Looking for inspiration? This post will walk you through 8 ideas for vintage grain sacks!
Picture an old barn full of grain sacks, all lined up in rows and full of mighty grains.
Old grain sacks contain such rich, beautiful textures. Used decades ago by farmer’s, they can have a new life in your home. Find encouragement for your home today with 8 ideas for vintage grain sacks.
What Are Old Grain Sacks?
Grain sacks; weathered, worn, and rustic, go all the way back to the 18th century. These worn and timeless pieces were used for storing and hauling grains. These sacks were made by hand from long linen bolts, taking an average weaver 1 night to weave 24 inches of this beautiful fabric.
The pretty stripes that you commonly see on grain sacks were like a farmer’s signature.
When the sacks were brought to the mill, each of the farmer’s sacks could be distinguished from everyone else’s sacks. Because of that, there is an endless variety of stripes on old grain sacks! The sacks that were plain or didn’t contain stripes were either monogrammed or stamped for the same purpose.
Besides the handmade linen sacks, there were jute or hessian sacks, also known as burlap. These were also used for agricultural purposes. They were stamped with charming rustic lettering and designs, mostly in black but there are colored ones available, although rare. The pretty labeling on the burlap sacks shows us exactly what the sacks were used for, or at least the company that used them!
The quality of these vintage textiles is superb and each grain sack is unique. Each one is crafted out of either pure hemp or flax or a linen/cotton mix. The fabric used as well as the weight of the yarn and the retting process(which is basically fiber separation) plays a factor in the tone and texture of the grain sack.
The grain sacks can differ from very coarse to beautifully smooth and all textures in between. Sometimes you can find them with a grain spout and ties at the opening or sensational mends and patches. The color tones on these beauties varies from dark caramels to grays and from cream to oatmeal while the striping colors come in every color you can imagine!
Antique grain sacks are stunning to use in your home. Here are 8 ideas for vintage grain sacks.
1. Make them into throw pillow cases for your couch, bed, window seat, etc…
2. Create a floor cushion!
3. Make a bulletin board using the sack as a backing and frame it with an old window!
4. They make wonderful rustic napkins!
5. Sew a cafe curtain or window valance for your kitchen.
6. With some simple sewing you can turn it into a bathmat!
7. Re-upholster your outdoor furniture cushions using grain sacks.
8. Use a sack to make a comfy dog(or cat) bed!
Grain sacks are timeless and create such a cozy, rustic element to any space in your home. It’s like you can feel the nostalgia of what these sacks carried in times gone by and take comfort in knowing they get to carry on as a part of your journey.
I hope you found inspiration here today on 8 ideas for vintage grain sacks! Comment below on which of these ideas you want to try in your home.
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