Okay, I see the advice is unanimous; I won't wash it first. I'll give it to her 98 % finished, letting her see my marker and chalk marks as part of the process. Then I'll bind it over the next week or so, and mail the finished product as a Christmas present. She lives alone and thus doesn't get too many prezzies under her tree, so the final quilt in a big pretty package will be a double sweet thing, right?
That's my consolation for not having been able to finish it by today--her big 5-Oh.
I could have finished it had I started sooner, or had I forfeited spending time with her while she's been in town. Just had no idea that the new method of sandwiching I tried in the name of "easier" would actually be a pain in the tush and created extra aggravation and time.
Anyway, I'll see if I can take some photos before I wrap it. If not, you all will see the Big Reveal photos in a couple weeks after the binding is on.