My mom would throw a used dryer sheet in with stored out of season clothing. It didn't seem to matter how many times that sheet was used, over time the smell was overwhelming and did not wash out easily. Dryer sheets don't even live in my house anymore and I would never use them in a quilt.
If I am aiming for a specific shape, I use old tissue patterns. They tear off easily and what doesn't come off will dissolve in water. If the shape will be determined after the fact, I just sew the strips together--making sure to alternate the stitching direction of course.