Feedsacks galore

It was probably a little optimistic of me to think that in a few days' time I would be able to soak, wash, dry, iron and photograph all of my recently acquired feedsacks. Hey, what are a few spots and wrinkles among friends? Feedsack Friday is here, and I'm ready to unfold some of these beauties, imperfections and all.

 

Some blog buddies also are planning to show you some feedsacks today, so make sure you visit them, too. (I can't wait!)

http://www.georgiapeachez.typepad.com/

http://osagebluffquilter.blogspot.com/

http://turkeyfarmtreasures.blogspot.com/

http://myvintagesoul.typepad.com/

http://hollyhocks.typepad.com/

http://mybabyeatssocks.blogspot.com/

http://mamanjackjack.blogspot.com/

Another blog friend e-mailed to confess that my basket full of feedsacks looked just like fabric to her, and she wondered how to tell the difference. Until I got these, I wondered the same thing. Sarah was the one who clued me in to looking for the stitching marks. This feedsack shows the marks really well - this is where the sack was sewn together, until an industrious housewife emptied it of its contents, removed the thread and saved the fabric.

 

I don't know if this is typical of all feedsacks, but a lot of the ones I got last week also have a small number near the seamline. On to some other prints:



This red and white one resembles a tablecloth.



I love how it looks with my folk-dancing friends.

And the bright stripes.



An odd little print with ships and anchors and crowns and whales and lords and ladies.



A circus print. I'm loving the elephant, and the acrobats. There are also some animals bursting through hoops - I think that's a lion up on top.



A wrinkled but nonetheless charming Dutch print.



A border print with a rail fence and hunters and hounds.



Here's a hunt scene closeup.



I did get a few feedsacks washed and out on the line. (Annoyingly, my family seems to feel that clean towels should take precedence over laundering my beloved vintage textiles.) I'm soaking some of the ones in better shape in cool water and borax, per Sarah's advice, and that, along with the sunshine, is brightening them right up. Some of the other ones may need boiled in borax, which has a strangely Dickensian appeal to it.

Here's a closeup of one of the ones hanging on the line, and it may be my favorite.

Thanks for visiting on Feedsack Friday!

Comments

[Diane ( Crafty Passions)]

I love the red and white ohh be still my beating heart!!
Diane

[ohthecuteness]

Beautiful fabrics! I just started going to the monthly flea market in Alameda and I must say it's going to be trouble!

[LiLi M.]

After feeling relieved I now feel discriminated; I want at least one feedsack!
Have a great weekend!

[suzy]

That is some collection of feedsacks and to find them all at a sale! They are all fabulous!! xo, suzy

[Jenny]

I love the star one! I collect suns and moons and stars and stuff so that is my favorite too!

[Sarah]

I think we share the same favorite. :-)

(And those are excellent stitching holes. If people find them still intact, the stitching is done with a thick thread, more like a kite string than a thread.)

[Mary@Turkeyfarmtreasures]

What great finds. I could look at them all day.
Thanks for hosting this feed sack showcase.

Maybe you can do more of the same in the future, using different types of fabrics or materials.

[Osagebluffquilter]

Finally the fog lifted and I got my post up.
Osagebluffquilter

[Joanna {sweet finds}]

What an awesome collection. You always seems to find the most amzing patterns & prints. I'm just a little jealous. :) xoxo, Joanna

[April]

You always have the cutest things! Thanks for hosting!

[Connie]

Thank you for answering my question before I asked it. Now I know how to identify a feed sack. They will probably appear everywhere I go now. Stop by my blog, I have something for you.

Connie

[Nanette]

Oh I love feedsacks - love love love. Yours are beautiful.

[Vicki]

Hi Barbara, I'm gettin' there. It'll have to be Feedsack Sat. or Sun. for this girl though. Not much sleep last night. You so lucked out. That is a great collection.

[Niesz Vintage Home]

Love them all! Such fun prints. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
I just got a healthy stack of new feedsacks myself. Slowing making my way through to inspect and photo them.

Kimberly :)

[belinda]

ooooo girl....if i had known where you lived i would've been snatching that stuff off the line!!!!!

[Jenny]

I had to laugh! I know I have already commented but today I found an outfit make out of old feed sacks. And not these pretty ones, but the ones that say, bag of corn with a picture of a corn stalk. If I can get a picture I will and share it!

[Beth Leintz]

You really shouldn't put your very valuable feedsacks out in the backyard, they could get stolen- where do you live....?

Great collection and I am totally drooling over it!

I also tried to peek through your laundry to see if there was a little Carson helping you.

[tammyCA]

I love how you set your feedsacks in the vegetable box...so pretty!