I always wash and dry a finished quilt, some times I use a marking pen and would not want any marks showing when I gift it. I always try to remember to tell the person it is clean, they are use to washing boughten items from stores. I figure if I wash a quilt, it may look great at least until it is washed by someone else. Had a friend whom I gave about 6 quilts to tells me she likes to wash them a lot because they just get softer and softer. Also wears them out faster too. I about cried.