cctx.

Yes (if it's going to be used for warmth or cuddling, yes).
If it's a wall hanging or deco quilt, it depends.

gramajo

I agree

catrancher

I just started to. I like how they "puff up" when they're washed.

grammysharon

I wash my quilts when they are finished. I also prewash my fabrics. Just the way I'm built. :lol: :lol: :lol:

GreatStarter

This is something I struggle about. Thirty years ago when I was first hired to work at a fabric store the manager held out her hands and warned me. Back then there was formeldahyde in fabrics. Her hands were covered with tiny scares due to an allergy to the formeldahyde. So I always prewashed fabrics. When I started quilting again in last few years I took classes and most of my teachers said "Don't prewash fabrics". One claimed they put a sunblock on them so they dont fade. Great, but again that is some sort of chemical, plus what else do they treat new fabric with??? So I have just started prewashing my fabrics again. Plus I wash all new quilts except for wallhangings. Those I figure aren't being wrapped around people so no need to wash after finished. So I guess my answer is yes. And I always use dye free, scent free products. I am extremely allergic to dyes and scents and have a hard time even attending quilt classes, etc due to the loads of perfumes people wear, scents from their laundry detergents, etc. Plus the scented spray starch used in one class made me ill for days, I had to leave that class early. I didn't tell people why, but if I get so ill from scents, other people are getting ill too. Scents often trigger very bad migranes for me too. Before you add a great scent to a quilted gift think of all the people who might be at the occasion where your gift might be openned.
So yes I wash them when done and think I will start washing wallhangings when done too.
Sorry if I offended anyone.
Kat

Debd

I wash all my quilts, and will hang them on the line if it is a nice day or toss them in the dryer. I've always felt that quilts need to be functional, which means they will have to be cleaned! Real life happens!

I also feel that it isn't a quilt until it has been washed, I love the texture that they come out of the wash with, emphasizing the quilting.

TexasGurl

Some I do, if it's a gift or I want the more shrinky antique look ... others I don't, including wall quilts, I just fluff them in the dryer a few min :)

Edie

Some fabric that I use in a quilt I prewash, some I don't (for small pieces like 1/2st's). When I am all done - binding - all done - I take it to the laundromat and put it in one of those big washers on gentle cycle and sit there and watch it closely. I don't want anyone stealing it!!!!!! Then I put it in a dryer on warm and get it just about dry, take it home and hang it on the line until it is all nice and warm from the sun and smells like Spring.

Then I give it away! Edie

Wunder-Mar

Same here

biscuitqueen

I smoke so everything gets washed b4 it leaves the house. I use fabric softener on a gentle cycle. Sometimes w/ vinager, then I store in bins.