So far, I've only made 3 bed quilts and I didn't even think to wash before giving them to my daughters. Luckily, in all their years of washing them, the only thing that happened was that my handsewing of labels wore out. Since Klue gave the tip to machine sew my labels onto the sleeve when I make it, that won't happen again. Mostly what I've made are wallhangings, pillows, and small framed landscapes and those I still don't plan to wash. But, from now on, I will wash the comfy blanket quilts. After the baby wallhanging and my daughter's 30th BD wallhanging are done, I will resume the lapquilt for me and the lapquilt I started for my mom. Those, I will wash. Thanks for bringing this up, I simply never thought to wash a gift.