Flower Sack Dresses

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During the Great Depression (1929-1941) here in the United States money for new clothes or luxury items were scarce. The rare opportunity for new clothes came with the durable fabric used in flour sacks. To hide the signs of poverty the labels could be soaked off, the fabric could be dyed, and embellishments could be added. It wasn't long before the distributors noticed the new second-life of their bags and found new ways for their products to stand out. In 1925, the Gingham Girl Flour began making their bags in a variety of colors with labels easy to wash off. Even the Textile Bay Manufacturers Association published a book on how to sew dresses from flour sacks. One company even offered their bags in a variety of pastel colors. Flour sack dresses became quite a fad. * During WWII rations put strict limitations on ready-made women's clothing and cotton was restricted to industrial and military use only. So, material from flour bags was the only material available for homemade clothes. Women began to buy, sell or swag these bags with neighbors. Denim and Disney became available in the 50s. One 1959 dress is now part of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History's collection. * Personal Note: I recall coming across several child's size sun dresses in my mom's stuff when I went through it after she passed away.