Current Date: 17 Sep, 2025
{{entry.title}}
Interesting Facts 13 May 2023

The history of Flour sack clothing fashion

After Kansas mill owners found women reused flour sack materials into apparel in the 1920s and 1930s, they started applying patterned designs to give families with more fashionable patterns and material.

You might have seen a popular photograph of a man sitting cheerfully next to a pile of beautifully printed flour sacks, stating that the bags were used to make clothing for children in need. The short answer is that it is true! From the 1920s until the 1960s, flour sack attire was a common choice for many. But first, let’s look at the background of those pretty flour bags!

The history of Flour sack clothing fashion 1
This early 1940s photo on the left shows two women showing off their hand-made dresses while standing next to a shipment of colored and patterned bags. The photo on the right shows the instructions that were printed on many of the bags, many of which came with ink that could be dulled or washed out completely. Photo credit: archiveproject.com

Let’s travel back to a time when saving money and frugality were the norm in support of the war effort. Young and old women wore these dresses. All of these gowns have an intriguing history, dating to a time when America was committed to recycling and the globe was at war.

Cotton: the flour holder

Beginning in the 1800s, cotton bags were used for the distribution of bulk goods like flour. To transfer more product, flour mills were able to give up wooden boxes in favor of the lighter cotton sacks. Not only did distributors find these cotton bags beneficial, but homemakers soon discovered a purpose for them as well.

The history of Flour sack clothing fashion 2
This Time LIFE photo shows a warehouse worker packing up some of the patterned bags for delivery. Photo credit: archiveproject.com

People started coming up with inventive applications for the excess fabric that was lying around the home and barns. The unsightly, simple bags were sometimes ripped into pieces and used in many homes as dish towels.

These simple cotton sacks would be in use until 1922, but their influence and value would last for a very long time. Millers believed that switching the cotton sacks out for paper cartons would be more practical, both for distribution handling and storage for the typical housewife, and on April 28, 1922, The Washington Post published an article titled “Farewell to the Old Flour Sack.”

The history of Flour sack clothing fashion 3
Given how widespread this became, national publications began to print instructions for how to produce different items. Photo credit: archiveproject.com

However, according to Feed Sack Secrets: Fashion from Hard Times, “both the city and country housewife would see the old flour sack in a new light in just a few short years. Thanks to a young guy by the name of Asa, changes were on the way. Bales, T.

Where flour sacks to pretty clothes started

In October 1924, Mr. Bales of Roscoe, Missouri, applied for a patent for cotton bags that had attractive patterns and were sizable enough to be used for apparel. Asa was specifically awarding his patent to the St. Louis-based George P. Plant Milling Co. for their new “Gingham” flour product. Different brands, such as “Gingham Girl,” “Mother Gingham,” “Baby Gingham,” and “Gingham Queen,” were created from the original line.

The history of Flour sack clothing fashion 4
This 1940 photo of a family shows some of the flour sack clothes up close and in full color. Many of them were quite beautiful! Photo credit: archiveproject.com

Plant Milling executives thought this was a fantastic marketing opportunity, since consumers would immediately recognize their brand when they saw the Gingham pattern. The indications on the package, such as the brand name, would wash away because the sacks were designed with clothing in mind, according to Bales’ patent. Specifically, this was done so that the cloth could be made into garments.

As soon as other mills learned about the strategy, they began creating their own chic packaging. The rival mills would engage in a contest to see who could create the most appealing pattern, using everything from pastels to novelty patterns.”

“A yard saved, was a yard gained towards victory”

When the United States entered World War II in the 1940s, Americans who were not on the front lines made sacrifices so that the soldiers would have food. The war effort received all of the cotton and wool that was available. Homemakers used the cotton sacks to produce apparel out of a desperate need for fabric. The flour sack dress evolved into a popular and fashionable garment. There were flour sack costumes everywhere you turned. There were even contests where ladies would compete and display their stitching prowess.

The history of Flour sack clothing fashion 5
This trend continued through the WWII era as people aimed to extend their money and materials as long as possible. This ad from 1948 shows how the trend evolved. Note that it appears as though the patterned bags did begin to cost more in the late 1940s, but as this ad said, they were worth the extra cost. Photo credit: archiveproject.com

These costumes provided rural women with a cost-effective method to flaunt their sense of style. Before the 1960s, flour sack dresses were all the rage. We still recall the design of these recognizable gowns and the historical impact they have now!

Below are a few of the patterns that came from the bags:

The history of Flour sack clothing fashion 6
Lovely dog and flower pattern. Photo credit: archiveproject.com
The history of Flour sack clothing fashion 7
This fun pattern could have been used for all kinds of designs and garments. Photo credit: archiveproject.com
The history of Flour sack clothing fashion 8
Here’s one of our favorite designs – this would have made a lovely dress! Photo credit: archiveproject.com
The history of Flour sack clothing fashion 9
This phenomenon was so key to people in the Depression and post-war era that the Smithsonian even keeps a sack dress on display, as seen above. This dress was crafted in the 1950s as part of a bag sewing contest in Kansas. Photo credit: archiveproject.com
Post Views: 969
Similar Stories
Interesting Facts 13 May 2021
10 world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruptions in history

10 world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruptions in history

Volcanic eruptions can devastate cities, change the world's atmosphere, and devastate economic systems. They can create molten lava rivers, mudslides, suffocating ash, and poisonous gases that cause chaos around the world for years. A volcanic explosion's effects can be massive, from its size to its death toll to its economic cost. Here is ten world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruptions in history.

Historical events disaster top list volcano
When Boredom Strikes 29 Sep 2023
The History Behind the “No One Dies Alone” Program

The History Behind the “No One Dies Alone” Program

In 1986, while doing a night shift at the hospital, Sandra Clarke, a registered nurse, was asked by an elderly patient to stay. She promised to be back after checking on her other patients, but by the time she returned, the gentleman had passed away. Clarke became one of the key figures in launching No One Dies Alone, a program that allows volunteers to sit with terminal patients who have no one else.

Historical events kindness
Interesting Facts 02 Jan 2024
Nathan's Famous Doctor Stunt

Nathan's Famous Doctor Stunt

When Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs first opened in 1916, the owner hired people to dress as doctors and eat hot dogs outside his shop, to convince people his hot dogs were healthy.

Historical events
Interesting Facts 10 Jul 2023
The day Iceland's women went on strike

The day Iceland's women went on strike

Icelandic women went on strike for equal rights on October 24, 1975. 90% of women walked out of their jobs and homes, effectively shutting down the entire country. The men were struggling to keep up. The following year, Parliament passed a law requiring equal pay. Iceland elected the world's first female President five years later. Iceland now has the highest gender equality rate in the world.

Historical events Iceland women power