I wash also , so I know it holds together well and the color is all good to go. :D

If it's a quilt to be used rather than a wall hanging, I always prewash. If there are going to be issues, I'd rather I had them to deal with than the recipient! And I always give care instructions with the quilt as well.

If it's a quilt I'm not really going to use but have to display, I won't wash it but otherwise, I wash them. If you are giving them as a charity donation, they often require you to wash before donating.

You prewash if you have a German Shepherd who LOVES to get on top of the quilt top when you are in the process of measuring to determine backing needed, etc.! :)

I always wash. That way not only is it clean but I can see if I missed any quilting and missed treads stand up a little better. Yesterday I was ready to bring the quilt to a friend and noticed I missed quiling two blocks. Would have been so embarrassd if I had brought it over to her only to have to take it home and finish it.

As a handquilter I usually have to at least spot clean any quilt I do to remove any markings I may have used for the quilting pattern. For my Linus Quilts I always prewash and iron the fabric before machine quilting. It is not a bad idea to wash a quilt when you are finished creating. It proves if the stitches will hold up and the fabrics are colorfast. You can iron or press your quilt after washing to get back that crisp look.

I don't always wash but thanks to a kind soul on this board I now put Care instructions on the back of each quilt. I have washed several of my own quilts (that I knew had never been washed)and used Shout Color Grabber. Boy, am I sold on that, it really works well.

Even though I don't have any pets, I always wash my quilts before giving them away. I always pre-wash my material but I want to make sure that they won't bleed, or that the stitching will hold up. For me, washing a baby quilt is a must.

To wash or not to wash is your question but my suggestion is to not store any quilt in a plastic bag especially right out of the dryer. Even though it feels dry some moisture may remain and putting in a plastic bag could cause mildew to ruin it. I would let it lay for a day or two then store in a pillowcase or cloth bag.

I always wash...I have too many quilt helpers in the house and I'd be embarrassed by all the hairs I would be giving away :oops: