You can sew a bean bag chair at home with durable fabric, a zipper or closure, and filler like beads or shredded foam — no special skills required.
Making your own bean bag chair means picking your own fabric, size, and fill, and it usually costs less than buying one. The process comes down to cutting panels, sewing them together with reinforced seams, and adding a secure opening for the filling. Whether you want a kids’ room accent or a reading-nook lounger, the steps stay the same.
What You Need to Build a Bean Bag Chair
Gather your materials before you start cutting. The fabric choice matters most: canvas, denim, upholstery fabric, or outdoor polyester all stand up to repeated sitting and abrasion. Cotton works for lighter use, but it wears faster.
- Fabric: 2–3 yards of canvas, denim, or upholstery-grade material (amount depends on your pattern size).
- Filling: polystyrene beads, foam beads, shredded foam, or polyester pellets — roughly 5–7 cubic feet for a standard adult chair.
- Tools: measuring tape, fabric scissors or a rotary cutter, straight pins or clips, fabric chalk, and a sewing machine with a zipper foot.
- Closure: a zipper (preferred for refillable covers) or heavy thread for hand-stitching a final seam.
Cutting and Sewing the Shell
Start with a pattern shape. The simplest is two large circles; a boxier version uses rectangles with square end panels; a pear or teardrop shape gives you a more traditional look. Whichever you pick, transfer the shape onto fabric with chalk, leaving a 1-inch seam allowance around every edge.
Pin the fabric pieces with the right sides together, then sew along the marked lines. The Spruce Crafts recommends sewing a second reinforcement seam about 1/4 inch from the first — this double seam stops small filler beads from working their way out through the stitching. Lowe’s suggests measuring the inner bag fabric and pinning it inside out before sewing three sides together, leaving the fourth side open for filling.
Leave a 15-inch opening for filling — either by sewing in a zipper or by leaving part of the final seam unsewn. A zipper is the better choice if you want a removable, washable cover or plan to refill the chair later. Sew the zipper in securely with a zipper foot; a weak zipper seam is a common leak point.
Filling, Closing, and Testing Your Chair
Turn the finished shell right side out through the opening. Now add the filling gradually — do not overstuff. A bean bag needs room to sink and conform when someone sits down; a rock-hard chair is uncomfortable and puts stress on the seams.
Once the chair reaches about 80% full, close the opening. If you used a zipper, just zip it shut. If you left a seam open, fold the raw edges inside and hand-stitch it closed with heavy thread, doubling the stitch line for security.
Before you call it done, test the chair. Sit in it, shift around, and check the seams and zipper area for escaping filler. Beads that sneak through a seam will end up all over your floor, so catch it now. If you spot gaps, reinforce that section with a second pass of stitching.
For a ready-made option instead of a DIY project, our tested picks for convertible bean bag chairs cover models that double as beds or loungers.
| Filling Type | Feel | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Polystyrene beads | Light, classic “bean” feel | Authentic bean bag texture |
| Shredded foam | Soft, cushiony, holds shape | Lounging and long sitting |
| Polyester pellets | Dense, firm support | Back support and structure |
| Packing peanuts | Light, cheap, compressible | Temporary budgets or kids’ crafts |
FAQ
What is the best fabric for a DIY bean bag chair?
Canvas, denim, and upholstery fabric are the most durable choices for a homemade bean bag chair. These materials resist abrasion from repeated sitting and hold up to washing. Outdoor polyester is a solid alternative for patios or kids’ rooms, while lighter cottons work only for low-traffic use.
How much filling do I need?
A standard adult bean bag chair typically needs 5–7 cubic feet of filling. Fill the shell to about 80% capacity so the chair can compress and conform when someone sits in it. You can always add more later, but removing filler is messy.
Can I make the cover removable and washable?
Yes — sew a zipper into the shell to make the cover removable and washable. A zipper also lets you refill or adjust the stuffing later. Just make sure the zipper seam is reinforced; a weak zipper installation is a common spot for beads to escape.
References & Sources
- Lowe’s. “How to Make a Bean Bag Chair.” Step-by-step guidance on cutting, pinning, and sewing panels.
- The Spruce Crafts. “How to Make a DIY Bean Bag Chair.” Details on opening size, seam allowance, and reinforcement seams.