Flour Sack Towels: For the Hands, the Dishes, and the Home
Flour sack towels, also known as tea towels, have a long history that dates back to the 1800’s when staples such as flour and sugar were packaged in tightly woven cotton bags or “sacks.” By the time the Great Depression hit, these sacks became useful for many things including curtains, aprons, dish towels, and quilting. Supply companies began printing pretty patterns on the sacks and women began trading patterns and collecting them.
This went on for decades until the economy in the mid-century began to boom, and paper bags replaced the cotton ones. Today, this once popular item is now making a comeback. The simplicity of the flour sack towel is being rediscovered as an indispensable item to have around the house. No longer are they just for the kitchen; because they are lint free, they make great dusting cloths for all electronic devices, mirrors, and windows. Their absorbent quality makes them a great hand towel, and the variety of beautiful patterns and prints can pull together a dining room’s table presentation when displayed and used as cloth (reusable) napkins. Here at Lisa-Marie’s, we have a few different artists who offer many designs and styles with their flour sack towels. Jennie Blue Ceramics features black-and-white watercolor portraits of animals, as well as important historical figures such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Greta Thunberg. Garden Fresh Designs and Sea Rose Studios carry a vibrant array of vegetable, fruit, and nature-inspired prints that will bring a pop of color to any home. If you’re searching for the ocean-enthusiast, Trosko and Jane Crosen Mapmaker flour sack towels have got you covered with a selection of nautical maps of Maine’s coastline. Tea towels make a wonderful addition to any gift, especially when traveling. Their flat, lightweight quality allows easy packaging, and the variety of patterns our artists provide gives you the chance to personalize your choice to fit your lucky recipient!