Julie Williams wrote:

Hi Barb You are dead right in thinking that I cannot use or wear Flax.  Was not very happy when I found that out, because when I was young, I always wanted to get a Linen suit.  I itched the whole time, then when I had skin allergies tests done, that was one of the MANY things that came up that I was allergic to.  I know that it is boring for a lot of you, but we should really stick to wool, silk, mohair like we did with the fibre exchange. (which I eagerly await the return of).  I am posting my fibre tomorrow morning, having finally got to the post office to pick up some bags to send the fibre in.   Hi Wendy I am sending my fibre tomorrow for the scarf exchange.  In my package, I have put a copy of our FeltWEST newsletter.  I would ask though, that the usual considerations be adhered to with regard to copyright.   This coming weekend will be a Public Holiday for us in the West, and I guess I will be busy getting prepared for the Retreat, which will be the following weekend.  In the past, I have not been prepared for what I may want to do, and taken just about everything....lots of wool that I did not use and lots of gear which I may or may not have used.  Anyway, I had a ute, and used to fill it up.  This year, I am going to PLAN, PLAN PLAN.  Even down to what I shall be making, which is totally unlike me.   Best Wishes to you all.    Julie Jaruleeli FeltART Western Australia -------Original Message-------

Hi Julie,

Respectfully, I do not think that everyone else should be exempted from exchanging a fibre that one person cannot use, if it is identified clearly.This way, that the person allergic to a fibre does not get that particular exchange.  I also know of someone allergic to Alpaca fibre.
 I have a problem (severe irritation) with mohair other than kid mohair if worn next to my skin, so for the scarf exchange, didn't include it, as we have the felted item returned.

I do not, in any way mean to demean your problem, I understand it only too well, with many drug, chemical, food allergies & sensitivities myself. I just don't think that everyone else should be limited by them :-)  

Perhaps, when participating, if we state what we can't use when we send in our own fibre, we can all participate freely :-)


Have fun at the retreat, you sound much like me. The last one I went to I had a back injury, so was limited to a basket, hence needle felting & knitted roving was the thing for me then.

Warm regards, Barb