I always wash mine - they look soo much better after!! I never seem to machine quilt on the lines so on the lighter fabrics it can look very messy. But after a wash all the pencil lines, not too mention the starch and adhesive are gone and the wrinkly, crinkly look, which I love, makes all my wobbly stitching lines and the odd pucker unnoticeable.

I wash mine for 2 reasons: my cats who are magnets to quilts and I also love the look.

I wash all of mine after completion. I have 2 dogs that shed a lot, plus I want to make sure it does not fall apart. :)

I wash mine old cold/gentle then let it airdry hanging. Once it is totally dry I take it to the dry cleaners for pressing only once it is dry (hey they have the big presses!). I love the smooth look, but this last step helps in clipping straggly threads, and making sure the chalk markings are out.

I don't wash, but I do put it in the dryer with a dryer sheet to fluff it up and give it a clean smell. I also have two beagles and their dog fur comes off it in the dryer.

lots of great comments, thanks

I wash mine. One time I tought I had done enough quilting and after pulling it out of the drier, noticed a whole section I missed! Could have been a big oops.

I always wash mine so I can see the finished product. Like Julie said, I too usually find more clipping to do or something I forgot to quilt. My quilts have been all over the floor by the time I have finished them. When we had cats, I almost had to fight them to get the quilt out from under them. Now the New Dog waits for a corner to drop and he is on it.

Julie, I notice you are from NM. I am too. Waiting for rain this evening and hope I don't have to water tomorrow. Seems like the rain goes around us all the time. Rest of the state can be floating away and we are still trying to keep plants alive. Oh well, can't complain too much.

3flowers...where in NM? I'm in Rio Rancho...want to PM me?