Originally Posted by
quiltlady1941
Thanks everyone,
I am going to wash and dry it..if you dry the quilt on the line will it still shrink some to get that crinkly look? I don't have a dryer right now.. Thanks again
I believe it is the drying that causes most of the shrinkage. If you haven't sandwiched it yet, you might try just soaking in the tub and air drying the batting by itself. (for someone who doesn't want the crinkly look, but still wants to wash the quilt before gifting, I have seen it suggested to wash (gently) the batting by itself and dry in the dryer for a little while. I would be very gentle doing it this way, but some folks do it successfully. That way the batting will be preshrunk when you use it, and the quilt will shrink less when all put together and laundered.
Also, I have found that if you iron the quilt after laundering, it helps it get back that crisp new look. Not completely, but maybe enough for your preferences.