This beanbag was a trial. It was supposed to be sitting on the car, on the arm rest between both front seats but it turned out to be too unstable, even when attached.
Still works well as a stand for the iPad on a flat surface such as a table. I use it to read recipes. For this purpose using oilcloth rather than plain cotton would have worked better.
Materials
- 12 charm squares (5 inch charm squares)
- 1 self covered button
- a stone or something heavy for the inside
- a piece of cardboard
- polyfill
Assemble the charm squares as in the photo to make a rectangle.
Fold in half, right side facing together, and pin.
Sew around 2 sides to make make a sac.
Place the sac as per photo with both points placed in the middle.
Pick up the bottom point and pin up with the point rearching the middle seam as per photo.
Sew a button in place as per photo below.
Start filling the beanbag using polyfill. Cut a piece of carboard 4 ½ x 4 ½. Place the cardboard inside at the base of the beanbag and the weight on top. Fill around it.
Fill in the beanbag and pin both sides together on the last charm square seam as per photo.
Stitch along the seam leaving a small opening 2 inches wide on one side to top up the filling before closing it completely.
Fold the left over piece into 4 folds.
Pin it.
Stitch both sides of the tube.
Fill the thin tube with polyfill and then sew the tube closed.
Sit the iPad or e-book reader on it.
Love this idea! Now if only I can get an iPad for Christmas…..
That is so clever! I’m thinking about an adaption for my TomTom on the car dash since I broke the stand for it..hmmmmm. Thanks for the inspiration!
You have a very good idea! It´s practical and cute too!
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This is a great idea!!! Thankyou for sharing.
Hi, I have found charm squares come in different sizes. What size were yours? Thanks again for sharing this tutorial. Jessica
Jessica, I used 5inch charm squares.
LOVE it! I am headed for my sewing room to make one for myself!
Adorable!
Two ideas that might help with getting stability in the car:
1) Use sand as the filler. It has weight and repositions itself to sort of mould around surfaces. You can bake it to sterilize if you wish, it lasts forever, and bugs won’t try to eat it.
2) add side pockets that would hang down from the bottom to “hug” the car console. I can’t really see how much space you do or don’t have in there, but it might be just enough counter balance prevent slide.
Or perhaps a couple of vinyl patches on the bottom (or some of that fancy duck tape for grip, if you could bring yourself to put tape on such a lovely creation).
Gad
Thank you for the ideas! They are good but I think only using duck tape would work combined with something to hold the beanbag to the armrest too. The main problem is that the iPad is too heavy so with movement it comes off even if the beanbag stays in place. That’s why I came up with a different solution http://mypatchwork.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/ipad-holder-for-the-car/ and this idea does work. I still use the beanbag for watching movies in bed or for reading recipes in the kitchen, though for the kitchen it would be better if the beanbag was made of vinyl or something you could easily wash.
Anyway, it was a really good learning exercise.
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Teresa…….here’s what I thought about…(I love yours!)
I never use sand. It can have moisture in it and I’ve never been happy using it in pin cushions especially. It DULLS your pins and when your pins are stuck in the cushion over time get sticky and don’t “slide” easy into fabrics when pinning……I know this isn’t a pin cushion but just saying…
I find that crushed walnut shells is awesome….ur can get it at pet stores. It sharpens the points on straight pins and is one of my favorite things to use for project that call for something like sand.
You can use plastic canvas if you dont have cardboard.
All charms are five inches. someone posted hey found charms in different sizes, which is impossible. There are names for the different sizes……like layer cakes are 10 inches. But ALL CHARMS are 5 inches, you are correct.
Of you wanted to use a print and not charms (save a step on sewing blocks together for this you would cut your piece 20-3/4 x 15-1/2…I did the math, assuming you sewed with 1/4 inch seams.
As far as oilcloth…..you can’t pin,that stuff without leaving holes….what about PUL fabric that’s used for diaper covers…….
I CAN’T WAIT TO MAKE ONE!!!!! Thanks for this tutorial!
Thanks for the suggestions.
Thank you for this tutorial and your idea! It is just this what I need!
Greetings from Germany, Bavaria,
Suserl
i made this today. for some reason my fire wouldn’t stay on, so i added a couple straps. thanks for the pattern!
Shannon, maybe your reader is lighter than the iPad. Or the beanbag wedge is not big enogh. I’m glad you found a solution though.
Your idea is great but use poly pellets made by the people who make poly fill. This what is in the expensive wedges. Thank you Jane
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a great idea, thanks for sharing
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I wanted to leave another comment…i had to modify it for my kindle fire, but it works PERFECTLY for my kindle fire 8.9. again thank you
Thank you for the feedback again Shannon
I see that I’m a bit late to the party, but wow! What a great idea! Get that pattern on Etsy, Teresa – you’re a wonder!
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