bottom and cut that strip off. It will be used for handles.
I look at the pattern on the front of the bag to decide what
I want to show on the finished product – I like pictures of
animals. Remember that there will be several inches on
the bottom of the bag, so aim for a design that is printed
high. This will make more sense after the nesting hen
design you wanted on the front ends up on the bottom,
out of sight.
Turn the sack inside out. Wipe with a wet soapy rag
if feed crumbs are still obvious. This is a good job for
grandkids and/or husbands.
Sew a seam across the bottom about a half inch from
the edge; then do it again close to the first seam to double
lock it. I was worried that the sewing machine needle
would break, but I went slowly and eased off a little on
the tension and it went fine.
AND I give them as gifts to friends who laugh with
delight (I hope it’s delight…). Grandmother Hatcher
would probably smile, too.
Becky Hatcher Crabtree lives on Peter’s
Mountain in Monroe County. She is retired as a
school principal from the North Slope of Alaska
and is currently a substitute teacher at Peterstown
Middle School. She coaches girls’ basketball and
enjoys her grandchildren and numerous pets.
For more information on the history of cotton fabric feed
sacks: http://www.buchanancountyhistory.com/feedsack.
php; http://www.rickrack.com/feedsack.html
For other, possibly better, directions on how to make tote
bags: http://www.communitychickens.com/2012/06/
diy-chicken-feed-sack-tote.html#.Uv91Bv3uelI [THE
BEST]; http://www.instructables.com/id/Feed-Bag-Tote-Bag
Fold the sack bottom in the middle and mark a line
across each corner, making equal sized triangles. Stitch
on each line and fold corners inward. This is the hardest
part. Turn bag right side out and straighten out the
corners. It should stand up on a rectangular bottom like a
paper grocery bag.
Make straps for handles. Use the 3-4 inch strips that
were trimmed at the start. Cut in half (2 straps). Fold
each in the middle; then fold each edge to the middle. I
use paper clips to hold it in place. Sew one stich near the
outside edge. Voila, handles.
Fold down the top edge of the bag twice, center and
insert the straps underneath the folded top, one on the
front and one on the back and sew twice around the top
catching the straps in place. When you sew the handles,
this is the thickest material to be sewed, so be sure and
take your time.
Reinforce the straps with extra stitching, a box, an X,
or just a couple of short parallel lines. Trim stray thread
ends. Presto, you have a tote!
If no one interrupts you wanting food or you don’t
sew your finger and have to stop for a band aid, you can
finish the tote in an hour. It is retro-chic, I am told and
sells for $10 and up on etsy.com. I use them to carry
books to school or groceries (because I haven’t yet
thought up a good way to repurpose plastic grocery bags)
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 25