Flour Sack

One of the best things about being the local historian is that I get to preview all of the wonderful artifacts that come to the Historical Society. It is like having a secret treasure until I can give it to everyone else.

A number of years ago I met Mable Loch, a delightful and dedicated woman who has worked for her community for many years. Mable and Ethel Tordoff were two of the first Museum docents over twenty years ago. They helped with fund raisers and kept the Museum doors open many a rainy Sunday. I did not get a chance to recognize them for their efforts in a really public way until now.

Mable brought me this poem after we discussed flour sack towels. We have a few that have been made into clothing in the Museum and we have a new towel donated this winter with a beautiful pattern on it for our "Settler Room". This poem will be transcribed with care onto an appropriate parchment and put in our exhibit. Thank you Mable for your years of support.

"Many a little girl of yesterday wore dresses and bloomers fashioned of the indispensable,"

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 there were no plastic wrap or bags.
The well and the pump were way out back,
A versatile item was the Flour sack.
Pillsbury- Mother's Best and Gold Medal too
Stamped their names proudly in purple and blue.
The string sewn on top was pulled and kept
The flour sack emptied and spills were swept
The bags were folded, and stored in a rack
That durable practical, Flour sack.
The sack could be filled with feathers and down,
For a pillow or it would make a sleeping gown.
It could carry a book and be a school bag
Or become a sack slung over a nag.
It made a very convenient pack.
That adaptable cotton, Flour sack.
Bleached and sew it was dutifully worn
As bibs, diapers or kerchief unadorned.
It was made into skirts, blouses and slips.
And mom braided rugs from 100's of strips
She made ruffled curtains for house or shack
From that humble but treasured, Flour sack.
As a strainer for milk and apple juice,
To wave men in, was a very good use.
As a sling for a sprained wrist or 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 a dish towel embroidered or not
They covered up hot 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 a pan or rack,
That absorbent hardy Flour Sack.

from, Mable Loch