A Bit About Feed Sacks

Feed sacks were in their glory in the 1930's when farm and rural families were economically burdened.  They fit the bill, thanks to some creative manufacturers, for clothing, towels, tablecloths and of course quilts.  Anyone who frequents estate sales today can attest that in that era, nothing was wasted, because waste meant not making the mortgage payment, not putting supper on the table, or not buying new clothes.

With scores of prints to choose from, buying feed, flour and even seed was less a matter of choosing the right grain than choosing what print was needed to start or finish whatever sewing project was in the works. 

Finding these gems in good condition is getting to be a rare occurrence.  Many have been thrown out with the trash (gasp!), others have been left to rot in a barn, while even more have already been chopped up for use in making or repairing a quilt.  The reproduction prints may come close, but nothing can compare to the real McCoy... such is the case with just about any reproduction!

We guarantee our feed sacks are genuine!

Jump to our Vintage Feed Sacks department

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The Flour Sack - A Poem

When I was just a maiden fair,
Mama made our underwear;
With many kids and Dad's poor pay,
We had no fancy lingerie.
Monograms and fancy stitches
Did not adorn our Sunday britches;
Pantywaists that stood the test
Had 'Gold Medal' on my breast.
No lace or ruffles to enhance
Just 'Pride of Bloomington' on my pants.
One pair of panties beat them all,
For it had a scene I still recall-
Harvesters were gleaning wheat
Right across my little seat.
Rougher than a grizzly bear
Was my flour sack underwear.
Plain, not fancy and two feet wide
And tougher than a hippo's hide.
All through Depression each Jill and Jack
Wore the sturdy garb of sack.
Waste not, want not, we soon learned
That a penny saved is a penny earned.
There were curtains and tea towels too,
And that is just to name a few,
But the best beyond compare
Was my flour sack underwear.

~author unknkown