Feed Sacks – (Call for Stories!) Mother Necessity’s Sewing Champion

feedsack-stack-MSQC

Feed sacks are the perfect example of a utilitarian product turned into something beautiful. Our friend Janine Vangool (creator of UPPERCASE magazine) recently introduced us to a forthcoming book from UPPERCASE, written by author Linzee Kull McCray, who explores the history of the humble feed sack, from a plain burlap or cotton sack to exuberantly patterned and colourful bags that were repurposed into frocks, aprons and quilts by thrifty housewives in the first half of the 20th century. Extensive imagery and at-scale reproductions of these fabrics create an inspiring sourcebook of pattern and colour—and offer a welcome visit to a slower-paced way of life.

screenshot

We just love to hear your stories of quilts and quilt tops made by mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers, and so many of these heirlooms are made from feed sacks. They were often made from scraps left over from sewing clothing for their children. This makes them gorgeous artifacts of a time gone by, when women found a way to make something beautiful from every bit of leftover fabric they had.

While there’s plenty of history on feed sacks and the ways they were used, we’re looking for more personal stories from the people who experienced them firsthand. We’d love to hear your stories and answers to the following questions:

  • Do you have a feed sack quilt made by a female relative?
  • Did you or someone you know ever wear a garment made from feed sacks?
  • How and where did they get the sacks?
  • What kinds of things did they make with them?
  • How did they feel about feed sack clothing/household linens?
  • Do you have any connections to historical feed sack manufacturers, designers or things of note?

To answer these questions and have your story included in this publication,  please fill out the survey form HERE! We can’t wait to hear from you! The form will close on July 25th, so don’t wait!

If you’d like to know more about the book, check it out HERE!