How to make an otedama beanbag

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one beanbag, standard size)

• Fabric (chirimen crepe or cotton) — about 9 × 19 cm × 2; scraps are fine
• Filling (poly pellets, azuki beans or Job's tears) — about 65 g
• Hand-sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Baby” → “Otedama beanbag” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the short and long sides of the fabric. Presets cover small, standard and large.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Lay the pattern on the wrong side and trace both lines.
2. Cut the pieces
   Cut two identical rectangles. Two different prints give a chequered finish.
3. Transfer the notches
   Mark the middle of each long side. That is where they cross.

4. Sewing

4-1. Cross the two pieces

1. Lay the two rectangles right sides together at right angles, forming a cross.
2. Where they overlap is a square. Sew two opposite sides of that square, matching the center notches.
3. Only two sides. Leave the other two.

4-2. Make it a loop

1. Open out what you have sewn and the cross becomes one long strip.
2. Bring the two ends right sides together and sew them into a loop.
3. You now have a bag with four openings.

4-3. Sew three sides and fill

1. Sew three of the four openings closed, keeping the corners meeting neatly.
2. Turn right side out through the fourth.
3. Add the filling — about 65 g of pellets, roughly 60% full.

4-4. Close it

1. Close the last opening with ladder stitch.
2. Two passes with small stitches keeps the filling in.
3. Square up the shape and it is done.

✏️ Do not overfill. Packed tight, the corners stand out, it stings the hand when caught, and the seams split. At about 60% you get that characteristic soft landing. For a baby, use poly pellets rather than beans — they will not spoil with damp, and they are large enough not to be a choking risk if one escapes.

5. Tips & variations

• Two prints: using a different fabric for each piece gives a chequerboard finish.
• Change the sound: pellets whisper, azuki beans rustle, Job's tears rattle.
• For juggling: make three at the standard size if you want to practice properly.