Will Emily Post or the quilt police come after me?

**Buckeye Rose** · 04-27-2015, 04:43 AM

So many reasons to wash before gifting! Most quilt recipients have no clue what happens to a quilt in the wash, no idea that it might "crinkle" or look entirely different when they take it out of the washer. I don't want them to think the quilt is ruined, so I always wash first. Washing also gets rid of any dirt, oils from my hands, chemicals from unwashed fabrics, marks from quilting lines, etc. And lastly, the wash will also expose (hopefully) any areas desperately needing attention...like a pulled seam, loose quilting, or bleeding fabrics....then I can fix before gifting. And I always include a box of color catchers with instructions (just in case).

**Sandra Sews** · 04-28-2015, 08:48 AM

I agree with you. I also like the softer feel of a washed quilt, and I like getting rid of the oil from my hands (as well as a few cat hairs the quilt might have picked up along the way).

**Barb_MO** · 04-29-2015, 04:15 AM

I do the same thing for the same reason even with the quilts I sell.

Originally Posted by Buckeye Rose

So many reasons to wash before gifting! Most quilt recipients have no clue what happens to a quilt in the wash, no idea that it might "crinkle" or look entirely different when they take it out of the washer. I don't want them to think the quilt is ruined, so I always wash first. Washing also gets rid of any dirt, oils from my hands, chemicals from unwashed fabrics, marks from quilting lines, etc. And lastly, the wash will also expose (hopefully) any areas desperately needing attention...like a pulled seam, loose quilting, or bleeding fabrics....then I can fix before gifting. And I always include a box of color catchers with instructions (just in case).

**ManiacQuilter2** · 04-27-2015, 04:48 AM

I would NOT pre-wash a quilt because it will look like it had been USED! Yes, enclose washing instructions with a package of color catchers.

**Onebyone** · 04-27-2015, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by ManiacQuilter2

I would NOT pre-wash a quilt because it will look like it had been USED! Yes, enclose washing instructions with a package of color catchers.

The gift quilts I wash don't look used at all. I always pre shrink my batting and fabric for gift quilts. A little pressing and the quilt looks like it was just made. I pre shrink batting by spraying water to get it damp then but in dryer on high heat. This is what I do for quilts I enter in quilt shows.

**madamekelly** · 04-28-2015, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by ManiacQuilter2

I would NOT pre-wash a quilt because it will look like it had been USED! Yes, enclose washing instructions with a package of color catchers.

The other side of this is I gifted a pretty baby quilt to a young mom without washing it first, who called me a few days later in tears, because she had washed the quilt and it was now "ruined" because it was now " all wrinkly". I assured her that that is supposed to happen, and that 'wrinkly' is cuddly. I now wash them all.

**toverly** · 04-27-2015, 05:01 AM

I always wash before gifting! I had one quilt really pucker up when I washed it, if I had given it unwashed, they would have thought they ruined it. As it was, I told them I was trying a new technique and asked if they liked the pucker look. She loved it!

**luvspaper** · 04-27-2015, 05:06 AM

I wash all mine before gifting because color/dye is not the only issue that can come up. I like to make sure no seams come open and that the backing doesn't pull from the binding. (I've had both happen -- it was back when I first started making quilts but I always check now!)

And I can't say any recipient has ever thought that it has been used. I usually put in a note that says it has been washed and then instructions on how they can wash it again. Sometimes they are afraid to wash it the first time.

The only one I haven't washed had the train of a wedding dress appliqued down the middle, other appliques made out of the rest of the dress and wool batting. That one was truly an art piece, not really to be used or ever even washed so I never washed it. But that was a rare case for me!

**Boston1954** · 04-27-2015, 05:49 AM

I think that is a lovely and thoughtful idea. Go ahead and wash it one before you give it, and then put a note in with it to say that you want to make sure that it will not bleed.

**Snooze2978** · 04-27-2015, 08:21 AM

I tend to wash my quilts before I give them out to whomever but if I don't I would want to give one or more color catchers with instructions how to use them to the recipent. Hate to have them wash it and think they destroyed it due to color run.

Thread: Will Emily Post or the quilt police come after me?

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display

Hybrid View

Posting Permissions