Supplies

STEP 1: GATHER YOUR SEWING SUPPLIES

Compared with the other steps, there’s very little here to purchase. Below are the supplies we bought in order to sew our own cornhole bags:

duck cloth – 7’’ x 7’’squares (16 total, 8 per color)
thread (2 spools, one for each color of bag)
fabric glue (optional)
feed-grade dried corn (8 lbs)

Next, collect all your tools. If you aren’t concerned with creating precision, you can probably get by without the optional items. In rough order of usage:

fabric-cutting mat w/ grid (optional, but very nice for straight, accurate cuts)
fabric cutters or scissors
sewing machine
pencil or pen
digital baking scale (fantastic, but optional)
extra sewing pins

Duck cloth is a canvas-type “outdoor” fabric that you can find at any nearly fabric store. Finding it is easy, but getting the right amount takes a tiny bit of math. Each team needs four bags made from two 7’’ x 7’’ squares (eight squares total). If your fabric store sells duck cloth on bolts that are 60’’ wide, then you are in luck since 8 x 7” is only 56” of fabric that you need. If it is above the store’s minimum, then have them cut off 7” of fabric for you. (If not, consider making an extra set for a friend. Don’t worry, it’s cheap.) Repeat for the second set. Remember: since, unless you don’t mind trying to guess which bag belongs to which team, you’ll need to get two distinct colors.

Feed corn is widely available at feed stores. Avoid the temptation to just use popcorn; this stuff is coarser, larger, and, most importantly, the authentic filler of choice. It is also, conveniently, pretty cheap as well.

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