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From: Bama
Date: 05-04-2006, 12:34 AM (1 of 24)
A friend of mine gave me a box of vintage fabric scraps after she started cleaning out her mother's house that she's inherited. She asked me if I could use something like that. When I looked through it I said, "Are you kidding? Of course I can."  It looks to me like prints from the 40's and some from the 50's. Lots of bubble gum pink, mint green, light blue, and red. Mostly small scale prints, some large florals that look 50's-ish. The pieces vary from about 10" squares to 1/3 yard. There were also a couple of quilt blocks that her mother pieced and her newsprint templates she used. I think she was amazed that I was thrilled over a box of scraps.  She doesn't sew.She asked if I could stop by her house on my way home from work. When I got there she gave me a trash bag full of larger cuts of similiar prints. We scanned through it and I pulled out an old flour sack with "Lion Brand" stamped on it. I told her what it was and she asked if I mind if she kept that one. She said she had no use for the rest and was happy I could use it. She almost threw it all away! I sorted through it some more tonight so I could wash it and found a couple of printed feed sacks that are still stitched together. I thought wow! After further inspection of each piece I realized 75% of it IS old feed sacks that have had the stitching taken out. I could see the lines where her mother had picked out the stitching. (my mom said if I pulled on the right string, the stitching would unravel) There's 31 feed sacks plus several pieces of other fabrics. There was also an old apron pattern that looks like something Donna Reed would have worn. There's 3 apron designs in it. It's in a pattern-sized envelope mailed to her mother from Progressive Farmer. Pattern # 4623. The postage is stamped 2 1/2 cents. Anyone know how old that might be? There's no date on it. Since my family didn't understand my excitement, I just had to post to soemone who would. I plan to make my friend something special out of some of the fabrics. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: beachgirl
Date: 05-04-2006, 02:03 AM (2 of 24)
| What a find you have. Don't cut up those feed sacks, they are worth a small fortune now. Isn't it great when someone gives you material like that ? I'm happy for you.The apron pattern sounds like from the 50's I have an old one as well. I don't know of anyone that wears aprons anymore but some are really cute. I do have one that at times I put on if I'm doing a messy craft thing but as a rule forget I have it. My mom wore aprons when she was dressed up & fixing dinner. When I was real little I can remember her wearing aprons more. Enjoy your new found material & sure you'll have lots of fun with it. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 05-04-2006, 07:21 AM (3 of 24)
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I read a nostalgic article not too long ago about how mothers used to make their little girls dresses out of the printed feed or flour sacks. What a special find you have. Enjoy. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 05-04-2006, 10:59 AM (4 of 24)
| When I was little my mom made a lot of my summer shorts & tops out of the pretty prints. Some of those prints are in some of the quilts she made me. I remember her buying sugar & flour to get those prints. Sometimes she'd even let me pick out the print she bought. The feed stores had a more coarse material & had the logo of the feed company on those. They weren't suitable for clothing. Other feeds were packaged in burlap or what we called toe sacks. Too bad they don't package some stuff in those pretty prints anymore. The plain white mom made her dish towels out of. They wore like iron & some she hand embroidered on. I think some of the flour came in those.Sure brings back memories. Mom didn't have to buy groceries like I do. Just the staples as we raised all our meats, had our eggs & garden stuff.We made our own butter, my job was churning every Saturday morning. I have that churn still. To this day I don't like what they call butter now or the milk. We pasturized ours but it didn't lose the good flavor like the processed stuff is now. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: mozeyrn
Date: 05-04-2006, 12:04 PM (5 of 24)
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Hey, I still wear aprons (the full front kind) - lol. I've learned the hard way that no matter how careful I am when cooking, washing dishes, cleaning I always get a stain on whatever I'm wearing. I'm trying to find a pattern to make a new apron or just may lay out my grandmom's (without taking it apart) and make one from that. I guess I'm too lazy to change clothes.
- Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 05-04-2006, 12:40 PM (6 of 24)
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If I'm not mistaken, McCall's,Simplicity and Butterick all have apron patterns out now. In fact, my local Hancock's has as full front, ruffle on the shoulders made up and hanging on display. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 05-04-2006, 02:57 PM (7 of 24)
| Your right, I've seen the patterns at Jo Ann's also. Wonder why we quit wearing aprons ? Was it when the burn your bra thing came in, maybe ? No, I didn't do that. LOL. I really should wear an apron sometimes. I have ruined a few clothes with splatters, bleach & mystery stuff. I did make one for a friend a couple years ago. I decorated it with lots of embroidry work.I still have that pattern come to think of it. The other apron pattern I have is the fancy tie around your waist kind. Frilly little things. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 05-04-2006, 03:20 PM (8 of 24)
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The 50's-60's aprons are making a come back...big time. They're everywhere, online, in magazines and in the quilt/fabric shops. The feed sacks ARE worth a fortune, if you don't cut them up. Theres a site online where you can buy them. (forgot the site, but goole will have it). Congrats on the windfall !!! Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: swartzrn
Date: 05-04-2006, 04:23 PM (9 of 24)
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I have noticed that alot of 50's-60's styles are coming back as well!! I know you have thoroughly enjoyed going through your new "treasures!!" My grandmother gave me alot of fabric and I was astonished at how "nostalgic" it was. Some of it, I don't have the heart to wash and use though--it has the smell of my grandmother's house. Know that sounds weird but the scent of that fabric gives me a happy feeling!
Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436 
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 05-04-2006, 07:16 PM (10 of 24)
Does that mean us "50's baby boomers are going to be recyled to new again??? 
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User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 05-04-2006, 07:47 PM (11 of 24)
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Bama, That apron pattern is much older than these people on here could possibly know.. I am almost 72 yrs old and when I was 4 and 5 years old Postage was 3 cents for a letter and 1 cent for a post card..I do not remember when it went to 5 cents for a letter but I'm sure it was in the 40's maybe after WWII was over..I used to love to go with my Grandmother to select her chicken feed for the sacks.. She always let me choose at least one and she would make me a dress or shorts and a shirt from one of them..I still have 3 aprons she made from printed and plain feed sacks.. She alternated vertical gores of the fabrics so that she could get more mileage from the prints.. If you haven't already, check e-bay for the prices feed sacks are going for nowadays..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: esrun3
Date: 05-04-2006, 08:18 PM (12 of 24)
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Had to be later than the 40's that postage went up. My dad was a mailcarrier and I remember sending Christmas cards as a child for 3 cents unsealed & 4 cents sealed and I was born in 1954.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 05-04-2006, 10:49 PM (13 of 24)
| Thanks, I'd completely forgotten about sending the sealed or unsealed Christmas cards price difference. I'm have a wonderful time going down memory lane. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: Sancin
Date: 05-05-2006, 02:56 AM (14 of 24)
Hey, Beach Girl! I wear an apron all the time. You must be giving your age away. In fact I cannot cook without an apron. I even pack one when I travel to stay in friends homes in case I help out. Cooking without an apron is sort like wondering if you put your underpants on. Nothing turns out the way it should without an apron. While I have lots of patterns and there are a lot of free ones on line, I often buy them at specialty kitchen shops because it is the design I like or I like the fabric and can't find any like it. In fact, the aprons I currently have are getting a little gungy, so must make or buy some new ones (what do you dry your hands on when cooking, or where do you put your pot holder when you don't have a pocket, or change from the paper collections, or treats for the little ones?) The last time I was at my son's he couldn't believe I packed an apron, my daughter long ago stopped commenting on it - essentially my son is not very observant. My son is the one whose house I vaccum occasionally because my clothes get dirty - and I am not particularly a clean nut - tho today anyone dropping in may doubt it! - today I found a spool of thread in a drawer with the cellophone band on it labelled 25 cents. How does that compare percentage wise with postage stamps?I'm off for a weekend at a spa! I am not taking an apron, making my bed or helping anyone cook or wash up.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 05-05-2006, 08:16 AM (15 of 24)
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Cooking without an apron is sort like wondering if you put your underpants on. Nothing turns out the way it should without an apron. Wiser words were never uttered Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Bama
Date: 05-05-2006, 10:18 AM (16 of 24)
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I looked up some postage rates and it says stamps were raised to 3 cents on July 3, 1932. It raised to 4 cents on August 1, 1958. I guess this pattern could be anywhere in between there since it's marked bulk rate postage paid with no stamp. I wish it did have a real stamp on it. Too bad the date isn't anywhere on the pattern. My favorite apron in the pattern has darts in the waist line that makes it fit like an hour glass on someone with a tiny waist. I guess I won't need to make that one because it buttons in the back and would fit a 24" waist.  It even has directions for making the buttonhole by hand.Another one in it has rick rack trim added and reminds me of my great grandmother who died around 1971. She always wore an apron at home. Since we're talking about aprons, I recently stopped at a church bazzaar and bought an apron from an elderly woman there. She had made dozens of them for the sale. It has buttons and buttonholes so you can fold it into a bonnet. I thought it was unique so I bought one. I want to make a couple of them like it for my hubby's 84 year old aunt. She still wears a hat or bonnet when she's working in her yard. (Yes, she still takes care of her own flowers )I did a little internet research on feedsacks. WOW! The ones I found are going from $12- $40 each. I always thought quilters bought them to make quilts with. I don't think I'll cut them up now. I'll just use the scraps. But I hate to just pack away these pretty feedsacks. Hmmmmmm... Any ideas?
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-05-2006, 10:19 AM (17 of 24)
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Bama, What a wonderful treasure you received. I am in the process of collecting old looking prints for Sunbonnet Sue quilts, and to be able to have the real thing, the color green is showing up here. Let us know what you end up doing with all these wonderful treasures. Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: Bama
Date: 05-05-2006, 10:34 AM (18 of 24)
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Summer, I've actually been thinking of using some of the scraps for a Sunbonnet Sue wallhanging to give to my wonderful friend that gave me all these treasures. I think it would look cute in her little country style house. She has alot of antiques and vintage things in her house. I still can't stop looking at all these fabrics. I feel like Santa Claus has been here. My kids think I'm crazy.  My friend told me yesterday that she also has some old chennille bedspreads she found in that house. She said they all have holes in them and she started to throw them out as well. She saw some rabbits I made from vintage chennille and said she'd give them to me if I made her a rabbit. I told her I'd make her a rabbit, bear, or something from each one for a trade. She's thrilled and I'm thrilled.
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: beachgirl
Date: 05-05-2006, 11:23 AM (19 of 24)
| Sancin, Yep, I'm telling my age. LOL. Age doesn't bother me at all, it's just a number. I'm 62. I was raised on a farm & it was wonderful. So many good memories & learned so much that has helped me later in life. The old apron pattern I have I found at Goodwill years ago. It just brought back memories. You ask where I keep my pot holders & etc. Well, I have a u shape kitchen so everything is handy so don't need pockets there. I really don't miss an apron.I also have a hanging dish towel ( I make my own ) on the oven door handle to wipe my hands on. I also put one on the fridge handle so I don't have to clean that as often. When we lived in Mo years ago we had a huge country kitchen & the layout wasn't so great, I made an apron like a carpenters apron to tuck things in. It was also great for picking up some things that belonged up stairs that the kids left around the house. My moto is where there's a will there's a way. Or maybe I just don't want extra work. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 05-05-2006, 06:39 PM (20 of 24)
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Reading all this about old feedsacks, patterns, material, etc. made me think about a burlap dress that my sister has. My grandmother gave it to my sister. The dress was made by her mother my great grandmother. Many years ago (more than I want to remember) my office group decided to dress up for Halloween and I borrowed the dress and wore it for my costume. This thread made me look for that picture. If I remember correctly, it was taken in 1981. Now I wish I had taken a few more pictures, especially of the lower part of the skirt and from the front...as I don't think I would fit it in today.  I've scanned and uploaded it to my photo site. Here's the pic (http://www.flickr.com/photos/heyjudee/141043221/). (You can change to the large size if you want to see the detail.)
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 05-05-2006, 07:58 PM (21 of 24)
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Very nice dress. You wouldn't wear it now, I guess, but it is beautiful. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 05-05-2006, 09:35 PM (22 of 24)
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Frame the feed sacks...you can get some cheap lucite frames at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. (they look like a box, but dirt can't get in). I'd put them in those and hang them up as art...after all thats what they are.....
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: Bama
Date: 05-05-2006, 11:00 PM (23 of 24)
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Great idea Chrys! Why didn't I think of that? I already have some vintage pattern envelopes framed and hanging in my sewing room. Judy, That dress is so pretty. When you said burlap dress I thought of something more along the lines of a potato sack. It's far from that. Was it common to use burlap to make clothing then? It reminds me of Scarlet OHara using curtains to make a dress when she had no other fabrics.Do you know about what year the dress was made? |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 05-06-2006, 01:32 PM (24 of 24)
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Judy, That dress is so pretty. When you said burlap dress I thought of something more along the lines of a potato sack. It's far from that. Was it common to use burlap to make clothing then? It reminds me of Scarlet OHara using curtains to make a dress when she had no other fabrics.Do you know about what year the dress was made? No I don't know when it was made. But my grandmother was born in 1892 and I think the dress was worn by her mother. It is actually a top and a skirt. The top buttons down the back. I think that my grandmother's family was quite poor and they were farmers. I know that grain was bagged in burlap. So it could have been the only material that she had at the time. My grandmother is the one who taught me to sew (on her treadle machine), to knit and to crochet. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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