How to Make a Beanbag Chair

We all know how comfortable beanbag chairs are, with it also looking amazingly awesome in a living area or playroom! It’s the perfect addition to any family room, as you can simply plop down and enjoy sinking into a huge, comfortable cushion after a whole day of work.

And I’m sure it’s popped into your mind before: How do people make these kinds of chairs? You’ll be surprised to know that you can actually make your own beanbag chair. As someone with a good design like Cozy Sack, I wanted to do something on my own and started with a beanbag chair to add to my living area. And it was actually successful! If you want to learn how to do it, then read on.

How to Make a Beanbag Chair

Wondering how to make a beanbag chair but don’t know where to start? Let’s first look into what you need:

• Six yards of 60-inch wide fabric
• Six yards of 60-inch heavier and comfortable fabric
• One 48-inch zipper for enclosure
• 30-pounds of foam filler of your choice
• Fabric scissors
• Thread
• Sewing machine

Once you have the materials ready, here are the steps to follow!

1. Cut Your Patterns

To start things off, you need to cut two circles which have a circumference of 170-inches, which will be used for both the insert and cover. Measure the circumference through cutting a string that’s 40-inches long, then tying that to the end of a pen, using it as a pivot point. The string should measure 27- inches from end to end. Then find the center of your fabric, making the circle.

Then, cut out two rectangular pieces that measure 87×30 inches, using a tape measure. Make sure that you measure everything precisely and cut using strong scissors to avoid jagged lines.

2. Sewing the Rectangles

After that, it’s time to sew the rectangles, putting both sides together and pinning them across its 32-inch side. This will give you a lone rectangle. Sew one end of the rectangular fabric and then it will be time to sew the bean bag together.

3. Assemble It All

To sew the bean bag together, start off by putting all right sides together (the circle)and pin one of the circles to the rectangle’s longer side. Sew it in place using the quarter or half-inch seam on the sewing machine. Take note that the heavier material needs a larger allowance.

Then, sew the rectangle’s short ends once you have attaches the first circle, making sure that everything lines up accurately.

I really recommend that you use a sewing machine for this part, though it’s possible to do it by hand. You just have to be patient and ensure that the seams are tight to avoid it from breaking.

4. Sew the Zipper and Bottom Area

When the beanbag is now sewn together, it’s time to add the enclosure. Put the right sides of the beanbag’s pattern together, pinning the circle to the rectangle’s bottom. There will be enough space for the zipper’s length. Start to sew the zipper in, either by machine or hand, ensuring that it has tight seams.

However, you have the choice to skip this step if you don’t want to use a zipper. Instead, stuff the beanbag with foam filling then sew it up right after.

But if you do choose to use a zipper, then go for a heavy-duty and child-proof one if you have pets or kids.

5. Fill the Beanbag and You’re Done!

And finally, fill the beanbag with your chosen stuffing. I recommend that you use shredded polypropylene foam, which is durable and better than beads, which are known to spill easily if the beanbag splits open.

You can also opt to use urethane or memory foam fill, though they are more expensive.

Fill the beanbag with as much foam as you prefer, until it reaches your desired firmness. Be careful to avoid overstuffing though, as this may break the beanbag’s seams if you apply too much weight or pressure.

Once you’re done filling it up, either zip or sew the enclosure and it’s ready to use!

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Wrapping It Up

And there you have it! You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on materials or branded beanbag chairs. With some smart purchases and materials, you can easily find, you can make one yourself and with your family as a fun DIY project!

I hope that this article on how to make a beanbag chair gave you an idea of what you can do as a family or if you want to create a unique piece of furniture on a budget. So don’t wait any longer and look into these steps now!

If you have any questions or want to share your tips and experiences when making a beanbag chair, then comment below. Your thoughts are much appreciated.