Historical information
Flour bags were a useful source of material to be repurposed into domestic objects in the early 20th century. This object, fashioned from two well-known brands of flour bag, was most likely used as a pillowcase.
Significance
The pillowcase provides an example of how flour bags were recycled and repurposed into useful domestic objects in the early 20th century.
Physical description
Two flour bags opened out and sewn together to create a possible pillowcase. The open end has a tie sewn to each side to enable the pillowcase to be closed. The bags have been sewn with the inscriptions on the inside of the pillowcase.
Inscriptions & markings
Side 1
25LBS GROSS WHEN PACKED, John Darling & Son, ECLIPSE, ROLLER FLOUR, MELBOURNE
Side 2
O-SO-LITE, Self-raising, FLOUR, Creamy & Delicious, O-SO-LITE PRODUCTS, 412 COLLINS ST MELBOURNE, C.I. Decoration of wheat stalks surround the inscription.
Subjects
References
- Website – Heritage Council Victoria Heritage listing of John Darling and Son Flour Mill – Sydney St Albion. Contains information about the date and significance of both the flour mill in Albion (built early 20th century) and the flour business of ‘John Darling and Son’.
- Website – Riverina Rewind – Murrumbidgee Mill’s Wagga Lily Flour bags were recycled for decades. Contains information about the use of flour bags for different purposes – e.g. clothing and pillowcases plus the use of the flour bags to line ‘Wagga quilts’.
