Feed Sack Fashion

One printed, plain weave cotton feed sack, unstitched wtih band paper label.
Print is a purple ground with a pattern of mandolins with green and orange accents.
Label reads "PILLSBURY'S BEST/XXXX/FEEDS." "100 LBS." Circa 1940s.; MNHS

My Marilyn in a Potato Sack Post got me thinking about I adore feed cloth.  It's beautiful and usable.  Our industrious ancestors used this cloth not only to fold the life giving flour, but for a multitude of cloth articles in the home including towels, rags, clothing, toys, blankets, aprons, and a multitude of other amazing things.

Feed sack, Thrift Egg Mash Feed,
 Pillsbury Company, Minneapolis, MN, ca. 1950.; MNHS

Beginning in the 1800's, women started using their feed cloth for other purposes.  Companies would then create beautiful patterns to entice people to buy their products.  This lasted until post WWII when it became cheaper and considered more sanitary to use other methods such as paper 

Patchwork half apron made from dress print feed sacks.
Circa 1940-50.; MNHS

While many sources say this is still available in the Midwest.  I live in the Midwest and have never seen it available in stores.

Small feed sack quilt featuring dress prints in a tumbling blocks pattern.
Circa 1940-50.; MNHS