Sack it to you …….

 

Grain sack material is becoming ever so popular right now, but it has been around in French decor for a while. I do like the new ways that it is being used; as upholstery, purses, and totes. I put together some of my favorite ways to use this very chic & French fabric!  Enjoy!!

It is the grain sack that has various shapes, sizes, colors and signage. The common thread is the soft vintage linen & burlap fabric from days gone by. The initial type of material conjures up the days of the Great Depression where something so simple could be created from a mundane fabric. The story of the feed sack is an enduring story of ingenuity and clever marketing. Once used to cover barrels, and then sought after to make quilts and clothing when the price of cotton dropped.

What’s funny is that by the 1930’s the advertising companies had caught on & there was fierce competition to create the most attractive and desirable prints.

My mother can recall the days of going with her grandmother to the general store to pick out feed sack material for dresses and to make into quilts.After the dresses were worn out, the material was used for quilting squares and pieced together at quilting parties!

This grain sack pillow cushion is made from antique grain sack and edged with a floral fabric and piped as well. I love this look on the French carved pair of birds bench.

This pair of upholstered chairs features the linen body with the blue stripe running down the center of these chairs.

This sofa is covered with the vintage linen with Moulins de nogent signage covering the body of the sofa. I like the way the turned legs with rolling casters enhance the piece.

A trio of grain sack bolster pillows, trimmed in red & white colors. Another touch is the needlepoint initials in different styles and fonts. I like the zippered cover which is similar to a tiny slip cover for the pillows.

I love this little number, a vintage linen sack perfect for early Saturday mornings, complete with pen & journal. I saw some of these journals this past weekend, and the mother of pearl pen is quite pretty.

This upholstered chair is not only red but has an all over printed logo and the outlines of a pair of roosters.

These two large napkins are perfect for summer night dinners, they almost look too pretty to use! I love the look of the red stripe contrasting with the neutral linen color of the material.

This pillow is a simple way of showcasing the initials of a family or family member. The older styles of needlepoint embroidery are quite nice and very lovely.

Another creative way of using the antique grain sack materials are on the staircase as a runner. Here an ever so slightly faded blue is the color of choice! I really love this look!

A neutral colored chair with the cushion accented with the grain sack materials. To the right, a modern styled chair with “patches” of linen and vintage floral feed sacks.

For a little more color, this great chair is covered in more muted tones and earthy colors. I love the shafts of wheat in muted reds, yellows and edged in black.

I love this messenger bag, it looks like it is printed with a faded indigo blue color on the linen fabric. What a wonderful little messenger bag.

These potholders are wonderful, the color & the stripes are just the ticket for the kitchen of your dreams. Just imagine cooking that souflee and getting it out of the oven with these little babies! Get your hot pot tooties!!!

I have a little ottoman that I picked up in philadelphia a few years ago. Just waiting for the right way to upholster and cover in a clevah way!! I think I found the way…..

Another great graphic pillow with lettering & a faded green stripe at the bottom of the pillow. These are just great accent pieces that can transform a look with one pillow or two.

I love this montage of decorative pillows, every possible way to use this type of material. Do you have a favorite? Huummm……let’s see it would have to be the ruffled pillow, so sweet!

What’s more to love than linen, sea grass & a beautiful faux paint treatment. You would think that you walked right in from the French countryside. I love this chair, and also the runner going up the staircase.

Softly slip covered, and absent of grain sack signage but so comfy & cozy feeling, if an added dash of color were needed just pop a pillow on the chair. Perhaps one like this one below…….

Long ago I fell in love with the vintage ticking of old feed sacks. Those were the days of Mary Emmerling and her Country Home reign as Queen of Country design. This blue and white bolster really pops!

This type of apron would make me want to cook, and I am the queen of quick cooking. I think I could be coaxed into the kitchen more or less wearing this little number.

Not only calm & soothing but plump and lumpy that only a down cushion can bring to a seat. This one has just the right amount of signage, to me!

Aaahhhh…….. What do I need to say?

Another lovely bolster, with just enough soft color!

I love the textures in this shot, the nubby linen against the patina of the well worn bench! Heaven ….

Someone please call the doctor, my heart just skipped a beat or two! I just adore these, what a wonderful accent pillow.

I love the legs of this bench, the twisted spindles and the carved feet. The top fabric is also just wonderful with the colors of red, white & blue. A summer house or cottage would be just the ticket for this piece.

These linen & red cushions not only have the fun factor but the French factor as well! I like the contrast with the worn yellow bistro chairs.

These kitchen towels make the best hostess gifts as well as little birthday gifts or a gift for yourself when you need to smile in the kitchen.

Lettered numbered napkins, perfect for a dinner party or a luncheon. Make it fun, draw a prize for the numbers called out, 1-12. Add some fun to your next dinner party.

A lovely settee with the cutest heart shaped pillows from the grain sack material. I like the plain upholstered settee and the accent of red & white pillows, it works!

I will end with this picture from the blog Willow Decor, I fell in love with this seat stenciled chair. This one is definitely one that I am going to try!

Sources:      vintageweave.com    &    Washington spaces