Bread Wrapper Rugs

Bread Wrapper Rugs FARM HOME Furniture 6-3-31 "If you can crochet, you can make bread-wrapper rugs," says Freda Piepenburg, of Whitewater, Wis. "A sister-in-law learned how to make them from a friend and she, in turn, taught me," explains Freda. "All my friends and relatives save their bread wrappers for me. I file the different colored wrappers into individual bags so I can locate them quickly when I need a different color." Freda cuts the bread wrappers into 1-in. strips, then folds and crochets them into rugs using a crochet hook. It takes from 100 to 125 bread wrappers to complete a 20 by 36 in. rug. Freda can complete one in about 2 1/2 days. "I work on the rugs at intervals throughout the day. Sometimes, I work on them as I watch TV, or listen to the radio. It just comes automatic to me as I crochet the breadwrappers into place," Freda points out. She creates round, oval and rectangular shaped rugs ù whatever her customers desire: "One of my nieces asked me to make her a rug 1 ft. by 2 ft. She worked in a factory and had to stand all day on a concrete floor. The rug proved soft and comfortable for her to stand on. Several farm wives keep a bread wrapper rug in the entry-way for youngsters and adults to clean their feet before coming into the kitchen or family room. The rugs are strong, durable and take a lot of wiping abuse," Freda points out. "The rugs also make excellent mats to use in front of the kitchen sink. The bread wrappers are comfortable to stand on as you do the dishes. They're also easy to clean. Just submerge the rug in warm, soapy water, then hang it on the clothesline to dry. Many owners tell me they've been using their bread-wrapper rugs for several years with no signs of wear, Freda told FARM SHOW.

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.