When my local feed store switched from paper to woven chicken feed sacks, I knew there would be recycling potential. After I had collected a few bags, I cut them apart and cleaned them. I let my imagination run wild and eventually decided to turn the brightly illustrated feed sacks into reusable shopping bags. I lined the two larger panels with leftover denim. I knew sewing through the plastic would be challenging, so I bought heavy-duty needles and industrial thread for my sewing machine. I had a few tension issues, but nothing bad enough to stop my progress. I love how my bag came out, and it’s much sturdier than the other reusable shopping bags I take to the store.
For my second project, I decided to make a pillow for my outdoor glider rocker out of a turquoise feed sack. I simply stitched up three sides, clipped the corners and turned it inside out. Then, I stuffed it with fiberfill and blind-stitched the pillow closed. Voilà! This pillow is weatherproof and inexpensive, especially compared with specialty outdoor pillows sold in department stores.
Cerise Welter
Gardendale, Texas
