terlyn

I'm a new quilter and have made quilt tops but just finishing one completely to give away.
Should I wash the quilt when done before giving away?
I don't want it to look bad after washing so I hesitate to wash it. Will it change the looks a lot?
Does anyone have pics of one before washing and after?
Also how should I wash it and what detergent?
Thanks so much
Terry

jbud2

this is how I handle it - everyone will have their own way and opinion! I hated to wash my first gift quilt, because it looked so good! But the thought of what might happen when the giftee washed the quilt made me do it. My main concern was what if a seam opened or I missed ending a row of stitching the right way. So after washing and drying in the dryer, I saw no issues. One quilt seemed a little bit more wrinkly so I ironed it a little. No problem, good as new!

Misty's Mom

I always wash mine so I'll know how they'll look after washing. Also, to make sure there's no color bleeding (I use color catchers) and to make sure there are no oopsies that might show up after washing.

Tartan

Wash it with color catchers. If everything looks good, put it in the dryer until just damp. Lay a clean white sheet on the carpet and lay the damp quilt on top. Use rust proof pins and block the quilt out until dry. I have done this with quilst and had it look almost as wrinkle free as before washing.

carslo

I go to the laundry mat and wash all my quilts once completed. I used Color Catchers and a mild soap. I then use the dryers there also. This is for all the above reasons - seams coming undone, setting the colors and a I prefer to have it ready to go when I give it away. I love the crinkled look also

Buckeye Rose

I always wash after completion. There can be any number of things that need attention that you simply won't see until it is washed. I also want to eliminate any dirt, markings, oils from my hands and cat hair ( they are quite persistent in trying to gain entrance to my sewing room). Your quilt will look different after washing, but not necessarily in a bad way. How much different depends on a few defferent things.....the type of batting used (poly does not shrink), were the fabrics prewashed (prewashing helps eliminate fabric bleeds as well as shrinkage), cotton thread versus poly, etc. You also don't want the recipient to feel like they have ruined a quilt when it comes out of the dryer all crinkled (is what happens when you use cotton batting...very desirable to lots of us quilters).

DOTTYMO

I wash before gifting. It closes all those little pin holes and allows you to gift a beautiful quilt.
The only quilt I did not quilt was for a baby and I was not sure about what powder etc to use. So I gave it to dad with very specific washing instructions . Mum was amazed how it puffed up which he did not tell her. Glad I did this because I reAlsd when I saw the baby she had a skin condition.

Skratchie

I always wash mine as soon as they are finished. But I will say that if you have a new washing machine that is HE and self-filling, make sure you use a setting that will allow more water in the tub. I always use the bulky/bedding setting because it adds considerably more water to the tub. My mom didn't do that with the quilt she made me, and I'm pretty sure that's why red dye deposited on some spots and stained the quilt. :-(

TeresaA

I would wash it in case any of the fabrics bleed. Wash on delicate and use dish soap like Palmolive Original or Dawn Original that don't have any gimmicky chemical additives that could harm a quilt. Use color catchers as well.

Inspect the quilt carefully after washing. If nothing bled and there are no other problems, then machine dry on the lowest setting and pull it out when damp.

DJ

Good tip! Thanks!