So many reasons to wash before gifting! Most quilt recipients have no clue what happens to a quilt in the wash, no idea that it might "crinkle" or look entirely different when they take it out of the washer. I don't want them to think the quilt is ruined, so I always wash first. Washing also gets rid of any dirt, oils from my hands, chemicals from unwashed fabrics, marks from quilting lines, etc. And lastly, the wash will also expose (hopefully) any areas desperately needing attention...like a pulled seam, loose quilting, or bleeding fabrics....then I can fix before gifting. And I always include a box of color catchers with instructions (just in case).