By ANN ALLEN
Indiana Correspondent

ROCHESTER, Ind. — Knowing that a thread of blue denim unites farm families, Kathy Hopper took 50 of her denim chenille rugs to the June 19-21 Fulton County Historical Power Show.

It was the first time the Peru, Ind., single mother of two had attended a farm show, and she liked what she saw. And, visitors liked what she had to display.

The owner of T.J. Phillips Fabric Shop in Peru for the past 20 years, Hopper said, “In this economy, everyone needs to think of new ideas, try new markets and recycle as much as possible.”
Her rugs, which included some woven from plastic grocery bags as well as blue denim, were proof she meant what she said. Her denim rugs made from donated old blue jeans were as soft as any chenille bedspread or bathrobe.

“I have to use donated materials,” she said. “Otherwise, the rugs would be too costly.”

Hopper, whose primary business is making custom draperies, slipcovers, shades, valances, purses and gift items, has been making the denim rugs for three years, selling them primarily at shows. She plans to patent her designs.

Each rug takes much work and many blue jeans. For instance, a 24-by-36-inch rug selling for $35 requires six pairs of blue jeans. The jeans, cut into narrow strips that are sewn on an industrial sewing machine to recycled denim backings, become rugs that are immediately washed.

“The more you wash them, the softer they get,” she said. Still, like all denim, she expects they will wear almost forever.
She doesn’t do area rugs, but she will make rugs to order and in special sizes. Normally, the rugs range from 18-by-24 inches to runners 24-by-90 inches, and she makes every rug herself.
“I do my own shows,” she said. “When I’m at a show, I have to close my shop.”

She doesn’t have a website yet, but may be contacted at 765-472-7950 or by e-mail at Tjphillips991@comcast.net