I always wash it too. If anything is going to go amiss, I want to be the one who discovers it. And I want my recipient to receive it in the state it's going to be after washing, rather than thinking that they ruined it in the wash. Another factor-- I have pets who shed and may occasionally sit on quilts in progress -- don't want any pet dander to cause the recipient difficulty.
I usually prefer the softer and slightly crinkled look anyhow.