vintage grain sacks
I love antiques. Whether it is a charming old house, a vintage accessory or a well-crafted piece of furniture, I adore things of quality and age. That is not to say I want a dowdy, out of style old lady house — I love mixing old and new to create my own personal style.
I just think it is remarkably special to own unique pieces with a real history. I love knowing that a piece was around way back when. There is something beautiful about an antique that no piece made today can quite capture!
Of course, I have nothing against Pottery Barn, IKEA, Crate & Barrel, Target, HomeGoods or any other home store that sells new furniture, replicas or look-alikes. I shop at those places from time to time myself. Certainly there is a time and a place to buy new or imitation.
But the pieces in my home that I treasure the most, and will in all likelihood still display and admire twenty to thirty or more years from now, are the ones with the most history. The ones that have a soul.
Antiques have a story to tell. Just like my grandpa who shared adventure tales from long ago, an antique tells stores far more interesting than any discount home store accessory could ever dream up.
Newly painted particle board is no match for the patina and richness of the antique wood. I adore the beauty of vintage textiles and the richness of an old oil painting. While I am no purist or antique snob, I do have a fondness for authenticity.
And if we are concerned about dollars (and of course we are), buying an antique we can keep forever doesn’t have to cost any more than throwing money at cheap imitations year after year. Many antiques you buy today will likely last a lifetime. If you love trendy decor, it can be expensive to keep up with what is hot and what’s not!
Just when you get all the latest stuff and start feeling all trendy, you open up a new magazine to realize your things are already hopelessly out of style. Or worse, they have fallen apart and it is time to reinvest in what is new. With antiques, you can blend a style all your own — one that can evolve over a lifetime and last just as long as you do. You don’t have to be a slave to trends dictated by someone else.
{GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED} Speaking of antiques, today we have a FABULOUS rare giveaway (see photo and description below). I SO want to win it. But of course, I can’t win because of that tiny small voice inside that says that would be just wrong of me.
One of my amazing blog partners, 3 Fine Grains, is sponsoring this giveaway today (yes, full disclosure, I am NOT this generous). I met Kymberley from 3 Fine Grains through a real life friend who knew we’d hit it off! Kymberley is an interior designer who has found her passion in antique textiles. So what is she giving away?
THIS IS THE PRIZE!
An authenticated antique German grain sack!
The photo above is of an over 100 year old authentic German grain sack. Can you imagine? THIS is the prize! The fabric AND the ink, the whole sack is the REAL DEAL! In fact, it is SO AWESOME and rare it has a value of $450!
It is a work of art from history, pure craftsmanship made to last hundreds and hundreds of years. These sacks were made to be extremely durable! As Kymberley points out on her website, they had to be thrown in the back of wagons, they were crafted to be left laying out in fields and strewn about mills.
These authentic grain sacks are more durable than any fabric you will find in modern shops so they can stand up to abuse from children and animals for a lifetime. And they are safe for people you love…they are made from organic hemp linen, all pesticide and chemical free. You can wash and dry many of them, or if you want to, you can dry clean them.
These sacks are not found mass produced for a chain discount store, these are found hidden under floor boards of charming old farmhouses or tucked away in the keepsakes of ladies from long ago. Oh the tales of adventure they could tell!
An authentic grain sack is something you WILL NOT throw away or dump on the curbside when the trendies decide grain sacks are so out. Because beautiful antiques are never out or trendy. These authentic sacks are classics and only become more beautiful with age.
Certain fads based on REAL ANTIQUES like grain sacks may come in and out of vogue, but the authenticity and charm of a real antique surpasses the whims of what is in and what’s out. That is the beauty of an antique. You enjoy them for their beauty and craftsmanship, not for their trendiness.
I love that a grain sack is versatile. You can use it to create whatever you want. So go ahead and dream. What would you do with an authentic grain sack? Cover a beloved chair? Make a stunning pillow cover? Hang in a window? Upholster a footstool? Oh, the options!
My stork pillow. Oh how I love thee.
I myself am in love with my own French grain sack pillow, also from 3 Fine Grains. Look at that stork! Sigh. I adore it. I hug it. I admire it. I tell its tales to any one who will listen. The original ink is so vivid and beautiful, the photos do not do it justice. It is beautiful. The texture is so amazing I run my hands across it almost every time I walk by. Yes, I am weird like that. Do I have that kind of love for all of my material things? No, not really. I do love my home and the treasures I’ve gathered, but there is just something special about beauty that only comes with age. I can say that now that I am over 40. I’m rapidly becoming somewhat of an antique myself.
Here it is again, the rare prize.
So, what would you use that over 100 year old authentic German grain sack for, should you be the lucky one to win it for yourself? Let’s dream about the options in the comments! Only one person will win at random, but because I like to spread the joy and have more people enjoy the beauty, you can enter up to FOUR times by promoting this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or your blog as well as a comment here. This is fun. Giveaway ends on Saturday, August 22nd midnight PST and winner will be announced next week! I promise, it won’t be me.
You can see more lovely things from 3 Fine Grains on Kymberley’s website! I love reading what she shares about the grain sacks, their quality and their history, so it is a recommended visit!
This giveaway generously sponsored by 3 Fine Grains.
But my adoration of authentic grain sacks is 100% heartfelt and genuinely expressed by me.
Thank you for entering, the GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!
Uh-oh. Is the “random” winner EVER the #1 post? But anyway here I am and dreaming of the pillow I would make w/that gorgeous sack. Off to peruse the 3 Grains site…
if i win, i’ll take real god care of this piece.
Since I live so close to Germany, I OUGHT to win this dontchaknow, lol.
I think I would cover a little chair I have. OR maybe make a stunning pillow from it. Or…….:) OH there are SO many things to do with it. HECK I think I would frame it as is!!!
.-= Marian´s last blog ..something from the garden =-.
Wow! What a wonderful find! I feel very connected to my German heritage so this certainly would be something special to have in my home. I’m really into art right now. Using different things to make a unique look. So honestly, I think I would frame it and hang it in my livingroom. It would be perfect in there!
.-= Nicol´s last blog ..What do you do when….. =-.
Wow! What an incredibly generous giveaway! I’d love this so much if it were to be mine! It would definitely connect me to my heritage of German immigrants who farmed in a river valley in Kansas during the 1880′s and beyond.
.-= Kitty Scraps´s last blog ..Wicker Bookcases Makeover =-.
Oh how beautiful they are! Trendy as they are at the moment certainly, they have a timelessness to them that I covet. We bought our first house last year and I have furnished it entirely with antiques found on ebay from the lime-upholstered Victorian chesterfield sofa to the inlaid piano. The comforting age of these pieces and the thrill of hunting them down (on a very, VERY tight budget) makes them far more meaningful in my home than if I had just clicked on the latest pieces on a mass production website.
Now to look some more at these grain sacks…
I’m pretty sure I would make a pillow (or two) because my leather furniture needs some texture! I just found grain sacks for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was stunned at how beautiful they feel. And the price—-they were $100 each, so I need to win this.
.-= Sara´s last blog ..7 Quick Takeses (Gollum Edition) =-.
I once had a stack of 100 year old feed sacks like this from our local area. When our barn burned to the ground a few years ago, they ALL were lost. What a fitting replacement winning this would be!
ooh – I think I would go with a pillow…much fun!
.-= jodi´s last blog ..Yeah, I’d Do It All Over Again =-.
I have always wondered where people track these sort of gems down? And who was the foresighted person to save the grain sack in the first place?
Amazing.
I would adore to make a carpet bag, with thick saddlery leather handles and buckle closure.
.-= philippa´s last blog ..Swip Swap =-.
How beautiful, endless possibilities. I would probably recover a chair!
Oh, how beautiful! I have a chair my husband’s great-grandfather made that needs desperately to be reupholstered and that grain sack would be just perfect.
.-= TeriLynne´s last blog ..My Hope ~ "Until Later" =-.
You did a great job putting into words the enchantment of something like this.
I would love to win– for all the reasons you state! Plus, being a textile addict!
Thanks for the chance!
.-= Leila´s last blog ..Quick homemade baby gift, frugal and bright! =-.
Pick me, pick me, that thing is gorgeous! Thanks to both of you for a great giveaway.
I would love to win!
I would LOVE to win!!!! ahhhhh ~~~~ how neat that would be to own …… Laura in Houston
What an icredible give away! I love the chairs covered in these textiles on Kymberley’s website. I would be content with a pillow of this beautiful fabric. Thank you and Kymberley for this wonderful offer!
.-= Kathleen Grace´s last blog ..Guess What? =-.
Wow, is that grain sack ever beautiful – My mind is swirling, a pillow, chair cover, a wall hanging….I don’t know! Pick me!
.-= Terry´s last blog ..Big Brother Spoiler!! =-.
That is gorgeous! I love the type on it. I’d have to see the size to know for sure what I’d do with it. But…a pillow is always great, or I’d recover a footstool that I have, or use as a window covering. Such an exciting give-away! Thank you!
.-= Pam´s last blog ..I Did Something A Little Unconventional Yesterday… =-.
I would definately make it into a pillow! What a cool giveaway!
Isn’t it amazing how something so simple and once utilitarian can make such an impression on us in this day and age. I’m sure no one ever thought that they would be anything more than a functional item when they were first made, but they will be appreciated for many more years to come by those who appreciate their quality craftsmanship and beauty. I would keep it in its original state and just frame it.
Sue
.-= Sue´s last blog ..A boiled owl….. and other Thrifty Treasures =-.
Great givewaway! I have the perfect chair just waiting for a new seat!
.-= Dawn-Hydrangea Home´s last blog ..Summer in Northport, LI =-.
What to do, what to do? I think I would find a way to incorporate it into a quilt with the front of the grain sack in the center and a simple one-patch surrounding it. Maybe in Kaari Meng’s new line when it comes out in the fall. I can actually picture this in my head! I need to redo our bedroom and this is the perfect jumping point.
.-= Karin´s last blog ..5K Day!! =-.
wow….what a generous giveaway! I have the perfect spot to hang it (I actually bought burlap and stencils a few weeks ago to try to make my own, but ended up using the burlap for a table covering!)
.-= cathy´s last blog ..Party Details =-.
I just twittered the give away:>)
.-= Kathleen Grace´s last blog ..Guess What? =-.
Oh my! This is gorgeous. And I totally understand how one can walk by an object and just touch it for the sake of pleasure. It’s perhaps a maternal instinct used to demonstrate love?
If this beauty came to my house, I would initially have it framed. I’m thinking it would be stunning in an authentic antique frame that also had enough character to be worthy of displaying such a treasure!
What a generous offering!
.-= Sue´s last blog ..Poor little bee…NOT. =-.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/back40life/statuses/3380117552
.-= jodi´s last blog ..Yeah, I’d Do It All Over Again =-.
In my mind, I see throw pillows, framed sacks, ottomans, Roman shades or the centerpiece of a rustic quilt. But I think that I would bleach it out a little, stretch it and frame it in the bottom of a serving tray. I can see it in the bottom of a dark wooden tray with a rustic bread, some potted preserves and stoneware plates.
.-= Heather @ what’s happening this week´s last blog ..August Garden Bloggers Bloom Day – Purples =-.
I love the “stories” the best too
My friends give me such a hard time when I can’t part with something – “Everything” of yours “has a story!” they like to tease! Antiques are the best! These linens are wonderful – on my way to see more!
I love this. I think I would have a pillow made with it, but maybe I would have a stool or bench covered with it. My husband lived in Germany and we have promised my son we would take him. What a beautiful piece to enjoy!!! I will also post this on my facebook page!
oooooooooh — I have a little slipper chair that is begging to be recovered in something wonderful — this would be JUST the thing!
I would make a pillow or two for my new couch. What amazing pillows, thanks for linking this marvelous site.
.-= Lori´s last blog ..My Daughter the Quilt Designer =-.
Oooooohhhh, ahhhh, it’s lovely. I think I would hold it for a while, and enjoy the texture and then see what spoke to me….lol….and maybe make a pillow or maybe make an apron……or I do have an ottoman I”d love to cover (yea, the one the puppy chewed the corner of!!!)….thanks for a fantastic giveaway. I’m off to see her lovely things….
Suzanne
.-= suzanne´s last blog ..May you find wisdom today….. =-.
I would have to make a beautiful pillow out of this, but sadly would not get to use it myself b/c my sons name is Conrad (old family name from the German side of the family) and he would claim it for himself! The poor boy always complains that he will never find anything with his name printed on it and constantly checks out store displays of keychains, pencils etc. looking for his name in vain. He would be so excited!
There are so many options i’m not sure exactly what I would do but I’m thinking I’d use it as a wall hanging to start with
Thanks for the giveaway
meg
onourwayonline.com
.-= Meg´s last blog ..Kroger Mega Savings Event & $30 giveaway =-.
What an amazing piece of history! It is stunning.
I would give this to my 84 year old antique collecting mama for Christmas.
http://twitter.com/greenhangershop
http://www.thegreenhangershop.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/thegreenhangershop
That makes four! I would enter more if you allowed! Wonderful treat for the winner!
Oooh…this is one of the best giveaways I’ve ever seen!
.-= Jeannine @ Small and Chic´s last blog ..Home decor knock offs =-.
Oh I hope I win this–I love love love any sort of vintage textile–this has my name all over it!
wow that is gorgeous
) (leaning towards my bedroom!)
honestly I am not entirely sure what I would do with ~ but I am pretty sure I can find a spot!
.-= Cathie´s last blog ..mad money =-.
Of course, I had to tweet it.
http://twitter.com/Smallchic/status/3381359006
.-= Jeannine @ Small and Chic´s last blog ..Home decor knock offs =-.
Gosh….i’d have to really think about what to do with something so priceless, but would probably do a pillow or something that would be out to show ALL THE TIME! thanks for the giveaway!
I am soo in love with this antique German grain sack! My husband is of Germanic heritage. We are currently renovating our kitchen in an old world European design and this grain sack would be PERFECT in our new space!!!! I love it! Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway! I love her website, too!
Teresa
If I won (please please let it be so), I believe I would attempt to make that grain sack into a roman shade covering for a window (pick one). Love these things sooo much.
LindaSonia (baddabinda@yahoo.com)
Not gonna lie… I’d probably leave it as a sack and put real grain in it. Seriously.
That thing would rock it out in my kitchen. LOVE. Off to Tweet about it now!
.-= My First Kitchen´s last blog ..Chile Cheese Bake =-.
A pillow, I think. I love things with history, too!
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Kitchen Questions =-.
Hi, I am of German descent. It would be really awesome to have a piece of German history in my home. I would love to turn one of these lovely grain sacks into a pillow for my bed.
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
Sharon
slw_kerr@yahoo.com
I don’t think I would trust my sewing skills to do much more than make a pillow of it. However, it makes me think of my grandmother’s “guest quilt” made by her aunt out of grain sacks and clothing-fabric scraps.
I completely agree with you Melissa about the charm of an authentic antique gracing the home. What a generous offering from Kimberley- I could imagine it as a plump pillow on my white sofa, or maybe as a slip cover on a chair-eek! Gorgeous ,gorgeous!
~Amber T.
I think I would frame it in an antique frame and hang it in the hallway leading to the garden.