Thursday, July 30, 2009

Alphabet Bean Bags

I made these alphabet bean bags for my son, and they were actually pretty easy to make. The hardest part for me was sewing on all the letters... 'G' and 'Q' are probably the hardest. But, I think they still turned out okay. We'll use these for sorting different things that start with each letter, spelling things out, or just tossing them around and having fun! :) Here's how to make them:

First, you'll need two square pieces of fabric for each bean bag. I didn't measure my squares. I thought, since they're bean bags they didn't have to be perfect, and I wasn't worried about whether or not they were each the same size bean bag... Use a different color fabric to cut out the letter, then sew it on one piece of fabric using the small zigzag stitch. If you want, you could also do a lowercase letter on the other piece of fabric, then you would have an uppercase letter on one side and a lowercase letter on the other. 

Next, you'll need some type of "pouch" to hold the beans on the inside of the bag. You can make any type of fabric pouch using scrap fabric, or anything you have on hand. Since no one will see the inside of the bag, I used some old, but clean socks. I just cut off the toe/foot part and the above the ankle part, and discarded the heel part. For the toe/foot section, I just filled it up with beans, then sewed the other end closed. For the above the ankle part, I sewed one end, then filled it up with beans, then sewed the other end closed. I tried a few different "fillings" for my bean bags... rice, lentils, tiny pasta, and Israeli couscous (pretty much anything I had in the pantry). I like the way the Israeli couscous sounds/feels best, but you can use whatever you like. :)

After you've made your bean pouches, sew the two pieces of fabric together, right sides facing each other. Only sew three sides of the square, leaving one side open for "stuffing". 

Turn the bag right side out, then stuff with the bean pouch. 

Fold in the edges of the fabric, and pin together to prepare for sewing the final side. 

Sew the last side across... 
Then you've made a bean bag! :)

Repeat for 25 more letters... Then breathe a sigh of relief when finally done! ;)

Yay! Now it's learning time!
Have fun!










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28 comments:

Nadia said...

wow what a great idea!! thanks for the clear instructions! i definately plan on trying this when i have time

Tania @ Larger Family Life said...

These look great! You did a good job there :-)

The Redhead Riter said...

I love the sock idea

Enjoy a Totally Tremendous Thursday!!!

Annette W. said...

I don't think I'm that patient!

I think it's halirious that you pointed out old, but clean socks! It made me imagine someone taking some stinky socks from the laundry...hehe

Unknown said...

Holy cow these are so great! Makes learning fun LOL! Thanks for stopping by!!

Anonymous said...

What a fun idea! Now, if you have boys, guess what they'll do with those awesome bean bags? Toss them, throw them, at each other! Multi-tasking items are always the best:)

Genny said...

Now that is truly a labor of love! So cute, and I'm sure they will be a great learning tool. :)

Multiple personalities.. said...

What a fun idea! I bet this can be used for so many things: shapes, numbers, science, etc. Thanks for sharing!

Andrea said...

Love them! Can I pay you to make me a set? I can't sew for ANYTHING!!! ;)

Kim said...

Those are so CUTE! And I love that they are not only cute but educational! I've been thinking about starting on letters lately so this couldn't have come at a better time!

Julie Link said...

these are so cute! i bought some on etsy a while ago for a 3 yr old bday gift. had extra letters made to fill out the bday girls name.

Eileen said...

Visiting from SITS! You are so talented! Super cute idea!

Courtney said...

These are too cute! My little boy isn't quite old enough for them yet, but I'll definately print this off and keep it for future use! Thanks for the great idea!

(ps-I'm visiting from SITS :] )

Anonymous said...

The bean bags are cute! Thank you for visiting my blogs SITSta!

Gombojav Tribe said...

Two thumbs up! Delightfully Fun! :-)

Atlanta said...

I really love this. I was trying to think of a fun way to do the Alphabet with my Daughter. Thanks!

Atlanta said...

I might totally cheat and use stich witch on the letters!

BPOTW said...

What a great, fun idea! Glad that you posted it!

Lori said...

Those are too cute! I am going to pass this along to my SiL...my nephew is learning his alphabet now!

The Double Dipped Life said...

I am not a sewer...but these sound so fun! maybe it will be my next "adventure"!

Thanks from SITS!

Louise | Italy said...

Aren't they groovy - jolly useful too for teaching letters and generally having fun. How creative you are!

Andy Porter said...

I love those!! My kids will adore those and you make it look so simple!! I love simple!! Thanks for linking today!!
~Andy @ Poppies at Play

Farrah @ Wife and Mom of 3 said...

I like them! They look great. :-)

Linds said...

Such a GREAT idea! THanks fo sharing...I'm debating on if I have the patience to make them or not...hmmm. They turned out so cute!

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

great idea! I love how you used a sock to stuff the bags with instead of just putting the beans in the appliqued bag. SMART!

Chelsea said...

wow those are SOOO cute- I really want to try it. Thanks for the great idea!!!
Chelsea

beth said...

Thanks so much for this inspiration and for taking part in the Craft Hope project for LOEP! Yur efforts on behalf of children in Liberia will make a difference in their lives and in their learning!
Thank you, thank you, thank you
Beth at LOEP

Melissa said...

I love these!! I am a teacher and with a little one on the way, educational stuff makes me giddy!
I am a new follower!

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