If I'd been told as a new quilter that I would have to wash and press my fabrics before I could cut and sew, I would never have made my first quilt, much less continued for 10 years. Please do not put that burden on newbies. Give them the pros and cons and let them decide.
And now that I've started that debate, I'll quietly leave.
My hint is spend the money to buy good quality tools and supplies. Use the JoAnn's discount coupons to make your purchases, but don't scrimp on quality over quantity.