What You Need to Sew Cornhole Bags

A cornhole bag is a small fabric square filled with corn or sand, designed to be tossed at a board with a hole in it. To make one, you need fabric (usually duck canvas or similar sturdy material), filling material, a sewing machine or needle and thread, scissors, and a measuring tape. Most people use two fabric squares per bag—one for each side—sewn together with the filling inside.

The fabric should be heavy enough not to tear when filled and tossed repeatedly. Duck canvas, canvas, or heavy cotton twill all work well. Avoid thin fabrics like cotton sheets; they won't hold up to regular use. You can buy fabric by the yard at any fabric store, and a single yard makes many bags. Filling can be dried corn (the actual grain), play sand, or plastic pellets—corn is traditional and affordable, though sand is heavier and lasts longer.

A basic sewing machine makes the work faster and the seams stronger, but hand sewing with a needle and thread works fine if you take your time. You'll also need thread that matches or complements your fabric, scissors sharp enough to cut fabric cleanly, and a measuring tape or ruler.

Key Takeaways

  • Each cornhole bag is made from two 6-inch fabric squares sewn together on three sides, filled, then sewn closed on the fourth side.
  • Use heavy fabric like duck canvas or twill that won't tear when the bag is tossed and lands hard on the board.
  • A sewing machine produces faster, more even seams, but hand sewing with a needle and thread works if you sew a strong backstitch.
  • Dried corn is the traditional filling and costs less, but play sand is heavier and won't spoil if the bag gets wet.
  • Most people make bags in pairs that match, and a standard set for one board is eight bags (four of each color or pattern).

Cutting and Preparing Your Fabric Squares

Start by cutting your fabric into 6-inch squares. This is the standard size for cornhole bags—large enough to be straightforward to toss, small enough to fit through the hole on the board. Measure carefully with a ruler or measuring tape, and mark the corners with a pencil or fabric pen before cutting. Cut straight lines; uneven edges make the finished bag look sloppy and can fray more easily.

You need two squares per bag. If you're making a full set of eight bags (the standard for one cornhole board), cut 16 squares total. Cut them all at once if you can—it's faster than cutting them one pair at a time. Stack your fabric, measure once, and cut through multiple layers if your scissors are sharp enough.

After cutting, lay out your squares in pairs. You can sew matching pairs (both squares the same fabric) or mix colors and patterns for a striped or patchwork look. Arrange them the way you want the finished bags to look before you start sewing.

Sewing the Bag Seams on a Machine

Place two fabric squares with the right sides facing each other—this means the pretty side of the fabric is on the inside, and the rough edges face out. This way, when you turn the bag right-side-out later, the seams are hidden inside. Pin the two squares together to keep them from shifting while you sew.

Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch with a medium stitch length (around 2.5 on most machines). Sew along three of the four sides, staying about 1/4 inch from the edge. Start at one corner, sew down one side, across the bottom, and up the next side. Stop about 1/4 inch before the final corner. Leave the fourth side completely unsewn—this is where you'll turn the bag right-side-out and add the filling.

Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to lock the thread and prevent unraveling. If you're sewing multiple bags, sew all three sides on all your bags before moving to the next step. This is faster than finishing one bag completely before starting the next.

Hand Sewing If You Don't Have a Machine

Thread a needle with about 18 inches of thread and tie a knot at the end. Place your two fabric squares right sides together and pin them. Starting at one corner, push the needle through both layers about 1/4 inch from the edge. Use a backstitch: bring the needle up through both layers, then push it back down through the hole you just came out of, and come up again 1/4 inch ahead. This creates a solid line of overlapping stitches that won't come apart.

Sew down one side, across the bottom, and up the next side, leaving the fourth side completely unsewn. Keep your stitches small and tight—aim for stitches about 1/8 inch long. When you reach the end of a side, tie off the thread with a knot on the inside of the bag. Hand sewing takes longer than machine sewing, but the result is just as strong if your stitches are tight and close together.

Turning the Bag Right-Side-Out and Filling It

Once three sides are sewn, carefully turn the bag right-side-out through the open fourth side. Use your fingers to gently push the corners out so they're sharp and square, not rounded. The seams should now be hidden on the inside, and the pretty side of the fabric faces out.

Fill the bag with your chosen material. Use a funnel if you have one—it keeps the filling from spilling everywhere. Pour in enough filling so the bag is firm and holds its shape when you pick it up, but not so packed that it's hard as a rock. A standard cornhole bag weighs about 1 pound when filled. If you're using dried corn, fill until the bag feels substantial; if you're using sand, you may need slightly less because sand is denser.

Don't overfill. An overstuffed bag is harder to toss accurately and puts extra stress on the seams. You should be able to squeeze it slightly without the filling shifting dramatically inside.

Sewing the Opening Closed

Fold the raw edges of the open side inward about 1/4 inch, and pin them closed. This hides the raw edges and makes the final seam look neat. If you're using a sewing machine, sew along this opening with a straight stitch, staying close to the folded edge. Backstitch at the beginning and end.

If you're hand sewing, use the same backstitch you used for the other three sides. Sew slowly and carefully—this seam holds the filling in, so it needs to be strong. When you reach the end, tie off the thread securely on the inside with a knot.

Once the opening is sewn, your bag is complete. Repeat this entire process for each bag you're making. Most people make eight bags at a time (four of each color) so they have a full set ready to play with.

Finishing Touches and Storage

Trim any loose threads hanging from the seams. If the fabric edges are fraying, you can seal them with a thin line of fabric glue or fray-check liquid along the seams, though this is optional—cornhole bags don't need to look perfect, and a little fraying doesn't affect how they play.

Store your finished bags in a dry place. If you filled them with dried corn, keep them away from moisture; corn can absorb water and spoil. Sand-filled bags are more weather-resistant and can sit outside longer without damage. If a bag ever tears during play, you can repair it by sewing a patch of fabric over the tear on the inside, or by opening the seam, removing the old filling, and re-sewing it closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size should cornhole bags be?

Standard cornhole bags are 6 inches by 6 inches. This size is large enough to be straightforward to toss but small enough to fit through the hole in the board. Some casual players use slightly larger or smaller bags, but 6 inches is the official tournament size.

How much filling should I put in each bag?

A standard cornhole bag weighs about 1 pound when filled. Fill until the bag feels firm and holds its shape, but you should still be able to squeeze it a little. Overfilled bags are harder to toss accurately and put stress on the seams.

Can I use a different fabric besides canvas?

Canvas and duck canvas are best because they're heavy and durable, but you can use other sturdy fabrics like twill, denim, or heavy cotton. Avoid thin fabrics like regular cotton sheets—they tear too easily when the bag lands hard on the board.

What's the difference between corn and sand filling?

Dried corn is traditional and cheaper, but it can absorb moisture and spoil if the bags get wet. Play sand is heavier, lasts longer, and handles moisture better. Both work fine for casual play; choose based on your budget and whether your bags will be stored outside.

How long does it take to sew a set of eight bags?

On a sewing machine, you can finish eight bags in about two to three hours if you cut all the squares first and sew them assembly-line style. Hand sewing takes longer—probably four to six hours for a full set. The actual sewing time is short; most of the time goes to measuring, cutting, and filling.