The height of DIY, pluckiness, sheer will, and creativity in America just may have been during the Great Depression. Case in point: flour-sack dresses.

photo, oldphotoarchive.com
No, don’t picture a “sad sack,” readers. These dresses had style!
Take a look at these two sisters, plus their matching dollies.

photo, oldphotoarchive.com
The flour companies were so impressed and inspired by the women making do with what they had, they began upgrading the designs of their sacks. Not just plain beige, oh no, they came up with all sorts of prints and patterns that would rival any aisle at today’s JoAnn Fabrics.
Scottie Dog lover? Got you covered, ma’am.

photo, oldphotoarchive.com
Some manufactures even began printing patterns for craft projects on their fabric. Kind of like how today’s cereal boxes have little cut-out projects for your kids to take some scissors to after they’ve gotten to the bottom of their breakfast favorites.
“Mommy and Me” dresses were popular, too, and can’t you just see yourself as a little girl heading out shopping, and spying a beautiful new play dress in that bag of whole wheat?

photo, oldphotoarchive.com
Times may have been tough and lean in the 1930s, but the ladies weren’t about to give up style and femininity.
No, sir.
Or more to the point, no, ma’am.