I love working with grain sacks. The fabric is so full of texture and history. My friend Ann works with grain sack fabric all of the time, and I thought it would be wonderful if she shared some of her favorite grain sack projects with us. Ann is a very talented seamstress, although I’m not sure if that is the politically correct term any more. Here she is!!
Hello…I’m Ann from On Sutton Place and I am so happy to be here today at Anita’s farmhouse. I was very pleased and honored when she asked me to guest post. When we were bouncing around what I would write about, she said something that made the decision very easy. She said “my readers love grain sacks.” That’s something we have in common because I do too. So let’s talk…about grain sacks.
When I first began my love affair with antique grain sacks it was as someone who thought they were out of reach. Surely they were too expensive and hard to find. I would see random pictures of grain sack stacks, or a grain sack upholstered chair and just sigh. It took me a while to figure out why I was so drawn to them. Antique grain sacks had a purpose and consequently, have a history all their own.
Just picture a woman, sitting in her farmhouse, stitching her family’s grain sacks by the light of the fire. The sacks were instrumental in getting a family’s grain to the mill and were personalized so they could be easily identified. Each family had their own stripe design, predominately blue or red. Many times the women making the sacks would embroider the family’s initials along the stripe. Here is a little ornament I made where I was able to include part of a monogram.
Antique grain sacks are a popular design trend and are used in all sorts of ways. As upholstery material, for pillow covers, table runners and various other textile furnishings. I think they are perfect in almost any style decor.
When I opened my online shop, I was determined to figure out a way to obtain the antique grain sacks easily and at a decent price. The easiest place to find them is on sites like eBay and Etsy. I have never found any at the antique malls in my area. If you are really lucky, and enjoy the hunt, you might find them at large antique shows or fairs. Grain sacks are out there…you just have to look, use search engines and spend time online to find them.
The average price for a grain sack in good shape is usually between $40 and $50. Bigger sacks and the ones with embroidered initials go for more. Sacks like the one pictured above with hand writing are amazing finds and can sometimes be less expensive. The rare colors, like yellow or green, are very pricey. Occasionally the actual rolls of hemp used to make the grain sacks can be found. Never used, it is very easy to work with. I have only ever purchased one roll of unused hemp. The day it arrived on my doorstep was truly unforgettable. The tote bag below was made from that roll of hemp.
Before I begin sewing, I wash every grain sack with a pod each of detergent and Oxiclean. I add fabric softener to the rinse cycle and then dry them all the way. It softens them a bit and hopefully takes care of any shrinkage. Depending on the width, sometimes I have to pick out the side seams in order to get the most out of the sack. Once in a while when I get to the bottom there are still bits of grain in the corners. It always makes me wonder about the woman who sewed the stitches that I just took out.
Sometimes I feel a bit sad when I cut into a piece of vintage fabric to “repurpose” it. I try to think of it as giving that fabric a second chance. Grain sacks are not being used any more for their original purpose. Instead of sitting in an attic or barn somewhere, I am lovingly bringing them back to life.
My best advice for sewing with grain sacks is to go slowly. Look at each bag for a while and think about the best way to use it. Once you cut, it’s all over. With each sack I sit at my sewing table and measure the length…several times. I decide what to make that will get the most bang for my buck. Although I love to make pillow covers, this ribbon made from the grain sack stripe is quickly becoming a favorite.
I’m certainly not an expert, but if you have a question about sewing with grains sacks I would be happy to try and answer. I currently have a few grain sack items in my shop, Sutton Place Designs. I’d love for you to come and take a look. Also…here is a sneak peek of what I will be listing very soon.
I’ve been sewing these little stockings since August! They may be petite but they are labor intensive. Totally a labor of love.
Thank you again to Anita for having me over. If you have a chance, stop by my blog and say hello. I’ll see you all on November 13th for another installment of DIY Tips and Tricks. Until then…
It’s Friday, so I’m sharing my friends’ blogs with you.
Thank you Ann. I’m also drawn to grain sacks. Those little stockings are adorable. Popping over to your site.
I’ve always loved the look of grain sacks but never worked with them. And I’d never thought of them in the historical context.
But your beautiful post made me realize the connection I have to grain sacks and why I should go on the hunt for them: my grandmother, widowed in her early 30s, became joint owner of the feed store in the small town in northwest Texas where I grew up. It sustained her family and got them through the Depression, and left my mother with bank stock and money of her own when she married. I’ve always been so proud of the independent woman that was my Mamaw, and I thank you for reminding me of one other legacy she left.
Thank you Anita for hosting Ann and thanks for a delightful post Ann. I’ve always been fascinated and collected vintage and antique textiles. Now my obsession is grain sacks. I’m waiting on my first ones to come in the mail now. Will be pursuing your shop shortly Ann. Have a blessed day ladies.
I have been quilting with vintage “feed sacks” for about 20 years. I have a large collection of pastel colors popular in the 20’s and 30’s. They are getting expensive and hard to find. I once left a comment on Anita’s Facebook that I was cleaning my garage and found a striped grain sack that I had used to hold rags forever. I washed it and made pillows for my gazebo.
Great idea Gloria!!!
I love everything you make, Ann!
Have a fun Halloween tonite, Anita- can you believe that the kids won’t be sweating out of their costumes this year?
Finally, a Halloween with fall temps!
Thank you to everyone for your lovely comments and another thank you to Anita for having me over. Happy Halloween!
Thank you so much for all the information, Ann,it was wonderful.Thank you Anita also,this was a wonderful post. You both have a great day.
Ann is so very talented and her creations are just exquisite!…Ann is a true artist!
Love this post! I love grain sacks sooo much too 😉
Hugs, Jamie
I have found a rough wide-weave sack (approx 25 X 48 inches). Is there anything I can do with it?
Would love to use it somehow in my European inspired decor with it’s French Country Kitchen.
Thanks, Irene
Yeah there isn’t much you can do with that type of grain sack. I wish I could warn people before people order these.
Hi Ann, I bought my first and only grain sack from Decor Steals. It is made of a very heavy hemp (not what I was expecting) and I really don’t know what to do with it. My original plan was to make a couple of pillows but this is really heavy/coarse. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Loved reading your blog post on grain sacks and your store is adorable!
Thanks,
Laurie
I don’t think you can work with that type of grain sack. I think a table runner might be your best bet.
Loved Ann’s commentary on the history of grain sacks. I am wondering how well they hold up as chair seat covers? I have kitchen chairs to recover. Any ideas?
I think they should hold up rather well.
Ann is so darned talented! I can sew, but not as well as she can. I loved reading about her experience with grain sacks. Thanks for collaborating!
Thanks for the wonderful ideas! I have 4 grain sacks I ordered from Ebay and I have been waiting to CUT until I found how I wanted to repurpose them! Your post just helped! Thanks!
susan
Hello. I am from South Africa and saw your delightful post while on Cedar Hill Farmhouse site. How beautiful the farmhouse is and how beautiful your items made with the grain sacks are. We don’t have access to as much as you do in USA, but I can’t covet…….Thank you for sharing.
I can remember when I was young my grandma would make me dresses out of feed sacks that had beautiful print designs on them How I wish I had one of those fabrics today. Thank you for sharing the information on the grain sacks.