I trim all of the cut edges using a rotary cutter with a pinking blade before I wash. If I'm washing more than 1 1/2 yards, I also sew the two ends together with a zig-zag stitch and then cut it off before I iron. I use the express cycle on my washer, and if I'm only washing a few fat qtrs, I wash them in the sink. I dry them in the dryer with a couple of clean OLD towels, which helps dry the fabric very quickly (less tumbling).