First, I wash and dry my flannel. Then I just spray,spray,spray the whole piece (or what I am using of it) with a solution of Sta-flo liquid starch and water (1:1). Some quilters submerge the fabric in the starch/water solution. Spraying works well enough for me. I then tumble the starched piece in the dryer till it is just damp, then I press, trying not to stretch the piece out.