Please note, your linen may have markings, which are purposeful (see the picture). Some of these markings are more or less prevalent from piece to piece. We dye linens to look like old fabric, which means they may have spots, splotches, and "stains." This is not a flat-color fabric -- it is meant to look like hand-dyed fabric, weathered and worn. :)
This is a lovely Zweigart-based fabric -- soft, but firm. Friendly, yet fiercely independent.
About the linen...
I dye in small batches, which means the linen you're getting is super-unique. I like hand-dyed linens that look hand-dyed. That look like they've been in grandma's attic for eighty years. That have veins, splotches, stains, drips, water marks, surprising bits of color, and pizazz! Every piece of linen is different. You can use either side as the front of the fabric -- both sides have their own unique markings.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND WASHING YOUR FABRIC. I use a combination of different dyes, and if you wash the linen, you may either cause bleeding or a loss of color and definition. Many of my fabrics have been dyed twice, and they've all been ironed three times to make them as wrinkle-free as possible. I do use a little steam when ironing.