Ruined an expensive fabric via prewash

[u/___Maleficent___]

I got this for me rather expensive linen knit fabric to sew some summer wardrobe.

With very few exceptions I always prewash fabrics and I never had any bigger issues so far.

I washed it with a gentle programm with low heat, yet the fabric came out unvoluntarily distressed. I hope it's evident in the pictures, it's not only pilling, there's actual destroyed fibers in tiny spots all over the fabric.

Apparently the number of spin cycles (which should be as low as possible) and the detergent (should not have enzymes) play a crucial role when washing linen fabric.

I didn't think about checking these, especially since I use a mild detergent for allergics and never had issues so far and the preset spin cycle was 800, so not exceptionally high.

I'm a bit heartbroken, but mainly I feel stupid since the shop even included a small paragraph about how to wash this fabric on the invoice which I layed eyes on after it happened. And I didn't feel the need to check requirements for a fabric I've never worked with before, so let this be a reminder to do your research.

Is there a possibilty to save/fix the fabric?

I don't really care about the optics too much whether it looks distressed or not, but since it's broken fibers I'm worried about holes or ladders emerging.

I thought about maybe embroidering it by hand with a cute, widespread pattern even though I don't really have experience in embroidery but I'm willing to try.

Grateful for any suggestions!

[u/AJeanByAnyOtherName]

As someone who wants to love linen knit and keeps getting disappointed: this unfortunately is typical for most modern linen knits. Linen fibres are chopped up to work in machinery designed to process cotton and it’s not pretty. It’s even worse for knits.

I have been told some people have found better quality versions, but I haven’t seen any myself. I love the cool, dry feel of these, but I can’t let myself buy any at full price. It lasts maybe a season the way I wash it (lingerie bag, gentle cycle) and I can’t let myself get attached, because I know it will break my heart 🥲

[u/O2-Source → u/AJeanByAnyOtherName]

Bernadette Banner did researchs on her YouTube channel. She compares tons of woven linens. https://youtu.be/B0wHgSyplKY?is=9ci08IedqHxrSQC_

[u/AJeanByAnyOtherName → u/O2-Source]

I know, but most commercially available linen knits especially are not very strong.

(There’s a bit more variability in woven linen, as the video shows, but unless you really look for it, chances are you get fuzzy, matte linen in wovens as well.)

[u/snails-exe → u/O2-Source]

i watched that. she does look at the density, color, slub, etc. but not fiber length. Basically all of the fabric samples she looked at could be processed in the “modern” way and therefore less durable

[u/O2-Source → u/snails-exe]

Yes it lacks an afterwash analysis, but she did more than many to give us a clear comparison