I always wash - to make sure everything is fine, no loose stitches, etc. also dry it - to make sure that the washing directions I give them are correct and won't destroy the quilt. Most of my friends are having grandchildren, so the quilts are going to get lots of use, I want to make sure they're going to stand up to it. Also I love the comfy look the quilts get when washed. And incidentally, I have two fur-bearing mousetraps who think it's their job to inspect whatever I'm working on, so there's cat hair and dander, too.