When I woke up today, my first thought was not, "I wonder how many 6-inch squares of feedsack I got at that auction?" but "What can I do to keep cool in my non-air-conditioned house?" Sorting through all of those feedsack squares seemed to be a pretty low-impact activity, and it needed to be done, and now I can answer the question as to how many squares I have.
It's too hot to make you guess, so I'll just tell you. At least 2,500.
They had been washed, cut and sorted into packages by their previous owner, but there was no rhyme or reason to the packages. I started sorting them by color.
It took a long time.
I sorted out the ugly ones. I don't know what to do with ugly feedsack. It's feedsack, after all. But it's ugly.
Some of the squares I loved right away.
Others I didn't love so much.
But somehow when they were all together they brought out the best in each other.
I can always tell I like something when I start taking lots of closeups.
Anyway, it's embarrassing to have this much fabric and not give some of it away. Let's have a feedsack giveaway! Leave me a comment here or on my Facebook page by Sunday night. If you're the winner, I'll send you a package of pretty feedsack squares. None of the uglies, I promise.
Feed sacks clothed several generations of my family. They also were used to make quilts, tea towels, underclothing etc.
Posted by: Marcia Dobbins | June 20, 2012 at 07:41 PM
Many years ago, I was given several everyday quilts by elderly relatives of my husband. While solid and substantial, they were not works of art. I came to appreciate some of the feedsack prints that were worked into them and wonder at the sheer ugliness of others!
Posted by: Karen Christian | June 20, 2012 at 08:42 PM
Just remember: one woman's ugly is another woman's beauty! I kinda like the brown leaves & green/orange flowers!!
Posted by: Diane | June 20, 2012 at 08:50 PM
Linda I can't wait to see the beautiful quilt you will make from this awesome feed sack material. You are going to make a quilt right? It would be a shame not to finish the project that somebody started years ago.
Posted by: Danielle @ Blessed Serendipity | June 20, 2012 at 09:24 PM
What a lucky gal you are to have ALL those squares. I can't say I see an ugly one in there.
Posted by: Patti Tappel | June 20, 2012 at 09:32 PM
Those would make a lovely picnic quilt, or just a nice throw. I can't wait to see what you make.
Posted by: Becky | June 20, 2012 at 09:49 PM
Oh, Barbara! i drool.
Posted by: Tina | June 20, 2012 at 10:02 PM
No my dear it is not embarrassing. You are merely a middle man. More of a handler to provide the rest of us with amazing goods. I send the uglies back to the thrift. Can't really throw them away? Smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee | June 20, 2012 at 10:08 PM
This makes me want to take out my unfinished quilt from last summer (or the summer before?) and get working. Wish I had been there to help you--sorting is one of favorite activities, in particular sorting by color, when I'm stressed, you can tell.
Posted by: m | June 20, 2012 at 10:16 PM
I would love these to be able to patch an old quilt I bought at an auction recently, I would hate to patch with new fabric and these would BE PERFECT! Thanks for sharing the bounty
Posted by: lynne ATL | June 20, 2012 at 10:31 PM
I am just astounded at the sheer number of different prints that were produced! Barbara, that might have just been THE FIND OF A LIFETIME! Thanks for sharing it! :)
Posted by: Heidi German | June 20, 2012 at 11:16 PM
I have never had any feedsack to work with although I have seen it on the internet. Very nice. Would be fun to win some.
Posted by: Marie | June 20, 2012 at 11:44 PM
You certainly have the Feedsack Midas touch. That is simply amazing! I bought a feedsack quilt top today in a turtle pattern. It's really just too adorable. But, it does have a couple "ugly" squares.
Posted by: Shara | June 20, 2012 at 11:48 PM
Beautiful and what a wonderful deal you got! I would love to have some... fingers crossed~ Hugs, Diane
Posted by: Diane | June 21, 2012 at 01:08 AM
2,500...is that an extra zero in there? My goodie goodness. Thanks for the chance to win. I'd even take the uglies...they don't look that bad in the photo. :)
Posted by: whit | June 21, 2012 at 01:15 AM
Oh golly, I am beyond jealous at your feedback fest! Why can't we buy our groceries in pretty fabric bags nowadays, that's what I want to know! Would love to rehome some of your feedback squares pretty please.
Hen x
Posted by: Hen | June 21, 2012 at 02:07 AM
I am dittoing every word Hen said! I have never made a quilt and would love to give it a try :-D
Posted by: Ruth | June 21, 2012 at 03:28 AM
Well, you know I have to be here for this. Unbelievable luck in finding those squares already cut. No excuse not to use them. I would love to win some but would be quite happy to buy some too. Are you listing any?
Posted by: Vicki | June 21, 2012 at 06:37 AM
I don't know if I've even ever seen feedsack cloth. (Maybe that has something to do with living on the East Coast?) But I sure love some of those prints, especially the purples and lavenders you showed.
Posted by: Mary Ann | June 21, 2012 at 07:39 AM
Really??? 2500? Wow! How fun1 Can't wait to see what you'll do with it.
chris
Posted by: chris mckinley | June 21, 2012 at 07:49 AM