Otterbein, Indiana
The ladies at the Illiana Steam Pop-Off showed very unusual
articles. One woman had two large rugs made from old felt hats ~
the pieces were cut the size of a silver dollar, a half-dollar and
a quarter. These were laid one on another in artistically blending
colors and sewed to burlap and the whole formed into patterns of
bought the fringe for the rugs in Portland, Oregon, saying she
could not find it in Indiana. She confessed to buying 71 felt hats
last week at a rummage sale. Mrs. Byers also brought two lovely
rugs made of French knots. Everyone thought they were hooked rugs
until she explained how they were made of thousands of knots.
Other interesting rugs were braided, the wool having come from
the blanket factory at Bloomfield, Indiana. There was also a string
rug which was very interesting and practical.
The interest our women are showing in rocks and fossils is
amazing. One woman just started collecting last Labor Day and now
has a fine collection of fossil insects, ferns, seed pods, etc. She
said that one rock in ten that you crack open will contain the
fossils. Your State Conservation Department can send you booklets
as to where to go looking for fossils.
Several of our women are very much interested in dolls: antique
dolls, dressing dolls authentically in the clothes of various
countries, and also in dollhouses and in making miniature
furniture. Of course, cooking is a great hobby, but we are afraid
to exhibit that for fear it will disappear!
Our list of interests would cover practically everything in a
hobby book.
