Pillows were next on my sewing list. I've made a few for the slip-covered chase (thank you for the lovely comments btw), but also decided to make more bean bag bed warmers from the left-over fabric.
These are about 9 x 4-inches, having started with a 10-inch square; folded in half and filled with (dry) navy beans and two thimblefuls of dried lavender. In the past I've used other beans, pearl rice, flax seed, or legume.
Basically the filler material needs to be dry and something that can withstand heating in a microwave for a minute or two. Do not use ceramic balls or baking weights--they may ignite the cloth!
Another thing. If you use beans or rice, don't get them wet. I had a little mishap with a bean bag that got gathered up with the sheets when I washed them. What a surprise to find that it had expanded to the size of a brick and was just as dense, having been filled with pinto beans.
It was funny. We laughed hysterically at that bloated blob. I was just so grateful that the stitching had held together. And that it had not exploded inside the washer.
Oh my. A mess I don't even want to think about.
I am sitting here, in the dark, after midnight, laughing like a fool at the mental picture your brick of beans just evoked ROFL!!!!
Thank goodness for strong stitches ;)
Posted by: Tuesday | March 01, 2007 at 12:38 AM
Close call!!
Posted by: Jan | March 01, 2007 at 05:39 AM
Oh man, wet bag o' beans in the washer = yuck! When Jack was little I used to use one of those rice sacks to try and help and alleviate some of his tummy issues.
Posted by: Sarah | March 01, 2007 at 06:18 AM
I love where you have the chaise placed now near your bookshelves. It seems as if it's the perfect reading spot. Speaking from someone who has a chaise in her bedroom that frequently ends up with clothes on it.
Posted by: Cindy | March 01, 2007 at 06:24 AM
Ohh the bean story is kind like a little mini-horror story isn't it.. yikes. But I love the idea of these little bean bags. You're so creative. I love reading your blog.
Posted by: pam | March 01, 2007 at 07:08 AM
How funny (fortunately...it was funny!) for you and the girls! But I also love the little bean bags, I'll have to make some right away for my cold toes. Such a clever girl you are...
Posted by: Kim | March 01, 2007 at 07:11 AM
I would have loved to see a picture of that brick. Too funny.
Posted by: Jennifer | March 01, 2007 at 07:18 AM
Doing laundry always has so many issues, I wonder why we do it at all.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | March 01, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Lovely Toile! And the bean bags are WONDERFUL against cold toes at night! I have a few made from corn (field corn) and pop them into the foot of the bed before I get my jammies on. Pure heaven to slip into bed. If you make them with a little slip-on cover like a pillow sham (sides overlapping in the middle) then it's easy to slip that off and wash when needed.
I can feel your horror at what Could Have happened! So glad you were spared THAT mess!
Posted by: Denise | March 01, 2007 at 01:47 PM
Bean Bags...what a warm idea!
Posted by: Rona | March 01, 2007 at 08:21 PM
Oh my what a visual of the beans, so glad the ending of that tale was a happy one!!
Posted by: Natasha | March 02, 2007 at 07:36 AM
Those bean bag things are adorable. And I love the bed skirt. You have great taste. Oh, and do you have any PB sheets? They are amazing. I love the sheets we have from there. So much so that every single night I get into bed I think about it. Now that's a good set of sheets.
Posted by: Allie from Minneapolis | March 02, 2007 at 04:26 PM