Lori S

I would wash using Synthropol , to keep any colors that run/bleed from setting . It suspends any unset dye so it does not set on the fabrics in the quilt.

sahm4605

honestly unless it is a fragile quilt or it was an art quilt wash and dry like most cloths or blankets. and use color catchers. I have a crib quilt a wall hanging a pillow sham two pillow cases and a small decorative quilted pillow that I finished up last night in the wash this morning. Getting ready to check them for bleeding and such to see if they need another round in the dryer. don't think they will but you never know. I always wash before gifting anything because it is usually going to a baby and i use starch like its going out of style. (my fabric can stand up on its own if it wanted to)

quiltstringz

I don't prewash my fabrics (unless I am doing a red & white or blue & white), normally use an 80 - 20 batting. I wash all of my quilts (cold or warm water) use a color catcher and then put in the dryer like everything else. I have quilts on my beds and we have a large dog so they get washed a lot and I have never had an issue. That being said I would as others suggest look at the color catcher and go from there

MoanaWahine

The kind of quilts that I have made so far are meant to be used an loved. With that said, they get washed and dried just like other clothing and blankets in my house of 2 sons, DH and myself . Never have had a problem with bleading of color and I very seldom prewash fabrics. As for the shrinkage, which in my case is very little, I kind of like the "cricked" looks that comes after the first wash, and it seems to soften the quilt that much more to make it that much more cuddly. And yes, I use cotton for the batting.

Since this is your Daughters quilt, I am sure it was made with lots of love and meant to be used, wash like you have any other blankets and cloths. If you are concerned about bleeding, use the color catchers, I have never tried them but from the input from this board, they seem to work great!!

sewmom

I always prewash( except for my quilt made with a 30's jelly roll and a BOM, which i havent finished) so i have no surprises! I wash in warm or cold and throw them in the dryer. The quilts have to rearranged a few times in the dryer, but they dry eventually. I use color catchers when washing the fabrics, especially if they are dark. Good luck!

T-Anne

Do you have one of those steam dryers? I bought mine two years ago because the sales lady said I would love it. I thought "yeah sure, right", but she was right, I use it all the time.

When I think about "water and electricity" being together in a dryer I still shudder. :-)

mcdaniel023

I would wash it in cold water, two or three color catchers and lots of water. Then throw it in the dryer. It may krinkle a little. But, I bet your dd will love it even more. It is going to be soft and cuddly.
This is what I do as soon as I finish a quilt.

burchquilts

Me, too. I personally really like the way quilts look after they've been washed. I just throw mine in the washer (or take them to the laundromat if they're too big for my machine to handle easily) & then either dry them in the dryer part way thru or hang them across all 4 of my clotheslines. I've never had a problem (knock on wood).

bearisgray

It's also important to not let a damp quilt set - that's also when color can transfer from one area to another.

If this is an antique or fragile quilt, more care is required when handling it.

AZ Jane

What everyone else said. But when I take it out of the dryer, I hang it over the banister at least overnight to throughly dry before folding. In AZ, overnight is plenty.