Throughout the month of April, I will be posting about Vintage Feedsacks. Each post will be listed under the Vintage Feedsack and Quilt tab at the top of the blog.
In all of the 50's Farm Wife's diaries I own, she often writes about sewing, patching and quilting; making quilt blocks and strips, sewing aprons, dresses and curtains. She also writes of their trips to the mill to bring back 'sacks' of feed for the farms animals, as well as the 'Feed Man' coming to the Farm...a little later on, she does mention how she re-puporsed these sacks.
In all of the 50's Farm Wife's diaries I own, she often writes about sewing, patching and quilting; making quilt blocks and strips, sewing aprons, dresses and curtains. She also writes of their trips to the mill to bring back 'sacks' of feed for the farms animals, as well as the 'Feed Man' coming to the Farm...a little later on, she does mention how she re-puporsed these sacks.
So this is a perfect time to start writing and sharing snippets of the history of Feed Sacks, how these were used and how they continue to be cherished today.
Of course this will include lots of show n' tell photographs!!! If you are a collector or writer of this subject, I'd love to have you write in to me and send pics!
Utilitarian
In the late 1800s, it was discovered that food could be shipped easier in bags vs. barrels; Thrifty wives saw that utilizing the food bags (flour, sugar, salt, grains, etc) material, made great utilitarian fabric to make such things as wash clothes, dish towels, napkins, etc.
They also used the fabric to make diapers, night time garments and yes, even underwear!
When discussing feedsacks today, it's typical to envision those great depression era colors and patterns found in treasured quilts. But before we get into those, we'll continue sharing about the lovely, primitive and simple muslin flour sacks.
Today of course, you can buy muslin at any old fabric store, but it's not the same.
For me, there is just something special about picking up a true old primitive sack and wondering it's history. Likewise, it's amazing to find handmade items created back in the day where a busy, hard working gal didn't let anything go to waste; The ultimate recycler. Waste not, want not, my Grandma always said. Did yours?
Later feed sacks (in the photo above 'farm animal' feed); the advertising ink would need to be removed, prior to using the fabric (and later, manufacturers would actually print how to remove the ink right on the back of the sacks).
However, today, these sacks with advertising on them are prized and coveted! Currently very popular as the perfect farm home touch, a 'feedsack pillow', showing off the colorful advertising, sometimes including great graphics of Pigs, Cows, Chickens, etc.
Love hitting farm estate and country sales? I do! You have a good chance of scoring some sacks, if you are quick to hit up the sewing room and do a little digging. Finding full sacks, opened sacks, or partial remnants of sacks...I love it all!
Of course this will include lots of show n' tell photographs!!! If you are a collector or writer of this subject, I'd love to have you write in to me and send pics!
Utilitarian
In the late 1800s, it was discovered that food could be shipped easier in bags vs. barrels; Thrifty wives saw that utilizing the food bags (flour, sugar, salt, grains, etc) material, made great utilitarian fabric to make such things as wash clothes, dish towels, napkins, etc.
They also used the fabric to make diapers, night time garments and yes, even underwear!
When discussing feedsacks today, it's typical to envision those great depression era colors and patterns found in treasured quilts. But before we get into those, we'll continue sharing about the lovely, primitive and simple muslin flour sacks.
Stack of primitive old muslin flour sacks; L's collection.
Today of course, you can buy muslin at any old fabric store, but it's not the same.
For me, there is just something special about picking up a true old primitive sack and wondering it's history. Likewise, it's amazing to find handmade items created back in the day where a busy, hard working gal didn't let anything go to waste; The ultimate recycler. Waste not, want not, my Grandma always said. Did yours?
Circa 1950s Blue check Purina feed sack; L's collection
Later feed sacks (in the photo above 'farm animal' feed); the advertising ink would need to be removed, prior to using the fabric (and later, manufacturers would actually print how to remove the ink right on the back of the sacks).
However, today, these sacks with advertising on them are prized and coveted! Currently very popular as the perfect farm home touch, a 'feedsack pillow', showing off the colorful advertising, sometimes including great graphics of Pigs, Cows, Chickens, etc.
Part of L's private collection; Bright and fabulous; Vintage farm feed sacks, also known as seed sacks, feed bags, etc.
(heavy duty canvas like fabric, not muslin)
(heavy duty canvas like fabric, not muslin)
Love hitting farm estate and country sales? I do! You have a good chance of scoring some sacks, if you are quick to hit up the sewing room and do a little digging. Finding full sacks, opened sacks, or partial remnants of sacks...I love it all!
No comments:
Post a Comment