Make Your Own Bean Bag Chairs!
For lounging in front of the television or curling up to read a book, use this comfortable beanbag chair. Although the name implies that the bag is filled with beans, it is actually filled with polystyrene pellets, making the chair lightweight and moldable. Beanbag chairs can be made in either a child size or an adult size.
For added durability, the beanbag chair consists of a muslin inner lining, which holds the pellets, and an outer cover. The inner lining is zippered for convenience in filling the bag. The outer cover is also zippered, making it easy to remove for laundering or dry cleaning. For the outer cover, select a medium weight fabric, such as wide-wale corduroy, denim, canvas, or upholstery fabric
Cutting Directions
For the adult-size beanbag chair, make the pattern for the side pieces as in step 1 below; cut six side pieces from fabric and six side pieces from the lining. For the top of the chair, cut one circle each from the fabric and the lining, with the radius equal to 5-1/2″ (14 cm). For the bottom of the chair, make the pattern as in steps 2 and 3 below; cut two pieces each from the fabric and the lining.
For the child-size chair, make the pattern for the side pieces as in step 1 below; cut six side pieces from fabric and six side pieces from. For the top of the chair, cut one circle each from the fabric and the lining with the radius equal to 4-1/2″ (11.5 cm). For the button of the chair, make the pattern as in steps 2 and 3 below: cut two pieces each from the fabric and the lining.
Click Here for a Printable Pattern
You will need
For adult-size chair
- 5 yards (4.6 m) medium weight to heavyweight fabric, 45″ to 48″ (115 to 122 cm wide
- OR 3-1/2 yards (3.2 m) of 54″ to 60″ (137 to 152.5 cm) fabric
- Muslin, for inner lining, yardage same as for outer cover
- Zipper, 22″ (56 cm) long
- Polystyrene pellets, approximately 6 cu. Ft. (1.85 cu. m)
- Click here for a source of filler material
- Other suggested filler to use would be packing peanuts. Use the ones that DO NOT dissolve with water
- 1″ (2.5 cm) grid, such as cutting mat or graph paper
For child-size chair
- 3 yards (2.75 m) medium weight to heavyweight fabric, 45″ to 48″ (115 to 122 cm) wide.
- OR 2-1/2 yards (2.3 m) of 54″ to 60″ (37 to 152.5 cm) fabric
- Muslin, for inner lining, yardage same as for outer cover
- Zipper, 18″ (46 cm) long
- Polystyrene pellets, approximately 4 cu. ft. (1.27 cu. m)
- Click here for a source of filler material
- 1″ (2.5 cm) grid, such as cutting mat or graph paper
How to Sew a Bean Bag Chair
1) Place tracing paper over a 1″ (2.5 cm) grid. Make a full-size pattern for sides of the chair, using the diagram (see diagram) as a guide. Cut side pieces from fabric and lining.
2) Fold paper in half; make a mark at center of fold. Using straightedge and pencil, mark arc on paper measuring 10″ (25.5 cm) from the marked point for child-size chair or 12″ (30.5 cm) from marked point for adult-size chair. Cut on marked line.
3) Unfold paper; mark a line 1/2″ (1.3 cm) from fold. Cut on marked line, and discard smallest piece of circle; remainder of circle is pattern for bottom of chair. Cut chair bottom pieces from fabric and lining (see above).
4) Pin chair bottom pieces together along straight edges. Machine-baste a 1/2″ (1.3 cm) seam; using a regular stitch length, stitch at the ends of seam for 1″ (2.5 cm). Press seam open.
5) Center zipper right side down over seam allowances, with zipper teeth on seamline. Glue-baste in place, using glue stick. Stitch down each side of zipper tape ¼” (6 mm) from zipper teeth.
6) Stitch long edges of side pieces, right sides together, in 1/2″ (1.3 cm) seam; leave last seam unstitched. Press seam allowances to one side, pressing all in same direction.
7) Topstitch 3/8″ (1 cm) from seams. Stitch remaining seam; press seam allowances to one side, and topstitch
8) Stay stitch upper edge of bag a scant 1/2″ (1.3 cm) from edge. from raw edge, clip seam allowance at 1/2″ (1.3 cm) intervals.
9) Divide the outer edge of top circle into six parts; mark. Pin the upper edge of bag to top circle, right sides together, matching seams of sides to marks on circle. Stitch 1/2″ (1.3 cm) seam.
10) Press seam allowances toward the bag sides; topstitch 3/8″
(1 cm) from the seam. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for the bag bottom, leaving zipper partially opened
11) Turn bag right side out through the zipper opening. Press the bottom seam allowances toward bag sides; topstitch 3/8″
(1 cm) from seam.
12) Repeat steps 4 to 11 for inner lining. Insert the lining into outer cover; fill the bag with polystyrene pellets. Close zippers.
Another Idea- you don’t have to purchase filler, you can use stuffed animals too!!
Just Buy One
Source: From the Singer Reference Library- Quick & Easy Decorating Projects
Quick & Easy Decorating Projects
