Washing a Quilt before gifting it.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,168
I always wash first for several reasons. Reason one, is that first wash is important to have enough room and sometimes I take fresh projects to the laundromat to use the big machines. Second is that if anything bad happens, it happens to me and I can either fix it or we know that there was a problem that in no way came from the recipient. Third is I have pets and defurring things is a requirement around here. Some of us live with those sticky tape rollers everywhere and still go about covered with hair and threads..
I've had exactly one quilt ruined in my career by running dye. It was quite the shock to open the washer and find the sophisticated maroon, blue and silver/grey with sparkles of white now had baby pink blocks instead... the fabric never stopped running and the quilt never cleared up but as my friend said -- I can drink grape juice in bed with this one. I had taken my standard pre-washing precautions and it turned out it was not enough.
I've had many projects where maybe I was unhappy about the quality of my quilting stitches that came out better after washing. Other than the one that ran, none were worse after washing and others helped. Sometimes maybe a problem shows up better after washing, but it was usually there before and just not caught yet.
When giving as gifts, I do give instructions that the project was machine sewn, machine quilted and designed to be machine washable.
I've had exactly one quilt ruined in my career by running dye. It was quite the shock to open the washer and find the sophisticated maroon, blue and silver/grey with sparkles of white now had baby pink blocks instead... the fabric never stopped running and the quilt never cleared up but as my friend said -- I can drink grape juice in bed with this one. I had taken my standard pre-washing precautions and it turned out it was not enough.
I've had many projects where maybe I was unhappy about the quality of my quilting stitches that came out better after washing. Other than the one that ran, none were worse after washing and others helped. Sometimes maybe a problem shows up better after washing, but it was usually there before and just not caught yet.
When giving as gifts, I do give instructions that the project was machine sewn, machine quilted and designed to be machine washable.
#15
I always wash my quilts before gifting now, especially since I started glue basting. This also gives me the opportunity to look for flaws in the quilt and be sure there is no bleeding. I would never want someone to receive as a gift a quilt that bleeds. Most importantly baby quilts need to be laundered first. I even wash my charity quilts. No surprises this way.
#16
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,331
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: northern minnesota
Posts: 2,480
Do you ever wash your quilt before gifting it? I am not talking about washing the fabric before you piece and quilt it. I am referring to washing it after you have completely finished it? I really messed up on some quilting and would like to conceal it best I can. The fabric used is mostly print, but also some solids. How do you feel about the appearance of a washed quilt vs a quilt that has not been washed yet.
#19
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,331
[QUOTE=quiltingshorttimer;8430566]I don't--I don't like the look of it. I do include washing instructions and Colorcatchers. I always check fabrics for possible running and deal with it before I even cut if it's a problem.[/QUOTE
but what happens after the recipient washes it and it looks different and they think they ruined it?
but what happens after the recipient washes it and it looks different and they think they ruined it?
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Southern Minnesota
Posts: 4,362
Ditto to what most of the others have said. Final step is to wash/dry the finished quilt. Any failed seam surprises can be caught and hopefully repaired. My habit of starching before piecing gets washed out, and any unexpected dye failures are found out. Softer, crinkly results are to be expected, and in my book, that is part of the inherent nature and charm of a homemade quilt.