A woman selects printed cotton
New Mexico, 1951
A woman selects printed cotton feed sacks that she will later transform into clothing and curtains.
At the time, animal feed was often packaged in colorful fabric bags instead of paper or plastic. After the feed was used, the sacks could be washed and reused, becoming a valuable resource for farm families.
With a bit of sewing skill and creativity, these patterned cotton sacks were turned into dresses, shirts, aprons, quilts, and household items such as curtains or pillowcases. For many rural households across the United States, they were an affordable and practical way to make everyday necessities.
A small but telling glimpse into the ingenuity and resourcefulness of mid-20th-century rural life.
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Contributed by
JOSE M LOPEZ
March 13, 2026
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