European Grain Sacks - loving & working with them

Grain sacks are here to stay.

You might say so since they first appeared on the scene in the 1800's! But, I mean in home decor.  And for me, especially at Christmas time.

Over recent years moving from a craze to a mainstay, like the white pedestal sink or painted furniture, grain sacks are now part of the home decor vernacular.

The nature of a grain sack is to be long lasting after all. Created from hemp & very thick linen to serve a utilitarian purpose.

Their purpose was to haul grain from a farm to the mill or market.

The distinctive stripes are just that ~ distinctive. Woven into the bags so each could be recognized & returned to the right farmer. Some even have initials.

European grain sacks are thicker than the American sacks.  Their nubbiness & dense texture makes them wonderful for pillows, upholstery and other tactile projects.

When choosing one to work with pick tightly woven sacks for best results.

A lovely Etsy shop that specializes in European sacks is The Antique Linen Store operated by Christina.  Here are a few of the grain sacks she has in her shop now.

Working with European sacks is wonderful but can be a bit challenging.

I suggest the following:

Cleaning a Grain Sack:

• soak your bag over night or longer in the tub in warm water with some mild detergent (remember these have been around awhile!)

• launder it alone on normal cycle with a bit of softener

• tumble dry on low

• remove before fully dry & air dry

• don't place in direct sunlight as it can unevenly fade the stripe(s)

Crafting and Sewing Grain Sacks

• don't use your precious fabric scissors ~ too thick.

• think twice, measure thrice & twice again - once you cut it is done!

• Hand sew when you can as the fabric is tough on machines

• use every scrap left from your project to make sachets, ornaments or other small projects

Using Grain Sacks in Decor

Other easy ways to use grain sacks are as a runner, draped over the back of a chair or simply stacked on an open shelf.  It will be hard to resist touching them each time you pass by.

A very special way to use grain sacks is to make Christmas Stockings out of them.

Look for sacks with red or green stripes.  Red is common, green not so much & the combination even less so.

My grain sack stockings bring Christmas cheer to me each year when I take them out of the bins.

The fabric has withstood the test of time.  It is my hope these stockings will do the same & be a special part of Christmas for many generations.

Share with me what makes you the happiest to take out of your Christmas bins.

** Kelly **