Antique Grain Sack Style Pillows

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Several years ago, a customer inquired about having a large antique wingback chair I had for sale in my shop shipped to her. The shipping to her California address was very high on the chair, so I wasn’t able to sell it to her, but she place a large order of other items. She contacted me again and asked if I’d be interested in trading more of my products for an antique grain sack pillow that she designs and sells in her shop. I visited her website, drooled when I got a look at the amazing pillows and chairs she designs using late 1800’s and early 1900’s European grain sacks, but since the pillows were priced between $250-$400, and since my business was just a few months old, I couldn’t justify the expense that kind of trade would cost me, so I didn’t make a trade.

That may be enough information for some of you to figure out who I’m talking about, but if not, that customer was Kymberley Fraser, of 3 Fine Grains/A Beautiful Mess notoriety. Believe me, there have been many days when I have wished I could have made that trade.

Even 3 years later, I still can’t justify spending that much money for a pillow for my home, as much as I would love to, so it’s just been a “want” that isn’t likely to get fulfilled. Recently, my husband and I drove to a little town about 25 minutes away from my house, because I heard there was a good thrift store there, that carries my favorite kind of old things. I loaded up with a box full of good stuff, and after we left there, we stopped at an antique store in the same town. Most of things we too high-priced for me to resell, but I did come across a big stack of vintage seed bags. I could tell they weren’t super old, but the fabric had a wonderful texture, and enough aging to it, that I picked out and purchased a few of them.

Grain-Sack-Pillows-Wreath-Image-by-Knick of Time

Most of the bags had a little bit of printing on them, stating the weight, etc. of the contents of the bag. Visions of antique German grain sack pillows filled my head.

I decided to try my hand at creating my own version of one, so I sorted through my graphics to see if I had any that might work. I had this wreath graphic that came from the back of a piano advertisement card, that I shared, HERE. I thought that with a little modification, I could use it, since many antique grain sacks have wreath images on them.

Antique-wreath-graphic-image-from-Knick of Time

I opened up the image in my Silhouette software, made a few changes, so that the leaves all point upward and the top of the wreath is open, and came up with this image.

Antique-wreath-graphic-image-Silhouette-Cameo-stencil-from-Knick of Time

I chose a font, and decided to add the word, “Anno” (year) and 1989 (my wedding year) to put inside the wreath, and cut the image from adhesive vinyl.

Vinyl-Stencil-Wreath-Silhouette-Cameo-Knick of Time

I used Tulip Soft Fabric Paint, applied by tamping a foam brush gently over the vinyl, so the paint wouldn’t bleed under the stencil.

The seed bag was longer than my pillow, so I folded the edge over, to form a “cuff” and sewing some cotton twill tape for ties.

I plan to create more of these and make them available in my shop, so if you’re interested in having me create a similar pillowcase for you, send me a message through my Etsy shop, letting me know what year, or a name you’d like inside the wreath. Most of these sacks do have handwriting in permanent marker on them, but the front sides are all either plain or have some printing on them like mine does.

Blessings,

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Comments

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces says

February 3, 2014 at 5:35 am

That turned out beautifully, Angie! The feed sacks were a great find!

Denise @ secondtimearoundfinds says

February 3, 2014 at 6:22 am

Your project turned out lovely.
Have a nice week.
Denise

Di says

February 3, 2014 at 1:47 pm

I love the pillow and feed sacks always add that old world charm.

Bliss says

February 3, 2014 at 3:03 pm

You crafty lady, and now pillow entrepreneur. Try taking some fine sand paper and sanding the painted part a bit. It can give some of them a varied look.

Cynthia says

February 3, 2014 at 5:13 pm

Angie these came out so great you crafty gal, you.

Cynthia

Audrey says

February 3, 2014 at 11:00 pm

Angie … just love what you did … I was just going to ask if you could sand the stenciling to make it look time-worn and then saw that Bliss was suggesting it. I was thinking you had sanded something on fabric before.
Great job and I think I have some sacks of some sort I can use that on. Thanks for sharing the graphic.
Blessings,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

Okio B Designs says

February 4, 2014 at 12:07 am

It’s stunning! I think you just made me finally decide to get a Silhouette machine. =)

Jeanine

Tanya Runkle says

February 5, 2014 at 9:07 am

thanks for another fun party Angie!! Hope you are having a great week ):

xo, Tanya

Antique Grain Sack Style Pillows

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