I only wash first if I think the fabric might bleed (reds, blues, brights, etc.) and the end product will be used a lot.
I, too, hate to iron fabric after it's been in the dryer. I like to use Mary Ellen's Best Press, which is a light starch. That stuff will take out all the wrinkles and fold lines, etc. I'm already on my second bottle of this stuff... :-) :-)