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Hi all! I'm new to the forum I am about to begin a project on 28 ct Cashel linen evenweave. It's going to become the front of a cushion for my couch. It's my first time using linen and for the life of me, I cannot work out if I'm meant to pre-wash it or not. Different sites seem to say very different things! Can anyone give me any first-hand advice? Obviously as it will be a cushion, it may need to be washed in its lifetime, versus a framed piece which won't. Thanks! Lauren

Sure.
I wash most of my projects.
If it's hand dyed make sure to follow the dyers recommendation.
Otherwise, I wash in cool water with Needlework/ Orvus soap, rinsed well and left to dry overnight.

Welcome to the forum.

I never pre-wash my fabric before I start stitching -- cross-stitching or hardanger, that is. Usually because I can't wait to get started! If I'm free embroidering or doing crewel work, I'll wash the linen first to get rid of any sizing or surface treatment, but also to allow it to shrink BEFORE I've stitched on it -- rather than afterwards, which is a disaster when dealing with fancy (non-counted) stitching.

Hi MaggieM1750 and Serinde - thanks so much for the replies. I also contacted the shop where I purchased the linen and they said that it "should" be OK to use unwashed. So I'm going to proceed without washing - I'll try to come back and update this post when I finish, for future forum readers' reference. Thanks too for the welcome to the forum - I think I'll enjoy my time here!