preferences.

 

Sew them once on the wrong side leaving an opening for the bean stuffing.

Then turn them to the right side and top-stitch for extra durability.

 

You can fill them with beans.  I use popcorn which gives them a good feel.  Don’t overfill.  Then stitch the opening a couple of times.

 

Things to understand about beanbags at school:

 

1.     They get tossed and stepped on and squished and sometimes hit the ceiling.  They get a workout!

2.     Mice can be a problem with beans or popcorn filling,  so….. either store them in a plastic bin with a lid or find plastic beads to fill them.  Always take them home during the summer for safe keeping.

 

The last batch I made for a class lasted for 7 years.  I had to retire them when they began to have a musty smell but, think, 7 years!!!!  Hundreds of kids used that set of beanbags.