Or just hang it up for a day on the clothes line and let the weight of it pull it out. then iron if you must. It is not that bad. Just not fresh from the sewing machine. She will think that is how it is supposed to be. And you can rejoice that it wont shrink when she washes it.

It is too beautiful a quilt to "chuck" it - rewash in cold water and spin dry it - hang it out on the line - stretching it as you go - I'll bet you find it stretches to the shape you had - the quilting that has been done, should have held it pretty well, and besides, you can iron it out using some sizing, and I'll bet it will turn out beautiful... and you needn't say anything to your m-i-l! She did not know what size it was intended to be, like one other lady here said, so just go with what you have - and it'll turn out beautiful... I had a throw that did that - and I just stretched it, and ironed it after dry and using the sizing gives it the "new" look and it was fine..

Always remember to use cold or cool water when washing quilts regardless... it helps with not shrinking as well as colors fading.. and I use vinegar in the water when I do pre-wash IF I prewash. Helps hold the color.

good luck deema - you'll be fine! iron front and back - a lot of work, but it will look fine.

I am sorry that happened after all that work. I would iron it and see how that works.

I am soooo sorry. Did you try pressing? Perhaps give it to her with an explanation and after the holiday get it back and try to fix or salvage or make a new one. At least she will have something to open. Add a few small items.

Good luck.

Dorrie

I don't think the quilt looks bad at all. Kind of has the look of an older "antiquey" quilt - one that has cotton batting in it. I've seen them where they look kind of puckered. I had a smaller one do this way. Ironing helped some. Some friends saw it and thought it was pretty. They never knew what happened. I would think it is the batting that shrunk and like someone else said, take out the quilting and requilt - maybe at a later date. It's a lovely quilt.

I would give it too her, It is a comfey looking quilt to me ,some of my faves are the wrinkled up scrap quilts!

I love it and would be happy to have it, i like the crinkled up look the best!

I like how it looks. I would leave it.

If you still want to help it look better wash it in cold water and rinse on cold. Then spread the quilt on a flat surface and pin it down stretching it a little at a time to shape it up better and let dry. Many people who wash their quilts for quilt shows do this. I have had good luck although it is time consuming. I always find it worth the effort. But it does look good.

I've had some success relaxing shrunken sweaters by soaking them in a tiny bit of conditioner--always thought it would work well with a quilt since it would make the fibers relax.

Think your quilt is lovely and wouldn't change a thing. Maybe you should just pretend that it looks exactly the way you intended and your MIL will be thrilled. It's all in the marketing!

Take care!
Carole
Marlton, NJ