We’ve all seen them: those old ashtrays with the metal top and the cloth sides. The cloth area contains beans or other weighty materials that hold the flimsy ashtray steady. Although you rarely see these types of ashtrays anymore they’re actually very easy to make. And, if you’ve already quit smoking you can use the simple ashtrays to burn cone incense or hold change. Make a larger version of the beanbag ashtray and you’ll have a basket you can use for organizing things in the kitchen, bathroom or a bedroom.
Although the beanbag ashtrays and baskets are really easy to make if you sew there is also a no-sew version that basically looks the same as the sewn one. To start, use a small, foil pan for the ashtray itself. The foil pans can be purchased at grocery stores and some dollar-theme stores but you might already have one. Some pot pies are still sold with the foil pans although now most pot pies are served in a cardboard pan. The small foil pan works perfectly to make the ashtray part of the assembly.
Choose the cloth you want to use as the sides and bottom of the beanbag ashtray. The fabric should be fairly thin but not so much that you can see through it. Stretchy types of material are not ideal. Thick fabrics, like denim or corduroy, are not exactly perfect, either. Turn the chosen material so that the right side of the cloth is facing downward. Turn the foil pan upside-down onto the fabric and draw around it. As you cut out the circle you’ve drawn cut out three inches or so away from the circle, all the way around. This will give you a circle that’s slightly larger than the actual foil pan.
If you sew you will start by folding the material over, a quarter-inch, all the way around the circle. Pin into place and stitch very close to the cut edge of the fabric. Now stitch a piece of eighth or quarter-inch elastic around the circle. It makes things harder if you try to pin elastic into the circle of fabric, so if you’re a beginner, follow these easy steps: set the end of the elastic onto any area of the circle, at the hemmed edge. Set the presser foot down and place the needle down into the elastic. Hold both the needle thread and the bobbin thread as you take a couple of stitches forward, then a couple of stitches back. Now hold the threads as you begin sewing, slightly tugging on the elastic as you go along. Don’t pull hard on the elastic and make sure you stay close to the edge, all the way around. After a few stitches you can let go of the needle and bobbin thread and hold the fabric instead. Go slowly for best results. Elastic is straight and wants to be sewn in a straight manner, but with the circle you’re sewing, you’ll need to sew it in so that it is sewn into a circular shape. Speeding up as you’re sewing can cause the elastic to straighten up rather than to hug the curve of the circle.
After sewing the elastic all the way around you’re ready to proceed with the assembly of the ashtray. Fill the circle with a handful or two of dry beans or peas. Even rice can be used as a substitution. Fill the circle so that it’s about two-thirds of the way full. Position the foil pan on top of the beans and stretch the elastic so that it encircles the pan. Glue the elastic edge of the circle around the side edges of the pan. Keep the elastic so that it’s just under the lip of the pan.
If you don’t sew you’ll have to use a slightly different technique. After cutting the circle of material use glue to create a hem. After it’s dry you can begin gluing the fabric directly to the foil pan – after filling it with beans or peas. For best results, glue one hemmed edge under the lip of the pan. Go to the opposite side of the circle and glue an area of the hemmed edge to the pan. If the circle of cloth were the face of a clock you would glue at the “12 and 6”, then the “3 and 9” areas. Continue doing this, gluing one place and then its opposite, until the circle is completely attached to the foil pan.
Make much larger versions by using a regular pie pan instead of a miniature one. These types can be used to hold hot bread and similar items on the table. Instead of pie pans, set a plastic container in the beanbag, and you’ll make any number of basket organizers. Use these organizers for craft supplies, soaps and rolled wash cloths, spices, small toys, medications and more.
After creating the beanbag you want there are many choices for the bowl or tray that will be featured on top. You can use shallow bowls, wicker baskets, wire baskets and even deli tray lids. Instead of making only circular beanbags you can also make squares and rectangles. Simply follow the same instructions for the circle to make the other shapes. There are many uses for the finished organizers, ashtrays and baskets, and since they’re so simple to make, you know exactly what you’re giving your friends for their birthdays this year!
