Questing about pressing a quilt
 

I finally finished a quilt I'd been working on for some time. I washed it and love the way it puckered, I mean that in a nice way. Since I'll be giving it as a gift, would you press it before wrapping or just let it go as is ? Personally I like the look of a quilt after it's been washed but I'm afraid the person will think it's a used quilt.

Include a note that it is pre-washed :-)

Don't worry about trying to press it - I agree that a note saying that it has been pre washed so they can use it now with no worries of residual chemicals that come on new fabric. And that you also know that all the seams are good.

I would never press a quilt.

That never even occurred to me that someone would think a quilt gift was used. But now that you mention it, my quilts do look way more wrinkly than the cheap quilt my dd uses (until I have time to make her one). hmmm

I give them away crinkly! I tell them (or put in a note if I won't be giving it in person) that the quilt is machine-washable and has already been washed, so they should use it fearlessly & just toss it in the wash when it needs it.

People seem afraid to wash quilts until I point out it's already been done and the quilt is fine, some of them visibly relax once they realize they're being given something that's really easy to take care of. :)

I would add a note saying that it has never been "used" - but that it had been washed to freshen it up after all the handlng, it was washed to freshen it up.

I never wash a quilt before gifting it. I would explain the reason that you washed it in a note. I always include washing instruction because I feel you should NOT wash a quilt like you would a pair of denim blue jeans.

I always wash my quilts before I give them. In a note I indicate what detergent I used and fabric softener. Also at what temperature I washed and dried it. I often lay out my quilt on the floor since I don't have any other flat surface. Another reason for washing is I usually throw in color catchers to be safe. I also like to know what it is going to look like after they wash it. :o)

How do you wash them? In your washing machine??? Then put it in the dryer for a bit??

I wash my quilts before gifting and let them dry flat, once dry, I use a steam iron to gently glance over the top of the quilt, barely touch it so that it only really gets a light steaming. This takes out all the major 'washing wrinkles' but doesn't leave the quilt looking flat and compressed. I have also made up a washing/care label on my computer which I just print onto card and attach to the quilt. I like the results.

Unless it is a lap sized quilt, I take my quilts to a laundromat and wash in the jumbo washer with a color catcher. I then toss in a large dryer on gentle for a few minutes to get any bad wrinkles out. I then dry it at home flat on a sheet on the floor. I inspect it afterwards for any broken threads, problem areas and repair by hand if anything crops up.

I agree with Vistacruise. Let him/her know that it is new and that it is supposed to look like this.

I would think if you've pressed while piecing you wouldn't need to press after quilting and washing. I agree with others, include a note that it has been pre-washed.

I thought the same thing when gifting or donating a quilt as I always prewash and dry on delicate in the machine. I too include a note that it has been prewashed Along with washing instructions.

I don't prewash because some of the fabrics will fade even if just a bit & I don't want my quilt to look like it's been used already, I will put a note in them when I finally finish & send them out with all the instructions on how to wash & dry and how they will look after the receiver has added their part of the quilting process of the 1st of many washings. At least this is how I hope it all happens *wink*
Jeri

i also wash my quilts before giving them. I hand quilt and that quilt has been on my frame for 8-10 months - all those months of dust, dirt, cat hair floating around, not to mention,it's been handled by me for all those months. And it does allow me to see how it will be after washing. I give it the once over to make sure no seams have come apart(but any of those have usually been caught during the quilting process)

Washing a quilt before gifting
 

I have begun to put washing instructions on back of all my quilts just like a label. Since I own an embroidery machine, both "labels" are on the backing before it gets quilted. Judi

I always prewash my quilt fabrics and then wash the completed quilt. It takes time to complete a quilt and dust, pet hair, my hair, and my hands (which always seem to sweat 3/4 through a seam) will make the quilt dirty without trying. So I wash it before it goes anywhere. I wash in the machine with regular laundry detergent, on the gentle cold cycle. Then I throw it in the dryer on NO HEAT until just damp. I then finish drying it flat and smooth it out (squaring it a bit with my hands) and let it finish drying (up to two days). It is not overly puckered and a bit softer after this treatment. And I do include washing instructions when I gift a quilt.

I would give it and not say anything except, maybe, when you are oohing and aahing " Doesn't have a wonderful vintage look, I made it that way!"
peace

I don't prewash my quilts, but I do include very detailed washing instructions and 3 or 4 color catchers with each one. I prefer the "new" look when I gift them, but I roller the heck out of them to catch any stray threads, lint, etc. Daisy-cat is not allowed in the sewing room, but fur gets tracked in anyway. :-)