Before I enter a quilt in a show, I press it well. I press the back first and then turn it over and press the front. Maybe if you try pressing it, it will help. I think it has that warm, cozy look when they are "scrunched" up after washing. Either way, its a beautiful quilt and I'm sure your MIL will love it.

We were posting at the same time again. Yeah, distortion and wavy isn't good. Go ahead and try stretching it but you might want to come up with an alternative while you're at it.

If she's not crafty, she might not know the difference. That's not always good enough for us though.

The washed quilt does not look that bad and I hope that ironing and stretching helps you feel better. I always wash my quilts because I love the puckered look. Would it help to square it off again and cut it a little smaller then rebind with new binding that has been washed. A sofa or lap quilt is always nice to have. If you think you will worry about it too much, the idea of the IOU was a nice thought or make another quilt that is a easy pattern to put together. Good Luck! :thumbup:

I agree. It sure looks ok in the pictures. Try pressing real good. I think it is beautiful.. Cheer up, it could be worse.

My MIL has been gone for many years now. I adored her and I think she loved me more than her own kids. If I had quilted then and made something for her, she would have treasured it. I don't know what your MIL is like, but if she were like mine it would have hurt her immensely to know that I felt something I made was not good enough. I have a queen size crocheted bedspread from her. It is very heavy and mostly WHITE so I don't use it very much, but it is so very important to me because she spent many hours rocking and crocheting it for me.

Just something to think about...

If you are unhappy, that's all that matters. It looks fine, and quilts are notoriously "puckery." They're actually prettier when they DO pucker. If you want her to use it and snuggle in it, I would definitely give it to her. Could you explain to her what happened and how you feel? She'd probably tell you what everyone else is saying ... its not that big of a deal.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I don't think it's that bad either and I, too, would suggest ironing. Give it to her. It's a really pretty quilt and she'll love it.

The after looks fine; it has the old look which is what many seek after quilting their modern quilt. I would just iron it.

Wash it again and gently shape and hang it over a railing to dry. Maybe touch up with a not too hot iron. It looks lovely. Maybe it feels extra snugly since it is very fluffy? Hugs!

You know I don't know if I've ever seen a picture posted here of a finished quilt that has been washed before. Has anyone else?

As someone asked before, how is your mother in law going to use the quilt? Any way she uses it I'm sure she'll appreciate the fact that you took so much time and effort to make something *from your Heart*. Hopefully the MOM in her will come out when she opens the gift and she'll appreciate it like a mom appreciates anything a child gives her that's handmade. KWIM?

Lots of other Great Suggestions all worth trying to make you feel better in giving it.