Echoes of Appalachia

Tobacco stringing was a staple of life in Appalachia for generations, offering a modest but steady source of income for families in rural communities. This practice, often passed down through generations, involved sewing drawstrings into cotton or muslin bags used for packaging tobacco. While the task itself was simple, it was incredibly time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring long hours of repetitive stitching. The bags were essential to the tobacco industry, and without them, the tobacco couldn’t be properly prepared for transport and sale. For many families living in the remote hills and hollows of Appalachia, where other work opportunities were limited, stringing tobacco bags became a crucial way to make ends meet.

In particular, women and children were the primary workers involved in this tradition. Women, who often had limited access to jobs outside the home, took on the responsibility of stringing bags as a way to contribute to the household income. For many, it was one of the few ways to earn money without leaving the home, where they also managed the care of children and other domestic tasks. Children, too, played a role in the process. Young ones often learned the skill from their mothers or older siblings, stitching bags alongside their family members and earning small amounts of pocket money. It was a family affair that brought communities together, especially during the colder months when farm work slowed down, and outdoor labor became less demanding. These women and kids were only paid .05 to .13 cents an hour.

Though the work was flexible in the sense that it could be done at home, it was far from easy. The repetitive motion of threading needles and pulling drawstrings through the fabric could leave fingers sore and stiff. The hours spent hunched over fabric, often in dimly lit rooms, took a physical toll on the body. Yet, for many families, the work was necessary—providing just enough to pay bills, buy necessities, or make the difference between getting by and going without. Tobacco stringing became part of the seasonal rhythm of life in Appalachia, a routine passed down through generations as part of the broader fabric of mountain life.

-Tim Carmichael