softening linen??

I've made a lovely little linen shirt and my little model happily put it on and then declared - its too ichy!! i had prewashed it but not dried it (i cant even remember why! i usually dry stuff for kids clothes). all the tips im finding for softening linen are to wash on hot and dry. am i totally out of luck? if i wash it and put it in the dryer will it shrink up a ton now? the second little model is half an inch shorter and a couple pounds lighter so its possible if it shrinks just a bit that he would still fit in it. i dont think it would work wiht an undershirt. thanks!!