Cornhole, bean toss, corn toss… Whatever you call it, it is one of the most fun yard games out there. If you’re not familiar with this favorite summertime game, here’s how it works: players throw small bags at a board with a hole in it, hoping to get their bags inside the hole. But to play cornhole, you need corn hole bags! You can buy them, but you can also sew conhole bags yourself pretty easily.
If you’re reading this article, you may be sewing new bags because yours have deteriorated. Alternatively, you may be making DIY boards and want to make your own corn hole bags to go with them. Either way, this article will teach you how to make cornhole bags for yourself.
Without further ado, here’s how to make your very own cornhole bags. If you are new to cornhole, you might want to read up on how cornhole scoring works here.
Tools Needed For The Project
To make DIY cornhole bags, here are the tools you’ll need:
- Sharp scissors
- Sewing machine or needle
- Pencil or fabric pen
- Measuring cup or digital scale
Optional Tools:
- Funnel
- Cutting mat and rotary cutter
Materials
These are the materials you’ll indeed to make corn hole bags:
- Two colors of duck cloth
- 8 lbs (3.6 kg) of whole kernel corn or resin beads
- Thread, preferably heavy duty polyester
Dimensions
Your finished cornhole bag should be approximately 6” x 6” (15.24 cm). To achieve this, cut your squares 7” x 7” (17.7 cm) and then sew your seam ½” (1.2 cm) in from each side.
Cornhole bags should weigh about 1 lb or between 15 – 16 oz (425 – 453 g). You can weigh this out on a digital scale or measure 1 ¾ cups corn or 2 ¼ cups resin beads.
Cut List
Now that we’ve gone over the basics, here are your step-by-step instructions for how to sew cornhole bags:
1. Draw Rectangles On Fabric
First things first, you’ll need to measure and draw your rectangles on the fabric. As mentioned above, each finished cornhole bag should measure 6” x 6”, so make the rectangles 7” x 7”. For a full set of cornhole bags, you’ll need 8 squares of each color to make 4 bags for each team.
2. Cut The Fabric
Once you have drawn your squares, cut them out with sharp scissors. If you have a cutting mat and rotary cutter, you can cut the fabric very effectively using the measuring lines. However, a good ruler and scissors will do the trick!
3. Pin The Squares Together
Next, it’s time to pin the squares together to make your bag. Use straight pins and pin far enough away from the edge to give you space to sew.
4. Sew Them Together
Now you can sew up your cornhole bags! If you have a sewing machine, use it to sew the bags together with a ½” (1.2 cm) seam allowance. If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can do this by hand. Make sure to leave about a 2″ (5 cm) hole on one side of the bag so that you can fill it with corn.
If you want to be absolutely sure to keep the stuffing inside, you can do a second seam next to the first or simply use double stitch.
5. Trim The Bags
To avoid bulky seams, trim along the edges of each bag and also snip off the corners. This will allow you to have neat square bags instead of shapeless sacks. Be careful not to cut any of your sewn thread when trimming the corners.
6. Invert The Cornhole Bags
It’s time to turn each bag inside out! Use your fingers or a pencil to press out the corners.
7. Fill Them Up
Fill up each bag with whole corn kernels or resin beads. If you have a scale, use it to measure 1 pound or 15 – 16 oz (425 – 453 g). Alternatively, you can use measuring cups to measure 1 ¾ cups corn and it should get you to the right weight. If you’re using resin, you’ll need 2 ¼ cups.
When filling the bags, a funnel will make the task a lot easier.
8. Finishing Stitching The Cornhole Bag
Lastly, tuck the fabric edges inside each bag and sew up the holes on your corn hole bags. A simple stitch works or you can sew along the entire edge for a professional look.
And your DIY cornhole bags are complete! If you’re a beginner, you can learn how to throw it here. You may also want to learn how to make your own cornhole set.
9. Buy Cornhole Bags
If all this seems like too much work, you can always buy yourself some commercially made cornhole bags. To find the best cornhole bag for you, check our review list. If you need some cornhole boards to go along with your bags, click here to find the best ones available.
What Is Duck Cloth Material?
Duck cloth material is often simply called canvas fabric, but try to make sure you get the duck cloth variety and not another type of canvas. The name comes from the Dutch word doek, which refers to linen canvas. Duck fabric is a tighter plain weave that is usually heavier and a more durable material than other styles of canvas cloth. Duck cloth offers more durability so you can make sturdy cornhole bags that last a long time.
Corn-Filled Bags Or Resin Filled?
Choosing between corn-filled or resin-filled bags is a matter of personal preference. Corn is the traditional choice and it is the easiest and cheapest to get hold of. Corn gradually breaks down and creates dust, which is helpful as it allows the bags to slide more easily. However, corn-filled bags can get damp and go moldy, which may attract bugs or corn weevils.
Corn dust is also a health hazard if breathed in, so avoid corn if you are playing indoors.
An alternative option is to go for resin-filled bags, which are filled with plastic resin beads or pellets. These are more durable and you’ll be able to wash them without any issues. However, the lack of dust means the bags will be less slick and there are environmental concerns about them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Materials Are Used To Make Cornhole Bags?
Duck cloth, thread and corn kernels or resin beads are used to make cornhole bags. Cotton duck material is a highly durable type of cotton canvas. This is the best material to sew cornhole bags with as they will last longer. Also, make sure to use a sturdy and durable thread, such as a heavy duty polyester.
How Do You Make A Cornhole Bag By Hand?
You make a cornhole bag by hand by sewing together squares of fabric and filling them with corn or plastic pellets. First, cut out eight 7” x 7” (17.7 x 17.7 cm) squares of fabric. Sew these together with a ½” (1.2 cm) seam allowance, leaving a 2” (5 cm) hole. Next, invert each bag and fill them with 1 lb (453 g) of corn or resin. Sew up the holes and your corn hole bags are complete!
What To Fill Throwing Bean Bags With?
Fill throwing bean bags with corn or resin beads. Corn is the simplest option and it works great. The only issue is that if it gets damp, this can cause mold to develop, which may attract insects. Alternatively, you can use plastic resin beads to fill your bags. These are a more durable option and won’t get moldy.
Conclusion
Now you know exactly how to make cornhole bags and you can go out and make your own! Making cornhole bags is simple and fun and can make a great family DIY project. And if you are new to this awesome lawn game, you can be sure it will soon be a staple game of the summer. So let the games begin!
