Colorful Bean Bag Toss Project

Does your family have family reunions? Are you planning any summer birthday parties? One of my family’s favorite outdoor games goes by quite a few names, but in short can be called bean bag toss. What would the game be with out festive, colorful bags? Today, learn how to sew your own bean bags or corn bags, then play cornhole, tailgate, bean bag toss, doghouse, Baggo, or, whew, just plain bags. This is a perfect afternoon sewing project to create with kids. Then, go have some backyard fun.

How to Sew Bean Bags for Cornhole or Bean Bag Toss

Using the following instructions, you’ll be able to create regulation-size bags as set by the American Cornhole Organization. If you’re going to play the game, you better be official!

Supplies, Notions, and Fabric

12 oz. duck canvas, 1/4 yard each of two colors
Quality feed corn, 15 oz. for each corn bag (or use 15 oz. dried beans)
Zipper foot
Optional: 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge
Optional: Clover Point 2 Point Turner
Optional: Wonder Clips

Note from Nancy: If you opt to use novelty print cotton fabrics for your bean bags, perhaps to align with your favorite sports teams, you’ll want to underline the cotton squares with duck canvas for durability. 










Create

 For each bag, rotary cut two squares of fabric 7″ x 7″.

Use the  5-in-1 Sliding Gauge  to measure a 1/2″ hem on one side of each square.
Press. Fold open prior to stitching. 













Match right sides and use a 1/2″ seam allowance to stitch one side of the square.
Stitch seams twice, or choose a double-stitch decorative stitch for durability. (I used Baby Lock 1-05.)

“Wrap” the corners: Fold the fabric along the stitch line at the bottom corner; pin. 
Stitch the bottom seam starting at the fold. Use a 1/2″ seam allowance.
Fold the bottom seam along the stitch line and sew the remaining side. Use a 1/2″ seam allowance.

Note from Nancy: In the following pressing steps, it will help to press the bean bag envelope around a free-arm sleeve board or tailor’s pressing seam roll.

Press seam allowances open at the top edge.
Remove a small rectangle within the seam allowance to reduce bulk.

Refold the 1/2″ pressed seam allowance.
Press again.

Turn the bag right side out.
Use the turning tool to push out the corners.













Fill with 15 oz. of corn.

Pin the pressed folded edges together, placing pins parallel to the fold.
Optional: Using a hand sewing needle, sew a long basting stitch along the top edge to hold the corn in place when you move to the sewing machine.

Attach the zipper foot to your sewing machine.
Carefully sew the opening closed; removing pins as you stitch.

Optional: Use Wonder Clips at this step for ease of pinning. 

Use an anchor cloth (starter piece of fabric) to stitch the final seam. Reverse stitch on the fabric to secure the seam. Then, clip away the anchor cloth.











What a great project combining sewing and backyard fun!











Learn How to Build Your Own Corntoss Board
Check out this blog and video on how to make the corntoss board, compliments of  This Old House.

To learn more about the game, visit the American Cornhole Organization website.

Wrapped Corner Tips

The wrapped corner technique detailed above is also featured in my book,   The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew or watch the demonstration online on Sewing With Nancy.

Watch  The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew  on Sewing With Nancy  online.

To watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, download the app.

 What one sewing technique do you find the most intimidating? Leave your answer in the comments for a chance to receive a copy of the book, The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew. One winner will be selected randomly.

Thank you Sew Mama Sew for featuring my Fabric Bins tutorial on your blog today. If you are joining me from their site, welcome! I am glad you are here.

Bye for now,

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