It's the final step for me. I always wash the quilt before I send it on.

I always wash my quilts before gifting so I can catch any "mistakes" I might see. I've also ironed them after washing so they look new. It all depends on the final look coming out of the dryer.

Yes, I always wash a quilt when I'm finished with it. It needs it with all the dragging around while working on it, starch, glue, etc. I use the color catchers also. Then I put in dryer for only about ten minutes, inspect it closely to make sure all seams held good, then I hang it to complete drying.

Always. I then make sure all seams are intact and get rid of any threads that show up.

Me too, especially with checking the seams. I always ask the receivers if they are holding up, and they say yes.
I have had to fix a seam or two in the past after washing, so this is a double check for me.

So glad to see most of your respondents have acknowledged that they wash their quilts before gifting. It's just the final step (unless I have to fix something, and I always have some threads that need to be removed...that's just me not being careful enough during the process to remove all loose threads).

I do. But because I have the sweetest little JRT that does not come into my sewing room yet still seems to get hair over everything!

Until this year I always washed them. Now that we're dealing with the California drought, I only pre-wash the fabrics with my other laundry loads. Gift quilts include instructions on how to wash them, including a request to return them to me if there's a problem. Otherwise I'd have to give up yet another shower!

Same here!

So sorry to hear how it is affecting your lifestyle. Giving up a shower would be a big one for me.....I'm a daily shower person.