Purina Cow Chow once was contained in the vintage feed bag used for this apron.
The traditional company checkerboard pattern on the bag is in green and the beige background of the sack. The lettering is in red. A vintage flour sack fabric geometric print was used to create the apron sides. The colors in this fabric are green, red and yellow. The 100-pound bag is marked "Use Purina Sanitation." It also notes the chow has 24 percent protein. The apron is trimmed in vintage dark green bias tape. To adjust the length, simply place a knot in the single neck tie where desired.
Both the bag used for this apron and the flour sack fabric have faded areas. There are a few marks on the apron lettering. A few spots appear here and there. The original stitching lines can still be seen. Please consider all of these factors before purchase.
The apron bodice is 12 inches.
The waist is 31 inches.
The length is 36 inches from the top center to the hemline.
The ties are each 31 inches
This apron best fits sizes medium, large or extra-large.
Cold water wash and line dry are recommended to prevent fading and shrinking.
According to the Purina website, William H. Danforth founded the company in 1894. The name was changed to Ralston Purina in 1902. Other internet sources note the checkerboard feed bag patterns cane from customers who wore that same clothing pattern while visiting his father’s general store. Also, the term “chow” on the feed bags came from his time in the Army, with soldiers calling their meals chow. Ralston sold the animal feed business in 1986 to British Patroleum in order to focus on dog and cat food. In 1993, Purina Mills became a stand-alone company after a sale to The Sterling Group of Houston. In 1997 the company sold to Koch Industries Inc. After bankruptcy, the company again become a stand-alone with several subsidiaries.
* Please keep in mind this apron was created from an authentic vintage cloth sack. Photos show the design and print darker than in actuality. While the apron is described as accurately as possible, due to the vintage quality there may be age marks not noted specifically. Also, finding some or many seeds or feed pieces caught in the fabric is quite common. The bags have been washed at least once and many seed/feed pieces have already been removed, but some may remain.
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.