Finished the quilt and it's a gift so what do I do next? I've read on here where folks iron. Do I iron or wash? Or both? I would prefer to know any issues that might arise after the washing process. What do you do?

Oh, BTW I had no idea that quilting would be such an expensive pasttime/hobby. Thanks
Sandy

Iron? !nope..

just wash with a little detergent with tepid water, on a gentle cycle.
line dry or in the dryer on a low setting. that is what i do.
issues? lol! i have had my binding show where i didn't quite catch it right..and had some fraying.nothing i could not fix!

yes it is expensive..but there are places you can get fabric pretty cheap.
connecting threads is one that comes to mind.
shop with a coupon at Joanns,Hancocks or Hobby Lobby!
join a freecycle group in your city or check out craigs list for free or cheap material..garage sales are good,as are estate sales! good luck!

check these links out:
http://www.google.com/search?q=the+f...=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8

old clothes work too!

I never let a quilt leave my house that hasn't been freshly laundered.

if it's for a child, i chuck that sucker into warm water through a heavy duty cycle, and then into the dryer. i want to know it will hold up to frequent washing.

for an adult/fancy quilt i will use either cold or warm - depends entirely on my mood - regular cycle. whether or not i toss it into the dryer depends a lot on how badly i need it to fluff up and hide the garfarbles. :lol:

i let the quilt decide whether or not it needs a press. some demand it, some look best all relaxed and comfy.

I always wash a finished quilt. Never iron it. Would flatten the quilting.

I also always wash a finished (It's been quilted or tied, and the edges are bound - and it has a label) quilt when it's done.

I never press/iron it again after it's finished. (Although I am compulsive about pressing while it's being assembled)

Expensive? I didn't know you were supposed to keep count.

Oh no, never keep count, that way spouse cannot claim "half" in the divorce.

Anecdote in one of my quilting classes, discussion was on Hiding The Stash.
A DH looked into wife's sewing room, and said "Gosh, Honey, You must have at least a hundred dollars worth of cloth in here."
She replied innocently, "Um-hm, it's about that much," while shoving tubs of FQs out of sight with her foot.

If you iron a quilt after you've quilted it, I'd think it would take the "roundness" out of your quilting, and make flat wrinkles in the surface. I dunno, I never thought about ironing a done quilt. But definitely wash it. Cold water, short wash, warm (not hot) dryer, or just lay it flat or drape it over something to get it dry.

I DO,gently press my quilts with sream.I like the way they look so much better and it sets the binding really nicely. Again,just gently,not a firm ironing.

uggh...hmmmm....I have never kept a quilt long enough to even wash, let along iron it....and yes, I do iron/press to the hilt while sewing/assembling a quilt top.

I always wash a finished quilt. Dry it in the dryer or lay it out in the Sun. I've never ironed a finished quilt. Have to ponder that one.

that is funny, I am laughing, I can just see that!

THANK YOU.....HEEE HEEE HAAA HEAA