FEED SACKS
The generic term ‘feed sacks’ is used to describe the (mostly) cotton bags that were made to hold a range of dry goods, such as seeds, fertiliser, flour and sugar, and not just animal feed as the name suggests. Mass production of the sacks started in the mid-1800s when the invention of the lock-stitch sewing machine made it possible to construct bags that were strong enough to hold heavy produce. Prior to this, goods were stored and transported in barrels, boxes and tins, which were not only heavier than fabric sacks but also much bulkier when empty.
Bags of inspiration
“As soon as women had fabric they regarded as being for free, they repurposed it to make all manner of items”
Although fabric sacks are
