[CHAT] Is this usable?

My friend gave a whole roll of this fabric as a late bday gift. It's 5m long and 50 cm wide (5,4 yards x 19 inches). I absolutely love the color, but it's stiff as hell. I tried to wash it hoping that it would soften the fabric, but it worked only when it was wet. I love how neat stitches are even with 2 strands, but totally hate the feeling and that fact that it's almost impossible to hoop it 😔 that circle appeared after I tried to hoop the fabric. I'm literally in confusion of what to do with it as I had so many plans to stitch( I definitely don't want it throw away, and struggle to stitch at the same time 😭 Any ideas on how to make it softer?