You know I don't know if I've ever seen a picture posted here of a finished quilt that has been washed before. Has anyone else?
As someone asked before, how is your mother in law going to use the quilt? Any way she uses it I'm sure she'll appreciate the fact that you took so much time and effort to make something *from your Heart*. Hopefully the MOM in her will come out when she opens the gift and she'll appreciate it like a mom appreciates anything a child gives her that's handmade. KWIM?
Lots of other Great Suggestions all worth trying to make you feel better in giving it.