Nope not necessary. It is your decission.

I wash all quilts as a final step except for my wall hangings. I use unwashed Warm and Natural for batting and love the crinkled look I get when I wash and dry a finished quilt and the Warm and Natural shrinks. For wall hangings, I use thick, pre-washed flannel for batting.

No it is not. I never prewashed my fabrics and for competition, I never washed the quilt before a show. It is what YOU feel comfortable doing!

I'm sorry you felt scolded by someone about this (or any) issue. It's none of their business. Not sure why people have to express their opinions with condescension. Try to ignore it.

I wouldn't wash an art quilt because it changes the visible texture. When they look like paintings, I say leave them looking like they're on canvas. People are astonished that some art quilts are actually made from fabric. Keep that mystique!

I don't wash quilts before gifting. I do include washing instructions. I don't feel bad about it at all. I certainly wouldn't wash an art quilt or a wall hanging. I really only wash quilts if I am using them.

Don't worry about the quilt police. Obviously whichever one you spoke to feels very strongly about this. But it doesn't mean you need to please him/her. Just please yourself.

Dina

There's a difference between a bed / used quilt and an art quilt/ wall hanging. Art/ wall hanging I don't think ever need to be washed. Used quilts however do need to be laundered at some point. I always launder a quilt as soon as it's bound-- that way all ( construction grime, oils, etc.) are removed and if any seam comes undone or any other issue arises I catch it & can fix it before the quilt is gifted, sold, put to use.

I would never wash an art quilt or any quilt that is just going to hang on a wall. Give away throws or bed size quilts, are another story. I always wash those. I had one that wrinkled terribly. No idea what was different. My sister in law chose it. If she had chosen it and then washed it at home, she would have thought she had ruined it. There was such a difference. As it was, I told her I was trying out a new technique, and she loved it.

I prewash all fabric before it gets cut or anything because of bleed and I can't stand the smell. I have also seen customers in fabric stores handle them grossly. That being said, I asked my cousin who does a lot of art and show. She does not wash after assembling and finishing the quilts. She does look them over with a fine tooth comb. She uses a lint brush and microfiber rag to remove any light soil or dust.

No where is it written or cast in stone whether to wash or not.....personal choice.