Bean bags

[swirlyarts]

Has anyone ever made one and is there anything I need to be aware of before I start sewing? I'm going to triple reinforce the seams so that too much bouncing doesn't split it but can you think of anything else?
Thanks

[Caz]

I made a few bean bags a couple of years ago and I used lining fabric to hold the beans & stitched that closed. Then I made the outer cover and finished it off with a large velcro strip on one seam, at the bottom,to enable the top cover to come off easily for washing...

HTH
Caz x

[swirlyarts]

Fab and it would mean that I don't have to faff with zips!

[luckytiff02]

I have also home made beanbags filled with rice... I love it, but somethings theres a moist.

[FireHorseTextiles]

If you intend to post them abroad, you may need to watch out for the filling. Some plant materials can only be sent within the EU (I found this out with lavender-filled bags), so beans or rice might be tricky.

I recently bought some 'Poly-pellets' made by a company called Poly-fil (they have a website at poly-fil.com) (I got mine from a Fun2Do craft shop), which might be suitable. Quite expensive, though. I think they are aimed at dollmakers.

[swirlyarts]

It's purely for the girls to sit on while they watch tv although if they don't clear up this mess (http://swirlyarts.blogspot.com/2008/03/it-runs-in-families.html) then they will never watch tv again!!! LOL!
I've got some of those polystyrene ball things to go in it - I'll let you know how it goes when I get round to making it......

[wyattbean]

When you do come round to fill it with the polystyrene balls, no matter how carefully...............they get everywhere!
Sue:)

[luckytiff02]

I made two bean bag chairs and put round beads that I bought from Wallmart. Not bouncy but a little bit heavy.:playball:

[Pebbles]

Double layers are the way to go, cheap fabric as a bag for the beans and some lovely fabric (washable) for the cover.

I made one for my lovely dog, she ripped a hole in it and got beans everywhere, she also loves to roll in things so a washable cover would have been useful - although I am hoping your children are not a smelly as my dog after rolling in dead crow! LOL

[ickle pickle]

I agree I think triple stitched is the way to go with kids jumping all over them LOL. Dunelm Mill sell bags of poly beans for beans bags. I also agree with the other posters that said you should make a fully sealed cover for the bean bag and then a nice removable outer cover. If you buy some oilcloth you could also make a cover for outdoors for them. :)

[silvermaid]

A funnel sticky taped to the opening in the lining helps prevent too many spilling out when you're filling them.
If you are filling with 'organic' stuff whole wheat is better than rice as it doesn't absorb moisture as much.
Melanie