To Wash, or Not to Wash?
 

Do you wash all your quilts after quilting, before giving it as gift or before entering in contest or fair exhibits? I know the longarm quilted ones are Ok, but what about the ones not done on a longarm but on your home machine? I've heard pros and cons on this also. Is this something judges look for in competitions? Oh, I'm so new at this and so many questions?????????????

Can't answer your questions as to competitions but as to gifting...yes, I always wash my quilts before gifting. I hand quilt so there are marks, oils/dirt from my hands, dog hair, etc. I'd like them to be clean when giving them.

I will answer from the judges point. One item on all judging sheets is "Appearance" which means is it clean and without major wrinkles etc. So the answer is probably yes if the quilt was soiled in the quilting process.
Should be free of pet hair and free of odor. Some quilts come to competition smelling so bad it is difficult to stay in the room. One show I judged this past year had one quilt that had been put in a plastic bag until ready for judging.

yes i wash my quilts in tide free, before giving
them away.