Hi Juztme. Last fall I made a flannel quilt for DH, and like many others, I washed the flannel several times and starched it to death before I started. I really does help to stabilize it and makes it easier to cut, piece and quilt. The cats love it as much as he does, so it has seen the inside of the washing machine many times without problems.
You've gotten good advice here, so just start sewing! And don't forget to show us your finished quilt!