Chandler Museum to feature WWII, Great Depression era clothing exhibit ‘Thrift Style’

PHOENIX — An exhibit featuring the works of reused feed sacks during the Great Depression and World War II will open in September at the Chandler Museum for a limited time.

Forty-one pieces from patterns to garments will be on display from Sept. 6 to Nov. 27 near Chandler Boulevard and McClintock Drive, giving a view into the past when economic hardship and war pushed families to approach resource-saving alternatives.

Visitors passing through the “Thrift Style” exhibit can expect to see snapshots of domestic life during World War II, after the federal government limited household fabric use in an effort to promote repurposing items already available to them, according to a press release.

The reuse of feed, flour and sugar sacks was cost-saving, allowing for women to make items for their families. It pushed manufacturers to promote how-to brochures and booklets with clothing designs.

Other events will coordinate with the exhibit over the next few months.

Local artists and vendors whose work aligns with the exhibit’s theme will be highlighted at the “Market at the Museum: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” scheduled for Oct. 23 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

An upcycled games play day is set for Oct. 22, while visitors can also hear more on repurposing flour sacks into fashion at a history event on Nov. 1. The full list of programs can be found online.

The Chandler Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Monday.

Admission into the museum is free.

The “Thrift Style” exhibit is organized by The Historic Costume and Textile Museum, the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art and ExhibitsUSA.

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