If you want new bean bags, then making them at home is a fun and simple task. They don’t take very long to make, and you don’t really need any specific skills to be able to make them. All you will need is time, patience, and a list of other tools and materials.
These tools include:
- Ruler
- Measuring Cup
- Scissors
- Cutting Mat
- Rotary Cutter
- Straight Pins
- Sewing Machine
These materials include:
- Muslin
- Fabric
- Thread (to match the fabric)
- Dried Beans
Once you have gathered all of this, then you are ready to get started. The first thing you will need to do is cut both the fabric, and the muslin, into two squares so that you are left with 4 pieces of fabric.
The fabric squares should measure 4.5-inches, and the muslin squares should measure 4 inches.
After you have cut them, you should then begin sewing. Pin the squares so that the two fabric squares are aligned, and the two muslin squares are aligned.
You should then add your thread to the sewing machine and begin sewing them together, but ensure that you leave one side of the square open.
You should then fill the muslin square with the dried beans before sewing the final edge shut. After that is done, insert the filled muslin into the fabric square.
Ensure that the muslin is as flat as possible inside the fabric square, then sew the final edge shut. Once this is done you will have a completely finished homemade bean bag.
Can I use rice in a bean bag?
Yes, you can use rice in a bean bag. Although their name might suggest that they are always filled with beans, this isn’t the case. In fact, in a lot of cases, bean bags will be stuffed with something other than beans.
Most of the time, this is rice. However, there are lots of other things that you can use in a bean bag as well as rice, including sand, feed corn, dried lavender, and beads. But one of the easiest alternatives to beans is rice.
However, if you choose to use rice in your homemade bean bag, instead of beans, you will need to alter the measurements slightly. Rice is much smaller than beans, so you will need a lot more rice to fill the beanbag compared to if you were filling it with beans.
Most homemade bean bag recipes do not give you exact measurements for the amount of beans/rice you will need to add to the bag. But you will generally need to fill it until it is ¾ full. So bear this in mind when gathering your materials if you are using rice instead of beans.
So, yes, you can use rice in a bean bag. But if you make this decision, it is very important to ensure that you have enough rice to fill the bag. This is because you will need considerably more rice than beans to do the job successfully,
How do you make bean bags without sewing?
If you are not a confident sewer then there’s no need to worry because you can make bean bags without even needing to sew a thing. So, if you don’t fancy sewing, you can easily make bean bags by using fabric fuse.
This is a handy alternative as it effectively works at tape, so you do not need any skills to be able to use it effectively. So let’s take a look at how you can swap out sewing for using fabric fuse.
You should begin by cutting your fabric and muslin squares in the same way that you would if you were preparing to sew. But instead of picking up your needle and thread, you should take your scissors and cut the fabric fuse to a size that will fit each side of the muslin, and the fabric.
Once this is done, you should peel one side of the fuse and stick it to one side of the muslin. Then repeat for the outer fabric.
Once this is done, peel the other side of the fabric fuse and stick the two muslin squares together, then repeat for the fabric. Ensure that you leave one side open so that you can insert your beans.
When they have stuck together, fill the muslin square with the beans, and then peel the last piece of fabric fuse to seal it shut.
Once this is done, insert the muslin square into the fabric square, then peel the last piece of fabric fuse and seal this shut. When this is done, your bean bag will be finished.
What fabric is used for bean bags?
There are lots of different fabrics that you can use for bean bags, but most commonly they are produced using synthetic materials. In particular, polyester and nylon are popular choices to make bean bags with.
This is because synthetic fabrics are generally tougher than natural fabrics, so they will be able to withstand wear and tear with more ease. However, if you are planning on solely using your bean bags indoors, then you do not necessarily need to use a synthetic fabric.
Synthetic fabrics are mainly used for bean bags that you plan on using outdoors. Bean bags that are used outdoors will need to be able to handle bad weather conditions without breaking, which is why synthetic is best.
But, as we have said, natural fabrics are perfectly good for making bean bags that will only be used inside. So it is also possible to use fabric made with linen or cotton to make your own bean bags.
So, a lot of manufacturers choose to use synthetic fabric, such as polyester, to make bean bags. But if you are making your own at home, it is also perfectly fine to use natural materials to build bean bags.
However, if you do use natural fabric, you should only use your bean bags inside as they will be at risk of damage when exposed to the weather.
