Grain Sack Christmas Tree Skirt

I will make several Christmas Tree Skirts from Grain Sacks for Swiss Days.  The price will be around $110.   The back is linen, so it is reversible.   This is a thick grain sack and has a deep color similar to burlap, with a herringbone weave.  Most grain sacks are from around 1880 and made from linen and hemp which were probably grown on the farm that wove the grain sack.  Each farmer had a unique stripe to help him identify his sacks at the mill.  The heavier sacks will be for tree skirts and the softer ones for pillows.   This particular grain sack is 100% homespun hemp made around 1900 in Transylvania.

Christmas Stockings and Hotel Utah Salvage

No two stockings are alike.  Materials used are seed sacks, grain sacks, mangle cloth, vintage tablecloths, 18th century French toile, and vintage ticking.  Prices range from $35 to $50.  The stocking holder is made from door casings and window casings salvaged from the Hotel Utah.  The knobs are antique porcelain door knobs.  When not using it as a stocking holder, is it a fantastic coat rack or towel rack.  More Hotel Utah salvage will be posted in upcoming posts.  How about a key rack, grain sack bulletin board, or chalk board?

Your Vintage Home Product Variety

Some close up photos of the items that will be for sale in the 

Your Vintage Home booth at Swiss Days in Midway 2014

Quilt Cutter Shapes

Can you imagine these beautiful shapes cut from old quilts as ornaments or bowl fillers?  Prices will be $2.50 for the small flat pieces and $5 for the large stuffed hearts.  A small price to pay for feeling the history of these quilts in your hands.  To make into an ornament, embroider around the edge and add a button and a thread loop hanger.  Or, embroider a word or name on a small scrap of fabric and attach it to the shape with a button or primitive stitches.

Grain Sack Trees

How about a Christmas Tree made from grain sacks, feed sacks, and seed sacks?  Some have original or added patches.  Some have a silk-screened crown.   To three I have added a newly grunged flour sack from Lehi Roller Mills.  All have original, antique striping and graphics.  All are a bit grungy.   There are nine in total and probably won't be anymore as the prices on seed sacks is getting too pricey.  The price at Swiss Days will be around $95/tree.