Laura is a writer, illustrator, and artist living in New York City.

Times were lean during the Great Depression, so scrimping and saving — and reusing everything possible — was a way of life.


Today, people still love to save money and reduce waste through clever DIY projects, like turning old tires into lovely ottomans. But in those days, “doing it yourself” wasn’t a trend; it was a necessity.

In those difficult times, if women wanted to provide for their families, they had to get creative — especially when it came to clothing.

That’s when women noticed that one of their food staples — flour — came in cotton sacks. Innovative and desperate, they often emptied the sacks and used the fabric to make clothing for their children.


But when flour sack manufacturers caught word of the trend, they decided to reinvent the way they packed their flour — and the results are stunning!

Did you or anyone you know ever wear a flour sack dress? Let us know in the comments below.

(h/t: Kindness Blog)