I bought myself a birthday gift of a small wool wall hanging in January an am ready to get started on it. I plan on hand applique. It is a Primitive Gatherings. The directions suggest a #24 chenille needle. Good suggestion? Also, when I wash it the first time, do I wash on gentle or more of just a soak and throw in dryer? This one makes me nervous. It's about 24" sq and I paid $75.00. Don't want to mess it up! Any other tips?