Soaking a piece of fabric in hot water with a few drops of blue Dawn dish detergent - with no or little agitation of the fabric - will minimize the "used" look that sometimes happens when fabric is washed.
After at least an hour of soaking, wash gently by machine in cool to warm water. Then dry as usual.
I "assume" that the recipient "will not know the proper way to wash a quilt" - and try to minimize the chances of messing it up when it is washed.
Or know about color catchers, etc.