Here’s a little inspiration for how to use grain sacks in your home. Ideas for decorating and crafting with these vintage beauties. And if you’ve been searching for one to call your own, I’ve just added some vintage grain sacks for sale in my store, la Brocante Boutique!

If you’ve been reading my blog for some time, you know I love vintage grain sacks.  I love the neutral color and the heavy texture.  I love that they are stamped, dated and decorated.  And I love the idea of taking something that was used years ago for a utilitarian purpose and transforming it into something else! 

Stack of five folded vintage grain sacks with blue or red stripes in a for sale photo

What is A Grain Sack?

Grain sacks are sacks made from coarse material (often linen or burlap) that were used to store grain.  Typically, grain sacks have either a graphic, letters, numbers or stripes on them in either blue, red or tan (although there are lots of other colors, too) . 

Some are made in the U.S., which are easier to find and thus, less expensive. Others come from Europe and while those are my favorite, they are more expensive.  They are beautiful when used as decorative pillows, table runners, placemats or even as upholstery fabric. {To learn more about European antiques, click HERE)

French farmhouse family room with beige IKEA Ektorp sectional sofa and blue striped curtains

 Decorating with Grain Sacks

Collage photo of 12 ideas on how to use vintage grain sacks for decorating ideas

1. Upholstery

One of my favorite ways to use a grain sack is for upholstery projects.  Vintage grain sacks are washable and incredibly durable so they are both practical and pretty when it comes to upholstery.

Miss Mustard Seed always has some of my favorite grain sack pieces, like this beautiful chair below.

Dark brown antique French dining chair upholstered with vintage grain sack
{via Miss Mustard Seed}

Or this cute one from Chair Whimsy!

Two cream wood French antique dining chairs upholstered with grain sacks with laurel wreath and blue stripe
via Chair Whimsy on Etsy

2. Pillows

You can quickly update a sofa with a bit of vintage texture with the addition of some throw pillows. I have several around my home…

Blue ruffle pillow and vintage grain sack pillow on linen sofa
Blue and white French pillows with an additional grain sack pillow

3. Tote

You can also take a little grain sack on the go with a tote or purse!

4. Wine Bag

Aren’t these cute?  Along with a bottle of wine, these would make a beautiful hostess gift.  You can make one out of a vintage grain sack or you can head over to Dreamy Whites to purchase one online.

Close up of blue stripe vintage grain sack wine bottle bag
{via Dreamy Whites}

5. Table Runner

I love the look of grain sacks used as table runners!  You can create one from a vintage sack, but you can also find new runners whose design has been inspired by the look of grain sacks.

Blue stripe vintage grain sack table runner with antique bread board holding glasses fruit and a pitcher

6.  Stair Runner

Amazing, right?!

You can actually purchase this antique grain sack by the yard which is great if your project requires long, continuous lengths.

Closeup of vintage grainsack yardage with blue stripes for sale on Etsy
via The Textile Trunk on Etsy

 7. Throw

This beautiful throw from Lucketts isn’t made from an actual grain sack, but the design was inspired by one and the look is just gorgeous.  So whether you use it to keep you warm during chilly Fall evenings or as a tablecloth for a brunch with friends, it will withstand the everyday use.

Closeup of vintage grain sack used as a throw blanket
{via Lucketts}

8.  Sachet

Once you’re made a pillow or upholstered a chair, here’s an idea for what to do with the leftover fabric! These lavender sachets not only smell great, but look great too.

Wooden bowl full of small lavender sachets made out of French vintage grain sacks
via Parish Farmgirl on Etsy

9. Window Valance

This is one project I’ve been thinking about trying, but instead of a grain sack, I might try using a drop cloth and painting it to resemble a grain sack.

10. Lamp Shade

Kathleen at Musings from a French Cottage has a great tutorial on how to make these lamp shades inspired by grain sacks.  Can you believe these are actually drop cloths painted to look like grain sacks?!

11. Banner

You could make a banner out of a grain sack, or you can use these amazing grain sack printable textures shared by Angie over at Knick of Time.

 12. Apron

I’m still kicking myself for not purchasing this great antique grain sack apron that I saw at Alameda Point last year….alas, I don’t cook so I couldn’t really justify it.

Blue stripe vintage European grain sack apron on an antique dress form

I love how feminine this apron from Justine at Sew Country Chic looks.  And I was amazed to learn that this isn’t made from an actual grain sack!  Head over to her tutorial to see how she made it.

Whenever I’m at a flea market or antique fair, I always keep my eyes open for grain sacks.  Luckily for you, I happened across some recently and now have them for sale in my shop!

So whether you use vintage grain sacks, reproduction fabric or just a design inspired by a grain sack, there are tons of fun projects to tackle.

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6 Comments

  1. Elaine Hagan says:

    I have some feed sacks : blue and white background with darker blue Scotty terriers. Would you be interested in them?

    1. Hi Elaine! They sound beautiful! I have enough grain sacks right now, but you might be able to sell them on Etsy! :) Kim

  2. Thank you so much for linking to my lampshades! I really appreciate it. I love all of these great ideas. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend!

    Kathleen

    1. Tidbits&Twine says:

      Your lamp shades are SO creative! Love them!

  3. Thanks so much for including a link to my pillows here! Great post on grain sacks!

    1. Tidbits&Twine says:

      Jill – The pillows are beautiful! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment!

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