Cornhole Cornhole

93 responses so far ↓

• 1 jeff1947 // May 15, 2007 at 2:47 pm

  Seems also if you leave your bags out overnight, a corn-loving animal may make off with them. I now have to make a new set of bags because some critter took one and ran into the woods with it!

• 2 Ryan // Jun 8, 2007 at 3:08 pm

  When filling the bags with corn, what type of corn is actually used, popcorn or real corn?

• 3 admin // Jun 10, 2007 at 9:05 pm

  Whole (not cracked) animal feed corn is the most popular corn used as bag fill. Have fun!

• 4 Duane // Jun 16, 2007 at 10:10 am

  Seem’s like the new bags I have have too much dust. We have trouble because the bags are so slick. We can’t keep them on the boards at all. I was wondering if there was a way to accelerate the reduction of the dust to get the bags to stick a little bit better.

• 5 Eric // Jun 16, 2007 at 1:26 pm

  Hi Duane,

  I would suggest is maybe beating your bags against you sidewalk. This should roughen the outside of your bags and start to break down the corn. Slick bags really hard to adjust to.

• 6 Kristy // Jun 18, 2007 at 1:34 pm

  Hi all! Couple of questions….When filling your bags, what should the moisture content of the corn be? We were thinking less than 12%, but wanted to check for official numbers. Also, what are the dimensions of the bags and are there specific weight requirements when filling? Thanks!

• 7 Heather // Jun 19, 2007 at 10:51 pm

  I was wondering what size the demensions of the cornhole bags should be. I know they are to be made of the “duck cloth ” . Also, they are supposed to weigh a pound too, right?

• 8 Eric // Jun 20, 2007 at 10:48 pm

  Hello all,

  Cornhole bags should be one pound in weight. Duck cloth is the most preferred material choice. Bag dimensions should be 6″x6″. As for the moisture content, I wouldn’t worry much about the moisture %. Feed corn sold retail is the most recommended choice. You can pick it up at Tractor Supply or even Wal-Mart.

  Have fun building!!

• 9 RW // Jun 23, 2007 at 5:46 pm

  I’m having the same problem that Duane mentioned. The new bags I just purchased are giving off more dust than any other set I’ve played with in over 5 years.

  It’s more like air hockey than cornhole. I went from 90% on the boards to around 10%. There has to be something wrong with the corn. Any ideas as to what could be wrong?

• 10 Eric // Jun 24, 2007 at 9:32 am

  Could it be that the bags were filled with cracked corn rather than whole kernel corn?

• 11 vanessa // Jun 26, 2007 at 12:07 am

  1. it says double stitched for the bags, does that mean 2 seams on the inside before you turn them right side outwards or topstitched on the outside after you turn them right side outwards
  2. do you have to have two squares sewed together or can you cut one rectangle, fold in half, and just have to sew up three sides

• 12 Eric // Jun 26, 2007 at 8:42 pm

  Hi Vanessa,

  1. Two seams on the inside before you turn y0ur fabric rite side outwards.
  2. Folding the rectangle will work just fine.

  Enjoy your game!!

• 13 Suzi // Jun 27, 2007 at 2:39 pm

  From reading on the official cornhole site it says the basg should weigh between 14 and 16 ounces.

  Question on stitching….one site I checked out said to stitch the bags again on the outside. I have never seen bags like this before. Do you know if this is common at all?

  Thanks,
  Suzi

• 14 Eric // Jun 27, 2007 at 9:24 pm

  Hi Suzi,

  You got it on the weight. One pound is the standard bag weight.

  I have never seen or played with bags that were stiched on the outside. Seems odd, but I guess you similar outcome. However, most bags are stiched on the inside and the last edge or corner is sewn on the outside.

  Hope this helps!

• 15 Shawn // Jul 1, 2007 at 12:40 pm

  What kind of dust do u use and how much?

• 16 Shawn // Jul 1, 2007 at 12:42 pm

  What type of dust do u put in the bags and how much?

• 17 Eric // Jul 1, 2007 at 8:26 pm

  Hello Shawn,

  Sorry for the confusion. The dust isn’t something you add to the bags. It is just eventually created over time after playing with you bags. When the corn breaks down it creates a dust.

• 18 Gary M // Jul 3, 2007 at 8:24 pm

  i read 12oz

• 19 Diane // Jul 4, 2007 at 9:40 am

  We built our own boards and painted them with exterior latex paint. We applied a spray clear gloss finish, but the boards are not slippery. The bags will not slide. Any suggestions to get them moving? We’ve put a lot of time and money into the paint and want to use the boards. thanks for any feedback.

• 20 Eric // Jul 4, 2007 at 9:49 am

  Hi Diane,
  Was the surface of your boards smooth to start with? A low grade plywood might have too rough a surface. Your paint choices seem fine. It could be your bags. Will they slide on other boards? You might read some notes above about bag suggestions. Keep in mind that some slide is good, but you might regret if you really get your boards moving. It really is a lot more difficult to play on really slick boards.

• 21 Rob // Jul 9, 2007 at 8:51 am

  Diane,
  Just take some normal paste wax (minwax or Jonstons paste wax found at home depot) to the board - that will slick it up.

  You can even try automotive wax.

• 22 mark // Jul 10, 2007 at 1:03 pm

  adding clear gloss should be done in several thin layers and fine sanded between each coating.3 or4 coats seems idea for me.we like a slick board because it adds to the fun and competition of the game.furniture polish will make your board slick.if your bags are make to small and you put one pound of corn in them,there fat and they will roll in stead of slide.

• 23 james // Jul 16, 2007 at 11:13 pm

  any idea what the rough % of players using whole kernal corn vs. plastic corn pellets is?

  I think I prefer a heavier bag and the kernal corn is 16 oz vs. the plastic corn at 14 oz

  I’ve never seen anyone get a lot of slide with their bags so the dust doesn’t really seem to do much but … create dust and cloud up your board … plus, I want my bags to stick where they land with minimal slide - just like a good golf shot

  I just can’t decide which way to go …

• 24 Eric // Jul 17, 2007 at 9:09 pm

  James,

  In Cincinnati, there is definitely a preference for corn filled bags. I would say at least 90% of the bags in this region are filled with corn.

  In the end it still just comes down to preference.

  Hope that helps!

• 25 Bill // Jul 25, 2007 at 8:31 pm

  Were can you buy the plastic pellet a

  Bill

• 26 Eric // Jul 27, 2007 at 9:29 pm

  Hi Bill,

  Try Micheals, the arts and crafts store.

• 27 Carane // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:04 pm

  Are the corn bags 6″ X 6″ before they are stuffed or after they are stuffed with the corn?

• 28 Eric // Aug 6, 2007 at 11:03 pm

  Hello Carane,

  Bags should be 6″x6″ after they are stuffed, 7″x7″ before.

• 29 Linda // Aug 31, 2007 at 11:10 pm

  If I am making the bags out of duck cloth would it be good to wash the material first to soften it a little or would that ot work.

• 30 Eric // Sep 8, 2007 at 11:02 pm

  Great idea Linda! I don’t see any trouble with that at all. I haven’t washed the material in the past, but I think that might help soften it just as you suspect.

• 31 Matt // Sep 15, 2007 at 5:50 pm

  So I’ve seen instructions to stitch the bags with 1/4 inch seams and 1/2 inch seams. I’ve got 7 inch squares cut out. I’m guessing you would probably just want 1/4 inch seams so that you take up about 1/2 inch of the width resulting in a bag that is approximately 6 & 1/2 inches before filling. Is this correct?

• 32 Eric // Sep 15, 2007 at 9:27 pm

  You got it Matt!! Then, after you fill the bag you’ll end up with 6″x6″ bag.

• 33 Connie // Sep 28, 2007 at 1:23 am

  DON’T WASH the duck cloth. I tried to wash and dye some material for a certain color and it totally unraveled.

• 34 Eric // Sep 29, 2007 at 8:28 am

  I think the key to washing the material would be to first run a hem around the outside to keep it from falling apart. Either way, it’s not really necessary to wash the material first. It really doesn’t take that much game play to break them in.

• 35 Jamie // Sep 30, 2007 at 4:20 pm

  What exactly is duck cloth and where can you find it?

• 36 Eric // Sep 30, 2007 at 9:38 pm

  Hello Jamie,

  Duck cloth is just a type of canvas. It should be able to be found at any fabric store.

• 37 Gary // Oct 9, 2007 at 9:18 am

  What about sand for bag fill?…. or is this grounds for eternal cornhole banishment?

• 38 Eric // Oct 10, 2007 at 9:23 pm

  Hey Gary,

  LOL. I say banishment! Just kidding. I think you might just loose a lot of the fill over time through the fabric. Not really sure though. I have never tried it.

• 39 John // Oct 18, 2007 at 11:16 pm

  Do you know where I can find large decals or stickers for the boards.Do you think it would effect the slid of the boards?

• 40 Eric // Oct 21, 2007 at 8:40 am

  Hi John,

  You could try a local print shop for decals. Most of them can print/cut just about anything from vinyl. A local sports shop should also have decals of your favorite team if that’s what your after.

  Vinyl is pretty slick and will still allow your bags to slide. You could also apply a clear lacquer if you want to protect the decals and be sure to keep some good slide. Check this post out for comments on lacquer.

  http://www.cornholecornhole.com/how-to-choose-the-perfect-material-for-your-cornhole-boards

  Has anybody else seen a great place online to find decals?

• 41 sarah // Oct 24, 2007 at 3:57 pm

  so in making the bags, do you have to sew the final side by hand (stitching inside the bag so you don’t see the seam from the outside) after you have turned the bag inside right and filled it with corn? and if so, how do you create the double seam on that final side?

• 42 Eric // Oct 24, 2007 at 9:45 pm

  Sarah,

  Sounds like you have the idea. Double stitch 3 sides and about half of the fourth while inside out. Turn them right side out. Fill them. Then hand stitch the last few inches of the last edge to finish them off.

• 43 Charlene // Dec 20, 2007 at 1:05 pm

  I put pea gravel in my bags. That way thay don’t mildew, if they get wet . Also if left in garage the mice will not eat them.

• 44 becky // Jan 13, 2008 at 1:07 pm

  Our Wal-Mart here has the duck cloth for $4.97 a yard.60″ wide. (Some Wal-marts have eliminated their fabric department.) Their color choices are pretty limited. They had navy, white, red, black, natural, and two others, I can’t remember.We needed gray and they didn’t have it. I don’t recomend washing the fabric as it washes out the finish on the fabric and isn’t as professional looking a job. It’s not like you are going to need it pre-shrunk. We got our whole kernal feed corn at the feed store for $5.15 for 25 pounds.

  Jo-Ann has it for 6.99 a yard- 60′ wide, but we are on their mailing list, so we had a coupon, and they had the colors I needed. I used 1/4 yd. of two different colors, for a total of 1/2 yard fabric. We made ours scarlet and gray for somewhat obvious reasons. We live in Columbus OH

• 45 chris // Apr 2, 2008 at 3:45 pm

  I want to experiment with plastic pellets in my bags. anyone have ideas on where i can get pellets that will fit in the 6″ bags and also weight 1lb?

• 46 Eric // Apr 5, 2008 at 10:27 am

  Chris,
  You should be able to find plastic pellets at your local arts and crafts store. Michael’s or Hobby Lobby will have them. 3/8 or 1/4 inch will work well.

• 47 Peggy // May 7, 2008 at 6:35 pm

  I made the beanbags using directions on the internet, but the seams broke. I was told to use 1/4″ seam allowance on all 4 sides. This is too shallow as the edges unravelled. I think 1/2″ seam allowance is better. What size needle should be used? I used a jean weight and I think it make too big a hole for the thread. Any suggestions? I have to make a new set. Also, my daughter only wants me to fill the bags to 14oz. Will this be enough? Should the bags be flimsy or stuffed?

• 48 SuzieQ // May 7, 2008 at 6:39 pm

  This game rocks

• 49 Eric // May 7, 2008 at 10:27 pm

  Hi Peggy,
  You really don’t need a big needle if you use duck cloth. It’s pretty easy to work with. I haven’t used denim before but I imagine it isn’t much harder to work with. I would stick with the 16oz. Most will prefer it as it’s really the standard weight. It really depends on who’s playing. I am surprised you had that problem with the 1/4″. Make sure you are double stitching.

• 50 Highlife4me // May 8, 2008 at 6:32 am

  Anyone know how long this game has been around. I built my 1st set over 15 yrs ago.

• 51 Jim // May 26, 2008 at 6:46 pm

  I know there are many places to obtain a set of Corn Hole boards but is there any where to purchase a really beautiful set. Other than making my own.

  Thanks!

• 52 Linda // Jun 3, 2008 at 9:49 pm

  I came across a good buy on 4 lb. pinto beans , so I thought I would give them a try. I know it isn’t bean-hole, but the bags are filled and I want to give them to my step-son for his upcoming birthday. (He made his own board, but doesn’t have any bags.) This is the first I have heard about the dust. Wonder if the beans will make dust? Also I double-bagged these. How many rules did I break?

• 53 Eric // Jun 3, 2008 at 9:57 pm

  LOL Linda….The number rule is have fun playing Cornhole!

• 54 Tim // Jun 7, 2008 at 9:59 pm

  Hey, I just made a board and made the hole 7″ wide. Should I make the bags 8″ X 8″ prestitch and 7″ X 7″ afterwards to match the size of the hole?

• 55 Eric // Jun 8, 2008 at 4:11 pm

  Hey there Tim,
  The standard final bag size is 6×6″. You’d start with 7×7″ of material and use a 1/4″ seam. When the bag is filled it results in a 6×6″ bag.

• 56 stephanie // Jun 13, 2008 at 10:42 pm

  i have no idea where you can get corn feed. i live in royal oak, MI. does anyone know where you can find it??

• 57 Eric // Jun 14, 2008 at 10:51 pm

  Stephanie,
  Tractor Supply has feed corn if you have one nearby. You can also probably find it in the bird/squirrel feed section of your local superstore. It probably wouldn’t be as cheap but they should have it.

• 58 Peg // Jun 29, 2008 at 3:03 pm

  I purchased a cornhole set but my son thought the bags were too light. I purchased a food scale and it works great to check the weight. I got to your sight to find out the offical weight. I need to add weight to the purchased set and I plan on using the plastic pellets to avoid bugs and mice.
  I sew, and I think there is a discrepancy about the seam size that people have talked about. Cut the pieces to 7″x7″. Sew 1/2″ seams. Start 1 inch before the first corner, sew the other three sided and go another inch on the fourth side. Re-sew the exact way but at 1/4″ (this reinforces the seams so that they don’t burst). Turn the bags inside out, fill, and then you can machine sew or hand stitch the opening. With 1/2″ seams on each side you end up with a 6×6 bag (1/2″ on each side makes the bag 1″ smaller :). If you only use the 1/4″ seam the material will pull apart under stress (and your bags will end up at 6-1/2 x 6-1/2). Hope this helps. And thanks for the info on the weight - I’m off to Michaels now!

• 59 travis // Jul 2, 2008 at 2:48 pm

  A lot of plastic pellets are hydroscopic,which means they absorbe moisture the bags with plastic pellets would vary in weight,in different climates.

• 60 Les // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:40 am

  I found the feed corn at Tractor Supply. They had 50lb sacks for less than $20. I didn’t need that much so I bought 11lb bags that I found in the bird feed section for about $6. I would use 50lbs eventually, but my concern was storing it and attracting mice, bug, etc.

• 61 Nathan // Jul 7, 2008 at 7:44 pm

  So, I live in Orlando and I have been searching far and wide at all the local arts and crafts stores, but I cannot find any plastic pellets anywhere. People keep pointing me in the direction of bean bag filling which is far to small. I was hoping that someone might have some insight on the Orlando area, so that I may be pointed in the right direction. Or if anyone has any ideas as to an alternative to filling with plastic pellets that is not corn feed or beans, that would suffice also.

  Thanks!

  Nate

• 62 Adam // Jul 11, 2008 at 3:11 pm

  I made my boards and Painted them with an exterior semi gloss paint. The paint seems a little “sticky” and the bags dont slide as well. I asked around and was told that exterior paints are made to be more elastic to hold up to the elements and that is what causes the “sticky” feel. It is better to use interior paint or spray paint that dries hard.
  My bags have held up well and to break them in faster I threw them in the dryer on no heat and bounced them around in there for 20 mins!
  It gets the dust going and loosens up the cloth.

• 63 Eric // Jul 15, 2008 at 6:47 am

  Hi Nathan,
  You might just search around on the net. Here is one place I found. http://www.dollstuffing.com/

• 64 Eric // Jul 15, 2008 at 7:07 am

  Hey Adam,
  Sometimes really cheap or old paint could have some trouble, but in general exterior latex paints will eventually dry hard. After you play with your bags and boards for a short time, and break everything in, you’ll notice they get slicker. Great idea to throw your bags in the dryer!

• 65 Bonnie // Aug 6, 2008 at 11:41 am

  We are a custom uphlostry store and have many fabric remants. Do you think that type of fabric would hold up to corn hole tossing?

• 66 Eric // Aug 10, 2008 at 9:49 pm

  Hi Bonnie,
  Hard telling really without seeing it, but my guess is it’s pretty tough stuff. Most upholstery is made to hold up to a lot of abuse. It’s probably worth a try if you’re just using left overs.

• 67 Denise Meyer // Aug 23, 2008 at 8:21 pm

  Thanks for everyone’s ideas and suggestions. My daughter is an Occupational Therapy Grad student and she is making a Cornhole game for the Rehabiliation Center of the hospital she is doing her clinicals at. They will use the game as therapy for their patients. I love the suggestion about the plastic pellets as some of the patients may have allergies!

• 68 John Freeborn // Aug 24, 2008 at 8:19 pm

  Apparently I am using the wrong stitching on the cornhole bags or not doing something correctly since the bags are unraffling at the seams when being used. Can you tell me what I need to do to correct this problem. Thank you

• 69 Pat // Aug 25, 2008 at 7:06 pm

  How do you keep the material from pulling apart? The bags I made are not coming apart at the stitches, but the material has pulled apart at the stitches. I have tried double stitching and the duck canvas is still ripping at the stitch line.Thanks for any help!

• 70 Linda // Aug 25, 2008 at 8:09 pm

  Duck material is very prone to unraveling very easily. What is happening is the corn is rubbing against the edges of the material and unraveling it making it look like it is pulling apart at the stitches. I usually zigzag the edges of the material or serge it to stop it from raveling.

• 71 David // Aug 28, 2008 at 2:03 pm

  ok, I have only seen/played on baggo purchaseds boards. It seems these are smaller, (2′ x 3′) is this true. what is the difference? I plan to make a set and I am curious what I should be building because around this area most people are playing with these purchased sets…. does this make any sense to you?

• 72 Craig // Aug 29, 2008 at 8:26 am

  A possible hint: put the corn in plastic sandwich bags and then place in cloth bag before closure. Prevents moisture from getting to the corn. Personally, it seems the plastic bag would break down easily from the friction and pounding.

• 73 Nikoli // Aug 29, 2008 at 12:02 pm

  I’ve been making bags for a few years. Started out single stitching, which ended up ripping after one or two games. Tried double stitching, a little better but still blew out a few bags right away. Now I always triple stitch, seems to have solved the ripping issue. Also DO NOT overfill them, the bags will just bounce off the boards…and even get stuck in the hole! Filling by feel seems to work best, you know when you have a good fill, it just feels right.

• 74 Chris // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:23 pm

  I stored my 8 cornhole bags in a bag in a closet in our house. I guess the humid summer was bad and all the cornhole bags grew mold. Any suggestions for storing them and keeping them dry?

• 75 david // Sep 18, 2008 at 6:40 pm

  hint. make sure to use a strong thread when sewing your bags,and it is very important that you use large stitches.im refering of the numbers of stitches per inch. to of little of stitches,will weaken the seam. thanks. david J.

• 76 patricia // Sep 22, 2008 at 8:08 am

  i cut my fabric at 14×7 that way you only have3 seams. I also used my seal-a-meal to seal the corn in prevents moisture getting to the corn, Cut the plastic bags at 6×6 fill with corn seal. DO (NOT USE VACUM SETTING). THESE WORK GREAT WITHOUT THE DUST COMMING OUT.

• 77 Eric // Oct 10, 2008 at 10:46 pm

  Chris - A big Tupperware container should do the trick.

• 78 Eric // Oct 10, 2008 at 10:49 pm

  Great idea Patricia!

• 79 Eric // Oct 10, 2008 at 10:55 pm

  Hey David - Baggo boards are smaller than than standard 2×4 ft boards. It probably depends on where you live and who’s playing on what. The standard sized boards are preferred all around Cincinnati without a doubt. I would think this is true of most other places as well. If you are looking to play the true game of Cornhole, you’ll want to make 2×4 ft boards.

• 80 Gary // Jan 1, 2009 at 11:07 pm

  I make my own boards and bags for gifts.
  I use 1/2 inch plywood and 1 x 4 sides. Paint a one inch color around the edge and then clear gloss polyurethane over the entire board. Four to five coats makes for a slick, fun filled game. The bags are duck cloth with whole feed corn. Have never had problems with coming apart. Use double stiching. Just finished my 6th set as gifts. Have fun!!

• 81 Brandon // Mar 21, 2009 at 6:55 pm

  What kind of thread do I need to use?

  Thanks!!

• 82 Eric // Mar 24, 2009 at 9:24 pm

  Hey Brandon,
  Not too sure about the different thread material types but just look for thread labeled “heavy duty”. This sort of thread is used for upholstery jobs and that sort of thing. It will hold up best to the abuse the bags take.

• 83 Pat // Apr 17, 2009 at 1:17 pm

  Making corn hole bags. Someone suggested putting the corn on a baking pan and putting it in the oven at 250 for an hour so you do not get bugs. Does anyone know anything about this?

• 84 Margaret // Apr 26, 2009 at 9:09 pm

  We left our bags in a tupperware/rubbermaid type conatiner in our garage and they got extremely moldy. I guess you should leave them inside where the moisture won’t get to them

• 85 ronnie // May 6, 2009 at 8:24 pm

  can anybody help me ,i was wondering if team decals are a better way to make youre board ,or buy stickers ,and spray with a gloss sealer? thanks

• 86 sarah // May 13, 2009 at 7:32 pm

  where can you purchase corn filled bags? I live in Greenville, SC.

  A tip for storing your corn filled bags put them in the freezer. (or frig.)

• 87 BRUCE // May 17, 2009 at 10:44 pm

  HELP! GOT BUGS IN MY HOME MADE BAGS.
  (48 OF THEM) WHAT TO DO. MADE OF FEED CORN. LITTLE BLACK BUGS THAT LOOK LIKE PEPPER. FREEZER OR OVEN TO KILL THEM? MABY INJECT THEM WITH ?.

• 88 gail // May 22, 2009 at 10:59 pm

  The first time I put together my bags I used the corn. They didn’t last the season because they got left out over night several times and got moldy. This time I used pea gravel. I’ve got the same “feel” as the corn plus the dust that you want too. Works for us!

• 89 peter // May 29, 2009 at 3:55 pm

  for storing bags:
  to avoid moisture, store them in a container and put rice in the container with them (as do people with pepper shakers). The rice should absorb any moisture.

  I am also wondering how to get a “team decal” on my boards. Should I get stickers, and just paint a clear coat over them? I am using a polyurethane finish. (normal gloss level)

• 90 Capt. Rick // Jun 11, 2009 at 12:39 pm

  Still wondering if anyone knows where game originated and what you do for that bug problem

• 91 Grace H. // Jun 14, 2009 at 10:12 pm

  I don’t know what pellets you were originally intending, but maybe consider the pellets for air-soft type toy guns…
  Personally, I’m off to try out aquarium gravel - it should still ‘dust’ without the mold and critter issues.

• 92 Travis // Jun 15, 2009 at 10:25 am

  The game is cornhole.not pelletthole,not gravelhole.Put corn in bags and take care of them.

• 93 Lizzy // Jun 15, 2009 at 7:41 pm

  Hey Capt Rick? Placing things in the freezer WILl kill the bugs, just as putting Animal Food such as Dog Food in the Freezer to kill any ants that have ants in it. ….ALSO: for anyone that knows how to sew, doing a FRENCH SEAM is the Perfect way to re-enforce the seams with Heavy Duty Thread. (you can always double stitch it, but do a French Seam, this finishes it to where there is absolutely NO threads inside or out !!!!!! also DO not wash the DUCK CLOTH, you can always spray a repellent on the finished product, to protect the fabric.

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