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Bean Bag Numbers Tutorial

Activities· Crafts· Sewing· Tutorials

Still at Summer Camp…but I have an Idea Room Readers Tutorial for you today from Sarah at Create Studio. Sorry it is so late, but things at camp have been super busy, I just barely got some down time before I am off again.

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I’ve never been too keen on math. Words I love, but numbers I loathe. (Although for some strange reason I’m drawn to Sudoku puzzles… try to figure that one out!) Anyway, I’m hoping my little Owen will have more of a love of numbers and math than his mommy, so we’re starting early by making numbers into toys!
You can see by the impatient little hands in this picture that these have already been a big hit. He didn’t want to wait for me to photograph his new toys!
I made these numbers using the technique I used to make my tummy time mat.

After washing them they get these really great frayed edges, then I stuffed them with rice. (So I guess technically these are more like ricebags than beanbags… ricebags sounds a little weird though!) Do you want a tutorial? Well alright!

Here’s what you’ll need:
  • 10 different scrap pieces of fabric
  • Rice
  • Funnel
  • Plastic Straw
  • Graph Paper
  • Sharp Scissors
First you’ll want to draw some numbers on your graph paper. I made sure that the width was at least 2 1/4 inches at all points of the number, the graph paper helped with that a bunch. Below are my numbers “4” and “5”. If you would like to print this picture out on a full 8 1/2 by 11 piece of paper you’ll see the scale I used. If you would like the other numbers, check out this post.
Next, cut out your numbers from the graph paper and pin them to your fabric. Be sure you have the wrong sides of the fabric together when you cut the numbers out. You won’t be flipping these inside out, so you’ll want the pretty side of the fabric to face out.
Stitch around the outside edges of each number, be sure to leave a 1/4 inch seam allowance and at least a 1 inch opening to put the rice in later.

Using some sharp scissors, cut the edges of the number. Be super careful not to cut your sewed edge or you’ll be going back to your sewing machine to fix it. Be patient with this step, it takes some time, but it’s worth it in the end!

When all of the edges have been clipped you’re ready for the fun part! Throw the numbers into your washer and dryer and the edges will fray beautifully! Your final step is to fill each number with rice using the funnel. I’ve found that a plastic straw works well to jam the rice down into the bottom of the numbers. Stitch the opening closed and you’re all done!

—
Sarah

Thanks Sarah at Create Studio for sharing your great tutorial with us today! Go ahead and show her some comment love!

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About Amy

Amy Huntley is the owner/author of The Idea Room. A mother of five, who enjoys sharing her love of all things creative in hopes of inspiring other women and families. Never miss a creative idea that she shares by connecting with her here, or read more of her posts.

Comments

  3. Katy at Minnesota Attorney says

    You are so talented! I love the fringe around the edge! What a great hands-on way to learn numbers!

    Reply

  7. All In The Family says

    Hi! I just purchased the finger puppet pattern two days ago and purchased the travel games (5) today. I can no longer access my primary email that was used for my paypal account. I just added my current email and was wondering if you could send my purchases to my new primary email account. My old email was hacked into so I changed the password and can't for the life of me remember it:( my email is [email protected]

    Thanks!

    Amy West

    Reply

  8. Selina says

    LOVE the tutorials! your pics are so easy to understand and you make it seem simple and we love that!
    ~selina
    sisters4saymoreismore.blogspot.com

    Reply

  9. Melissa says

    I don't really do numbers either! These are so cute though and the frayed edges are adorable! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  11. Kathy says

    You mentioned washing them, and for teethers I will want to. How does the rice wash? Is there any risk of spoilage?

    Reply

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  13. Sarah Helene says

    FAB IDEA . . . IDEAL FOR LEARNING & memorizing number shapes . . . FUN “GAME” for kids! I like the variety of colors & types of fabric that you selected for each number, 0 – 9. Plus the cut little “fringe” along the edges of fabric. Did you make duplicates, so kids can count u to 100? THANKS for sharing. Sarah in Minneapolis

    Reply

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned in some of my posts for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe my readers will enjoy. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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