How to sew a bean bag chair yourself: patterns for a drop bean bag chair, bean bag pillows, bean bag ottoman, filling for a bean bag chair. Ideas for using bean bag chairs in the interior

How to sew a bean bag chair: patterns, fabric calculations, sewing tips.

Bean bag chairs in pictures and TV screens look bright and stylish, and therefore the idea of sewing a bean bag chair with your own hands is tempting. The technology for making such furniture itself is not very complicated, and below we will give several diagrams and step-by-step instructions that will help you sew a bean bag chair with your own hands. Now let's look at the possible nuances, features and subtleties associated with this piece of furniture.

Bean bag chair: who is it suitable for and how practical is it?

In designer interiors, bean bags are often found in recreation areas on balconies and terraces, in children's rooms and living rooms. In a word, in those places that suggest rest and relaxation. This is dictated by the features of this piece of furniture.

The bean bag chairs are low and very soft, they take the shape of the body. In this chair you will be comfortable watching TV, sitting with a tablet in your hands, or chatting with friends on the balcony. But this chair will not be comfortable near a computer desk or in the dining area. Even near the dressing table it will not be very practical and low. That is, rest is his main purpose.
Bean bags do not have sharp corners, are lightweight and therefore are well suited for children's rooms. They are often loved by cats and children. It is convenient for children to use them for purposes other than their intended purpose. For example, as a trampoline or as a mat on which it is convenient to jump from a sofa or wall bars.
Bean bag chairs often become an “object of attraction” for house guests. They are unusual and can be very bright. Therefore, this is good furniture for the guest area.

Bean bag chair (pear)
To be fair, we need to list the difficulties that may arise during the operation of a bean bag chair.

Bean bag chairs take up a lot of space and therefore are unlikely to be suitable for owners of one-room apartments.
The filling of a bean bag chair inevitably gets compacted after just a couple of months. You need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to buy new foam granules, which are used to fill bean bags. It is also necessary to provide zippers on the outer and inner covers so that you can add filler.
Some people don’t like the shapelessness and “buoyancy” of a bean bag chair, but this is a matter of taste.

Bean bags are not always stable

Filling rules

If you purchased a ready-made cover for frameless furniture, then a filler is always included with it. Most often these are small plastic balls. It is not always possible to fill a case with high-quality filler. Usually the kit includes an additional case into which you can place a bag of balls and carefully pour them in. If there is no additional cover, or the hole is too small, then filling frameless furniture will be problematic. The following instructions will help correct the situation:

Take an empty plastic bottle with a narrow neck;
Cut off the bottom and neck;
Insert the narrow part of the bottle into the bag with filler and secure it with rope or tape;
Dip the other part of the bottle into a furniture cover and secure it;
Turn the bag with the filling upside down and carefully begin pouring the balls.

If you do everything correctly, not a single ball of polystyrene foam will end up on the floor. There is also another option for filling frameless furniture, which anyone can do. For this option you will need a clean vacuum cleaner and a nylon stocking.

How to fill:

Separate the brush from the vacuum cleaner tube;
Pull a nylon stocking over the pipe;
Open the bag of granules and unfasten the lock on the inner cover of the frameless sofa or chair;
Hold the vacuum cleaner tube well with one hand and press the power button;
Place the end of the pipe into a container of polystyrene beads. Pieces of artificial material will instantly stick to the sock;
Turn off the device;
Carefully place the vacuum cleaner hose in the case and shake it a little so that the balls fall off.

Repeat the procedure as many times as necessary to transfer all the filler. This option is suitable not only for filling, but also for removing excess balls in the case if you suddenly poured too many of them.

Both options are necessary for filling frameless furniture with plastic balls. Any other filler, be it natural or artificial material, can be easily placed in the case without the use of any equipment. The main thing is to leave a little empty space so that the product can take different shapes and not be too rigid.

We put the nylon on the vacuum cleaner tube

Open the bag of granules

Turn on the vacuum cleaner

We pull the granules into the nylon, direct the filler into the bag and turn off the vacuum cleaner

Pattern of a bean bag chair, pear chair

To sew a bean bag chair with your own hands, you need to make an outer and inner cover.

The inner cover is very desirable, because we will fill the bean bag chair with polystyrene foam (balls from which foam is made), and this material very easily scatters around the room and is difficult to collect.

The outer and inner covers for the bean bag chair are sewn using the same pattern. Below we have created a pattern for a bean bag chair with a height of 130 cm, that is, one that would be comfortable for an adult to sit on.

Pattern of a bean bag chair, how to lay it out on fabric

Such a large bean bag chair will require quite a lot of fabric - a little less than 4 meters with a width of 140 cm. The same amount of fabric will be required for the inner cover. When choosing material for a beanbag chair, you can go in two ways:

The first inexpensive option is Oxford fabric, which, however, has many variations. The material is similar to a thin, non-stretchy and waterproof raincoat fabric. The advantages of such fabric are that it is budget-friendly and that the material does not allow moisture to pass through well. Disadvantages - this fabric rustles and is not very pleasant to the touch.
The second option is furniture fabrics. There are a huge number of them: flock, jacquard, matting, furniture artificial leather and others.

As for the inner cover, we categorically do not recommend using non-woven material for it, either non-woven or denser. Some manufacturers try to save money this way, but this fabric tears very easily and cannot withstand stress. What can I use for the inner cover? Cotton fabric, possibly mixed with synthetics, is suitable. How to cut the fabric to make a bean bag chair with your own hands can be seen in more detail in the diagram below. Each cell in the diagram is equal to 10 real centimeters.

Manufacturers of bean bags often equip them with eyelets. They are needed to relieve pressure on the seams when a person suddenly sits down on a chair. We believe that installing eyelets on a bean bag chair made by yourself is problematic, and there is a risk of severe damage to the fabric. Alternatively, you can simply leave holes in the seam between the top cover and the sides, about a centimeter in diameter.

DIY beanbag pattern.

The diagram is shown without seam allowances. We recommend adding another 2 cm to each piece. The threads should be strong and the seam should be double or linen.

production of expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene is a gas-filled material obtained directly from polystyrene and its derivatives. This technology for the production of filling for ottomans and pear-shaped chairs involves several stages. First, styrene fragments dissolved in the polymer mass are filled with gas. At the next stage, the resulting mass is heated using steam. After this exposure, the granules significantly increase in volume and acquire a familiar appearance and density. Next, the filler is packaged in packaging of various capacities.

Pattern of a children's bean bag chair

A children's bean bag chair is sewn according to the same pattern as an adult's, only the sizes will be different. The chair taken as an example will be 105 cm high, it will be suitable for a child aged 5-8 years.

Children's beanbag pattern

And more details about how to sew such a bean bag chair for a child are described in the video below. The author created a chair in the shape of a cute little penguin.

Pattern for a drop bean bag chair

A drop bean bag chair is similar to a pear chair, but unlike the latter, it does not need to be positioned before sitting down; it is more stable. The finished drop chair will look something like the photo below.

Drop bean bag chair, how to sew it?

In order not to be mistaken with the sizes, use the pattern for a bean bag chair.

Drop beanbag pattern

If you add pockets to such a chair, quilt the top cover with decorative stitches and choose a bright fabric, you can get a very cute bean bag chair created by yourself.

Beanbag in the interior

Features of frameless furniture

A distinctive feature of such chairs is that they do not have a rigid frame. It is a regular bag with filler placed inside.

The shape of the products depends on the shape of the bag itself, which is sewn from a variety of fabrics. This allows you to create unique pears, butterflies and other interesting options. Frameless furniture has several advantages:

The absence of a rigid frame prevents injury from hitting a sharp corner.
The chairs adapt to almost any body shape.
The simplicity of the design allows you to make furniture yourself.
The presence of a special hole in the cover makes it possible to periodically change the filler, restoring the appearance of the structure. You can also do the same with the top fabric covers. This allows you to adapt the design of the product to the interior of the room.

Beanbag cushion

You can create comfort in your home without resorting to complex calculations and sewing. The simplest pillows in the interior can give a head start to chairs with polystyrene balls. They are easier to sew. Everyone can sew two squares of fabric, and sit and lie comfortably on the pillows.

How to decorate a room with very beautiful pillows, read this article.

DIY bean bag chair in the shape of an ordinary pillow

Application area

Most people put convenience in the first place in the interior rather than presentability. Designers take this fact into account when creating furniture, which is why frameless models have now come into fashion. Bean bags, ottomans, sofas and mattresses without a rigid base are loved by almost everyone. Their appearance is varied, and in terms of convenience they have no equal.

The main function in frameless furniture is played by the filler. He can be anything. It all depends on the imagination of the designer and the desire of the client who orders the model. Fillers are necessary in the manufacture of several options for comfortable furniture:

Ottomans - they are comfortable and can be used in any room and interior as a chair, footrest or mini table;
Bean bag chairs - designers make them in various shapes. Most often they are purchased for a children's room. Adults also love them: at various trainings and similar events, the participants are often offered bean bags instead of chairs. Many antique cafes prefer frameless models;
Chair-cushion - a round or rectangular volumetric pillow can be used as a lining on a hard seat or as a separate piece of furniture;
Transformable upholstered furniture - beds and sofas, consisting of separate soft blocks, perfectly complement living rooms and bedrooms;
Mattresses - springless models are increasingly found on sale.

The length of use of the furniture depends on what filler is inside. One material can last quite a long time, while the other will have to be changed frequently.

Bag chair

Mattress

Poufs

Furniture transformer

Cushion chair

DIY beanbag

If you want the bean bag chair to be miniature and more reminiscent of an ottoman, use our next pattern.

Pattern of a bean bag chair in the form of an ottoman

If you are thinking about how to sew a bean bag chair yourself, and even so that it fits into an interior that has delicate floral notes, try choosing furniture fabric in the same style for the ottoman.

Ottoman-bag with flowers

FAQ

How do you sit in the chair? First you have to create a nest to sit in and then knock about a quarter of the balls out of the cone so that it falls on your back. Then sit on the back of the nest you created.

Does it run flat? This is common for products filled with polystyrene beads. To extend its life, shake and refill the device.

Lifespan of a bean bag chair?The service life of a quality product can last up to 4 years without refilling.

How to clean it? The removable covers are machine washable, but the vinyl blocks should be washed with soap and water. Use a damp cloth to clean models that come with velvet covers.

Are bean bag chairs good for your back? Sitting on these things for a long period of time will definitely have a negative impact on your posture as there is no support for your upper back.

Why are they so expensive? The price is made up of the cost of the fabric material, which can be either cotton, nylon or leather. The zipper and the type of filling also affect the price.

Conclusion

As you can see, there's more to a bean bag chair than just choosing a color you might like

We hope this buying guide has provided you with some useful information so that you have a better understanding of what to look for when you're looking to buy a bean bag chair. Please feel free to leave feedback, we love it

You may also be interested in: Top 7 Best Gaming Chairs

Filler for bean bag chair

Buyers often complain about a persistent chemical odor emanating from bean bag chairs. This smell is emitted by polystyrene foam granules. Purchased chairs are almost always filled with them.

Partially solving the problem is purchasing high-quality granules for a bean bag chair; the granules should be small and whole without crumbs and dust. And you can purchase them on online sites or in large construction stores.

Sometimes, in order to save money, instead of new polystyrene foam balls, they use used material - crushed polystyrene foam. But for reasons of environmental friendliness and the durability of the chair, this is a bad decision.

Filler for bean bag chair

If there are small children in the house and there is a risk of foam balls falling out of the bag, this idea should be abandoned altogether. Light and small pellets can pose a threat to the lives of young children.

Some manufacturers solve this problem by installing a valve on the inner case, which can only be opened with a special key. But buying it is problematic.

At home, bean bags are sometimes filled with padding polyester, holofiber and other materials that are at hand.

What is

Fillers for frameless furniture play one of the key roles in the convenience and practicality of the product - they determine the comfort of sitting and are responsible for the durability and environmental friendliness of the chair. Over time, the filling tends to decrease in volume, as a result, the ottomans become deformed and become unsuitable for further use. To avoid disappointment, it is necessary to understand at the stage of choosing a product what bean bags are made of and which filling has the highest characteristics. The basic requirements for any of them come down to three conditions:

balance of softness and elasticity;
operational safety;
minimum shrinkage percentage.

Expanded polystyrene is considered one of the softest materials: it combines elasticity and ductility, is resistant to shrinkage and demonstrates good performance when tested for durability.

A distinctive feature of quality products is the presence of certificates, which guarantee that the product has been tested and subjected to examination. This means that the filling for the chair is safe, suitable specifically for frameless furniture, and complies with accepted international norms and standards. Modern equipment and the processing technologies provided for it make it possible to 100% polymerize the styrene contained in the products. Substances hazardous to health are completely removed, the material does not emit harmful elements.

Ideas for using bean bag chairs in the interior

Often a bean bag chair is the brightest spot in the room; it can attract attention not only with its “acid” color, but also with its shape alone.

Bright bean bag chair

Bean bag chairs look great in children's rooms. For example, in a children's room in muted pink and gray tones, a handmade bean bag chair will look wonderful. The only thing is that you should not leave children under 3 years old alone with such a chair.

Bean bag chair for a girl's bedroom

And bean bags come in a variety of shapes.

Bean bags for kindergarten

Sometimes a bean bag chair looks more like a bed than a chair.

DIY bean bag

Bean bags are good furniture for rooms where cheerful groups gather, for example, to watch a football match.

Bean bags for hanging out with friends

Bean bags are bulky but light. Therefore, those who have a car sometimes take them with them on a picnic or to the beach. In the photo below, the beach is already equipped with bean bags.

Bean bags by the ocean

In some interiors, bean bags with faux fur help create a fabulous winter mood.

Beanbag in the interior

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Natural options

For those who are against any chemicals, but want to have their own beanbag, there is an alternative - natural filler. You can find it anywhere, from farms to home kitchens. The main rule is that the material must be perfectly dried, free of fungi and mold. Furniture that does not have chemical components is worthy of praise. But for the sake of objectivity, you should also warn about the disadvantages of natural components:

they can cause allergies;
contain down mites;
absorb moisture well, so it is not recommended to leave the bag on the terrace and in other open places for a long time;
it is not always possible to get up to 20 liters of a natural component;
natural material is short-lived, it breaks down and deteriorates, and requires replacement;
The natural contents hold their shape worse than artificial components and also lag behind in elasticity.

Grains

To create a beanbag, grain fillers are used - peas, rice, beans and other legumes. The bulk material follows the shape of the human body, it is pleasant to touch and allows you to relax. But you can’t expect it to quickly regain its shape, and collecting a whole bag of cultivated food products turns out to be quite expensive.

Horsehair

The material is hard and holds the shape of the chair well, although it cannot be called comfortable. Collecting a full bag of horsehair is quite problematic. You can use threads as a filler, they are softer, but to purchase them in large quantities, you will have to spend a lot of money.

Feather and down

Only rural residents who keep ducks or geese on their farm can afford such a beanbag. The raw materials are dried and accumulated gradually, they are stored in a dry place until the bag is full and ready to make the chair. It should be borne in mind that the feather in its natural form is not suitable for the product; the feather and the hard core are removed from it, leaving only fluff, which means that even more raw materials will be needed than expected. A bean bag chair made of down turns out to be incredibly soft, airy and light, and is very relaxing. But some people are allergic to feathers, and they also contain dust mites.

Wool

Wool beanbag chairs are considered winter options for frameless furniture. They are made from wool and down of sheep. It is better to use fabric for the cover, rather than leather and its substitutes, then the beanbag will turn out to be very warm, even if the chair is placed on an icy floor, you will be able to warm up on it in any case.

Sawdust

Filling a bag with sawdust is not difficult; it can be purchased inexpensively at a primary wood processing plant (sawmill). Coniferous tree shavings are especially affordable. This material is impregnated with natural resins, the vapors of which have a certain therapeutic effect on humans, soothe headaches, and stabilize certain mental states. Before pushing the sawdust into the bag, you need to carefully sort it out with your hands and remove sharp chips that can tear the fabric and injure the body. Then the material should be thoroughly dried to prevent putrefactive bacteria from developing in the bag.

Hay

For those who are not allergic to flowers, filling your bean bag with hay is a healthy and completely free option. It is better to use July forbs for these purposes. The aroma of a summer meadow and the presence of medicinal plants will turn the mattress into an object of aromatherapy. Raw materials should be harvested in dry weather, dried in a draft until the material is completely brittle, and only then loaded into a bag, having previously removed the hard parts. The chair will be comfortable, but not durable; the filling will have to be prepared anew every season.