I would never wash an art quilt or any quilt that is just going to hang on a wall. Give away throws or bed size quilts, are another story. I always wash those. I had one that wrinkled terribly. No idea what was different. My sister in law chose it. If she had chosen it and then washed it at home, she would have thought she had ruined it. There was such a difference. As it was, I told her I was trying out a new technique, and she loved it.