I do so much applique so I do not wash and iron mine first. The only time I wash and iron my fabrics is if they are of a dark color that I think might run. Most of my quilts, both large and small, are for hanging on the wall and will more than likely never get washed anyway. I need the stiffness of the new fabric and I don't like to starch all over the fabric for hanging quilts, it attracts silverfish in our area and they like to munch.