Feedsack Quilts

     In my last blog, I introduced myself, and let you all know who I am. This week I'd like to talk about feedsack quilts and the fabric. You will find these primarily in the South, but due to the popularity of the era they are popping up everywhere.
     I remember growing up and we had these delicious patterned quilts that were so heavy, but boy did they help keep us warm at night. I fell in love with all the different fabric patterns they had in them. Now they didn't neccessarily match well, but somehow they worked together. Some were hawaiin print, some were dogs and children, and some were just plaid..but they worked. I often wondered where did this fascinating fabric come from. My grandmother and mom told me that they were feedsack fabric. In fact my mom had clothes made from feedsack fabric, and had some favorites that she still remembers.     
     Feedsack fabric came from, you guessed it, feedsacks! Folks that did not have a lot of money would make clothing, and quilts from feedsacks. Flour, sugar, birdseed, amoung other items came in feedsacks.
     Feedsack quilts, or pieced quilts were constructed of one whole piece of sack cloth at the bottom as used for backing, then usually cotton, or wool was used for the batting, and then the quilt top. These quilts were primarily tied, and then the binding would be applied using various types of fabric. Yoyo quilts just had round circles cut, handhemmed under and pulled tight making it look like a yoyo. These were primarily used for summer quilts, but I have seen yoyos used for a multitude of items such as doileys and tablecloths.
     Feedsack fabric is known by many different names now as manufacturers are producing it by the scores as the popularity is growing. Every once in a while you can find a whole feedsack, but it can be pricey. Two companies that I like particularly well is Blue Hill, as shown in the orange, yellow, and pink photo. The fabric is pretty close as to what was used. The other company I like using is Aunt Grace's fabric line. These are usually the more juvenille prints such as the photo of the blue dogs I have been collecting feedsack fabric for years and always come across new and interesting pieces that I MUST have! Most of this fabric you can find online at www.etsy.com.
     The red gingham check quilt is one that I finished not too long ago and you can find it at my store at www.rosebudsoriginals.etsy.com

     I am in the process of working on a feedsack reproduction lap quilt as shown in the photo and it'll be ready to list soon, unless I fall in love with it too much, then....
I guess what they say is true, "What was old once, becomes new again". Happy fabric hunting, and may God Bless.

Rosebuds Originals
Rose Baker