Thanks heaps for that, unfortunately i do have a front loader. bugga.

Was also wondering is it best to wash your quilts after finish making them. I am too frightened that it might fall apart. :?

I am hoping that i have done a good job, but there is always the thought that i haven't. I have completed a quilt as you go for a wedding present tossing up on whether to wash it b4 i give it away.

Marta,
Your quilt is gorgeous! I love the colors you used. Wash in cold water on the gentle cycle.

I always wash my quilts before I give them away. I have 4
dogs and gotta make sure that its furfree.
Your quilts won't fall apart if you've constructed them well&
used good quality fabrics. The recipient of your quilt will need to wash the quilt at some point.

color catchers work great

Yes, this was my first quilt I made. I've made 7 since.

Sorry.... what does LQS stand for?

If giving as gifts, better you to wash it first than to give it away and the recipient washes and there's a problem with bleeding, weak seams, stray threads, whatever. That could be potentially embarrassing to you and/or them.

Just my two cents.

First time in the wash I always use 2 Color Catchers in cold water.

Local quilt shop.

I couldn't do without my color catchers! I've never had any problems with them. I can pre-wash lots of different colors if I use the cc's. I did an "experiment" with reds, blues, yellows, and lots of different prints and colors just to see what would happen. Everything came out fine.

Good luck!

BTW, what a beautiful work of art.