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"THE FLOUR SACK”
IN THAT LONG AGO TIME WHEN THINGS WERE SAVED,
WHEN ROADS WERE GRAVELED AND BARRELS WERE STAVED,
WHEN WORN-OUT CLOTHING WAS USED AS RAGS,
AND THE WELL AND THE PUMP WERE WAY OUT BACK,
A VERSITILE ITEM, WAS THE FLOUR SACK.
PILLSBURY'S BEST, MOTHER'S AND GOLD MEDAL, TOO
STAMPED THEIR NAMES PROUDLY IN PURPLE AND BLUE.
THE STRING SEWN ON TOP WAS PULLED AND KEPT;
THE FLOUR EMPTIED AND SPILLS WERE SWEPT.
THE BAG WAS FOLDED AND STORED IN A SACK
THAT DURABLE, PRACTICAL FLOUR SACK.
THE SACK COULD BE FILLED WITH FEATHERS AND DOWN,
FOR A PILLOW, OR T'WOULD MAKE A NICE SLEEPING GOWN.
IT COULD CARRY A BOOK AND BE A SCHOOL BAG,
OR BECOME A MAIL SACK SLUNG OVER A NAG.
IT MADE A VERY CONVENIENT PACK,
THAT ADAPTABLE, COTTON FLOUR SACK.
BLEACHED AND SEWN, IT WAS DUTIFULLY WORN
AS BIBS, DIAPERS, OR KERCHIEF ADORNED.
IT WAS MADE INTO SKIRTS, BLOUSES AND SLIPS.
AND MOM BRAIDED RUGS FROM ONE HUNDRED STRIPS
SHE MADE RUFFLED CURTAINS FOR THE HOUSE OR SHACK,
FROM THAT HUMBLE BUT TREASURED FLOUR SACK!
AS A STRAINER FOR MILK OR APPLE JUICE,
TO WAVE MEN IN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD USE,
AS A SLING FOR A SPRAINED WRIST OR A BREAK,
TO HELP MOTHER ROLL UP A JELLY CAKE,
AS A WINDOW SHADE OR TO STUFF A CRACK,
WE USED A STURDY, COMMON FLOUR SACK!
AS DISH TOWELS, EMBROIDERED OR NOT,
THEY COVERED UP DOUGH, HELPED PASS PANS SO HOT,
TIED UP DISHES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED,
AND FOR MEN OUT IN THE FIELD TO SEED.
THEY DRIED DISHES FROM PAN, NOT RACK
THAT ABSORBENT, HANDY FLOUR SACK!
WE POLISHED AND CLEANED STOVE AND TABLE,
SCOURED AND SCRUBBED FROM CELLAR TO GABLE,
WE DUSTED THE BUREAU AND OAK BED POST,
MADE COSTUMES FOR OCTOBER (A SCARY GHOST)
AND A PARACHUTE FOR A CAT NAMED JACK.
FROM THAT LOWLY, USEFUL OLD FLOUR SACK!
SO NOW MY FRIENDS, WHEN THEY ASK YOU
AS CURIOUS YOUNGSTERS OFTEN DO, "BEFORE PLASTIC WRAP, ELMERS GLUE,
AND PAPER TOWELS, WHAT DID YOU DO ?"TELL THEM LOUDLY AND WITH PRIDE DON'T LACK,
"GRANDMOTHER HAD THAT WONDERFUL FLOUR SACK!"
*Pictured- All of the dresses were made from Flour Sacks.
History:
The people of the Woodland Indian cultures (from 800 B.C.E.) were the first people in South East Ohio to make pottery for storing and cooking food. Known to archeologists as the Adena, Hopewell and Late Woodland cultures, each group developed its own distinct pot shapes and decorations. European settlers later colonized the area and established small backyard potteries, known as Bluebird Potteries. The potteries operated out of small sheds and thus their openings were an annual spring event, just like the return of the bluebirds. With the onset of the industrial revolution, pottery manufacture became mechanized. Mass production of slip cast wares became common. The Art Pottery movement (1880-1940’s) began as a response to the standardization of mass production. Many fine, collectible, individually made Art Pottery pieces were created until about 1950 when the industry again returned to production of large volume commercial pottery. The collection of the National Ceramic Museum and Heritage Center contains many fine examples of Art Pottery and other pieces that date from the 1880’s to the present. Today, the region is still home to many excellent pottery manufacturers, producing high quality wares for discriminating buyers. Many fine artists, ceramic sculptors and potters also choose to live in the area and create their art works. The region is known as a global center for the production of pottery and ceramic arts.
The people of the Woodland Indian cultures (from 800 B.C.E.) were the first people in South East Ohio to make pottery for storing and cooking food. Known to archeologists as the Adena, Hopewell and Late Woodland cultures, each group developed its own distinct pot shapes and decorations. European settlers later colonized the area and established small backyard potteries, known as Bluebird Potteries. The potteries operated out of small sheds and thus their openings were an annual spring event, just like the return of the bluebirds. With the onset of the industrial revolution, pottery manufacture became mechanized. Mass production of slip cast wares became common. The Art Pottery movement (1880-1940’s) began as a response to the standardization of mass production. Many fine, collectible, individually made Art Pottery pieces were created until about 1950 when the industry again returned to production of large volume commercial pottery. The collection of the National Ceramic Museum and Heritage Center contains many fine examples of Art Pottery and other pieces that date from the 1880’s to the present. Today, the region is still home to many excellent pottery manufacturers, producing high quality wares for discriminating buyers. Many fine artists, ceramic sculptors and potters also choose to live in the area and create their art works. The region is known as a global center for the production of pottery and ceramic arts.
Have A Great Day....
