I don't wash or iron any material before starting unless it's written somewhere that the material SHOULD be washed so it doesn't shrink so go ahead & get started. Wash your finished project in lukewarm or cold water with recommended soap.

You probably need to zig-zag the edges or use Fray-check ... I know some don't like it because of chemical smell, but I love the smell of Fray-check in the morning! :) Wagner, too! :)

I can't get the picture of those stitchers videoing themselves out of my head...it's like a Monty Python skit rolling through my head! Little old ladies running amuck, hoops & scissors hither and thither... First pictures were out of Law&Order, though...there might be something seriously wrong with my brain...sans explosion. :)

Thank you so much for your tips. It's is exciting I can get started with little or no prep =)

No. For me. I just do my cross stitch on the fabric as it come. You can iron it before you take it to be framed if you want and by using a wet towel and let the water drip from it and just squeeze it from the water and lay the cross stitch fabric and then the wet towel and iron it. Good luck. I hope that help you.