When I get ready to make a quilt. I wash all the material (always using 2 or 3 color catchers) lights together and then the darks in warm water. Dry them on medium for 10 minutes and hang them up forcing any wrinkles out that might occur. When still a tad damp, I iron them using spray starch and hang them on a old fashion wooden rack or the clothes line. Fold them up when all are done and put them in a project box with the threads, any additional tools that I need and the pattern. Then, I am ready to work. I usually do this about a week before I am ready to start cutting. Hope this helps.