How to Make Beanbag Chairs

Have you ever sat in a beanbag chair? They may be ugly, but they are very comfortable. You have two options in acquiring one. There are kits that you can purchase that have everything you need to whip up a beanbag chair. Or, you can buy all of the materials and create one to your own liking. Read on to learn how to make a beanbag chair.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Outer material
• Measuring tape
• Craft pencil
• Good pair of craft scissors
• Needle
• Sturdy thread
• Zipper
• Filler material

Choosing the Materials

1. Decide what kind of material you will use for the outside of the chair. This is the material that you will sit on, so you want it to be soft and pleasant to the touch. However, you don’t want it to be too soft or flimsy; otherwise your chair won’t last long, or be able to support much weight. A good material to use would be something like corduroy, denim, thick cotton or leather.

2. Choose the type of filling you want. You want something on the inside that will be stiff, yet comfortable to sit on. Some good choices might be kidney beans, packing peanuts or polystyrene pellets.

3. Purchase the materials listed above.

Creating the Bean Bag Chair

4. Create a template out of the material you chose for the outside of the chair. The easiest way to do this is to measure out a triangle, which is equal length on all of the sides. Mark it with your craft pencil so that you have a guide to cut the material.

5. Cut out your material out of the template you just made. Try not to sway from your markings, otherwise it could really complicate sewing.

6. Sew the edges of the triangle together. You want to sew all but one of them together, and the one you have left should leave you with a little slit. This is where you will sew your zipper. It’s always a good idea to go back and double stitch all of these, so that the beanbag chair won’t bust open when you’re sitting on it.

7. Attach the zipper. You can turn the bag that you have created inside-out, and sew the zipper on around the slit that you left open. This also, should be double-stitched for added strength.

8. Fill up the chair. It can help if you make a little funnel out of the leftover cloth, this way you won’t make a big mess when filling. Make sure you don’t fill it up until it’s stiff, you want to leave a little bit of room so that the chair is comfortable.

9. Zip it up. Your new beanbag chair is finished.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy material that isn’t too ugly, as you will have to look at this as well as sit on it.