OrangeVelvet

Oh my gosh! I need to mail my new throw quilt ASAP and have not washed it! Reading and looking at the internet says to wash it in a front load washer (don't have) without an agitator (which it has). And then to lay dry (too much time)? So now what? I never used sprays or chemicals and all the fabric is prewashed that I used. Can I just send it? Thanks for your advice in advance

GingerK

Yes, I would say that you can. You say all the fabric was prewashed so no bleeding surprises for the recipient. I usually include washing instructions and sometimes a couple of colour catchers. I have never laid a quilt flat to dry--no place big enough in my house. Drying it in a domestic dryer would probably include removing, shaking it out and reloading a few times during the cycle but it is very do-able.

Iceblossom

I am a believer in prewashing my fabrics and then prewashing the quilt before sending. Other people don't do either but my household generates a lot of pet fur and dust And, if something does go bad, I want it to be on my watch and if I can fix it or not.

So, if it really needs to go out right away, I'd include a note that you couldn't get it washed, plus general care instructions, and that if anything happens it wasn't something they did.

I've washed up to queen sized quilts in my home (extra large capacity) top load machine with an agitator. At some point in the last few years, I've gone to the laundromat for the larger tops -- for one because the dryer was so much faster. Warning, if you haven't been to the laundromat recently, a large capacity machine is not cheap!

In my new house I have an extra large impeller (no agitator) top loading machine and a nice dryer to go with it. I think it does a great job when I have to wash a lot of small bits of fabric or my regular clothing. When doing quilts, I make sure I make the water level deep, set an extra rinse, and typically 2 extra spins...

Onebyone

I wash my quilts in a top loader with agitator, delicate cycle, full fill, cool temp with a little detergent. I would suggest throw in a few Shout Color Catchers. Dry in dryer on regular setting. The quilt will be soft and crinkly. If you wash it, then the person won't think they ruined the quilt the first time they wash it because it looks different. Also check it over for loose seams. It happens to us all.

loisf

I prewash all my fabric and longarm my quilt. I do not ever wash the finished quilt before I send it on. When I glue basted and quilted on my Tiara, I had to wash them, but not any longer. Just send it. Happy holidays.

dunster

I don't agree with the instructions you found on the internet. Front load washers often don't provide the amount of water that I prefer when washing a quilt. I've always used a top load washer with an agitator, with the same settings as Onebyone.

cashs_mom

I do the same and don't have problems.

Drying it flat? Ridiculous. Who has the time or a place to lay it out flat for a few days for it to dry?

Stitchnripper

This is just what I do for the same reason.

quiltingcotton

I don't pre-wash my fabric. I don't wash quilts that I send through the mail to family as I've seen some of the boxes arrive in dirty horrible shape, and then they wash the quilt any ways. I I do wash the donation throws that I make so that the recipient can use it right away. I don't mail my donation quilts, instead I drop them off in person, so I know they are staying clean.

Mkotch

I only prewash batiks and fabrics that may run on the first wash (reds and hot pinks usually). I never wash a finished quilt before giving it away unless it has dust or some other schmutz on it (I don't have a pet). I have a front loading washer and only wash quilts that are throw sized or smaller in it. I feel it doesn't use enough water to do a bed-sized quilt without the chance of colors running. For those I use a commercial big washer at the laundromat.