I have several quilts with W&N and they are all hard. I now use Hobbs Polydown and have comfy quilts.

Warm and natural batting is stiff. If your quilting is close, that would make it stiff and heavy

Go for the Tide. If that quilt is loved by the baby the way you hope it will be, that quilt will see lots of Tide in it's lifetime. Might as well start now! :)

My quilts made with W & W batting get softer with each wash. I would use the Downy for sure since that will make it more cuddly. It is a beautiful quilt! You did a fabulous job and they will love it! I always make them promise they will let the baby use it and urp on it! Ha! Ha!

Would this explanation of "break down" also be true of Warm and Natural? I was advised by my first mentor in quilting, to use Warm and Natural, and to use Orvis Soap to wash all quilts. I get it in big one gallon tubs at the Farm and Feed stores. It is a paste-type soap,takes very little, (like a teaspoon) and it's main purpose I guess is making horses shine up real pretty after their bath.

I got some "Georgeously Green Bamboo"! 100% bamboo viscose batting......for next time! Winline
www.winlinetextiles.com orders over $50.00 are postage paid! I hope this addy come out right!
The baby quilt she had was marvelous! I will use the bamboo for baby quilts from now on!
I use warm and natural now!

Someone told me to use a mild detergent on all my fabric that I wash before I start any project, now, I'm washing my fabric in Ivory Snow. It makes it soft and easy to manage. Just my own personal choice.......

That is such a beautiful quilt. I'm glad you were able to wash out the stiffness.

Your quilt is beautiful!

I'm glad everything came out just fine. I really love your binding. This is the first time I've seen a patterned binding with a pattened piping. Very cute. I am going to have to remember that for my next quilt. Great job.