As it is often said “something good, comes out of something bad” and it is true with the story from krex’s blog “Eye of Time” Read her ETSY buyer beware story. I think she is pretty nice not to disclose the fiber sellers name.
Krex: “I recently bought some fiber on Etsy that was advertised as “washed” but with small amount of Veg. matter. They lied . What I received was smelly, greasy, had large and small sticks and even some beetles! I have never given negative feedback on Etsy because I hate conflict. However, I am rethinking this habit after receiving so many wrong orders, half felted roving advertised as “buttery soft and ready to spin” and this current nightmare of filthy fiber . Buyer beware . Statistically, I have received more great fiber then bad and try and let the great fiber dyers know how much I appreciate them but it is always a gamble and best to buy in small quantities when trying a new seller.
I tried hand washing this but after the 4th changing of water that was still dark brown…I gave up and put the whole thing into the washing machine on cold, with laundry soap and in a “delicates bag” . I just washed it on regular cycle….agitation included. I figured I would end up with a lump of felt but was willing to risk the experiment as I am so low on fiber and wanted to see how these colors work . The fiber itself was fine, a nice white and grey mottled Corriedale . I then through the bag into the drier on cool/fluff cycle and once mostly dry, spread it out to dry .
The end result was 80% usable fiber but still had to be picked through to remove felted nubs and additional vegi matter . Some had to just be discarded as the vegi matter in some areas had been crushed to tiny pieces that couldn’t be removed<—-that was there before I washed it and not caused by the washing but the washing didn’t remove it . Anyway , if I hadn’t been so desperate for fiber, I’m sure I would have just thrown it all in the recycle bin but I HAVE to have something to felt and this turned into an interesting experiment as I found I really like the pre-combed natural fiber and think it has a much more realistic “animal” look . I won’t be returning to this seller but an now looking for more natural uncombed fiber with color variations . I’m hoping that I can make some possible trades for some felted animals with an interested fiber seller during Shepherds Harvest but I will be able to check it before buying which will be a nice change over the mystery of buying on-line and I don’t plan on doing my own washing any time soon”.
