I have washed mine in an old washer with agitator and been fine. now i have a GE top loader again but it hardly agitates at all. does a bit, stops, does a bit, stops. my clothes come out clean and my quilts do too. in good shape also. I think she was just plain rough on the quilts and if you make another one, make it a rag quilt or at least something sturdy, very sturdy.