Alice Woodhull

I guess I am different in that I like to work with new fabric and don't wash it before I use it. I don't wash it after I finish unless it is a charity quilt that requires it. I think they look old and used if they are washed. I don't drag mine across the floor if I can help it. No cats or dogs, either. When we had cats, they always liked to lay on whatever I was working on. When I would get a quilt in the frame to hand quilt, I always found a spot that sagged where they had been laying.

Latrinka

I wash mine in cold water on delicate. I don't use fabric softener, but I put bounce sheet in dryer, only dry it for about 10 minutes, then hang it to complete drying. Then I write to the receiver that it's just been washed, and these instructions.

helenquilt

Do not wash a quilt you are going to put in a show. I got big mark downs for having a "wrinkled" quilt in a recent show. Otherwise I always wash my quilt but do not use a dryer sheet because I don't want the scent in my quilt.

grann of 6

Yes, I always wash my quilts after I finish them. I don't want the recipient to have any surprises down the road. Most of my quilts are charity quilts, so they must be clean. Especially for QFK or other kid's charities, I use All Free & Clear detergent and then use a dryer sheet in the dryer, also All Free & Clear. When gifting quilts you should always be careful about scents because of the possibility of allergies with the person receiving them.

rj.neihart

I always wash my quilts after they are completed...then hang them on the clothes line to dry. I check often so they don't get over-dry and stiff. In the winter, I drape the quilt in another room and let the air-dry take charge.

Edie

After I have finished, I take my quilts to the local laundromat and wash them in a super-sized tub with liquid laundry soap, my color catcher and then I use a (one) fabric sheet and put them in the dryer (not hot) and then take them home and hang them up on the line and let the wind blow them the rest of the way dry. I take pictures and then fold them up and put them in either a sheet or in a pillow case! Works for me! Edie

chaskaquilter

I also wash mine. Usually I take it over to my daughters as she has the newer front loading washer and dryer. Washing also hides a lot of my FMG slip ups.

AZ Jane

Yep. wash ans semi-dry as with all clothes with the exception of I hang from out balcony to finish drying. I was as with any other clothing. If it doesn't hold up to a wash, I wouldn't give it to someone who will wash it.

cmilton

I always wash before I use/gift. i use color catchers, mild "green"detergent and vinegar. I don't use fabric softener at all because of the build up in your clothes over time.

Sierra

Whenever I read that pre-washing is "out" because it means ironing, or presewing the raw edge, I suspect the person is NOT using the "delicate" cycle (when my top loader machine went out I got a front loader and I got great rebates from the state! and it has a 12 minute rinse and spin cycle ... which must be for quilters!) and/or that they are overdrying. I prewash in very hot water in my laundry sink and treat with salt or vinegar in cold water if there is a lot of color bleeding. I dry (with an old dryer) but I put the cycle dial lower than the "finish" area and take it out before it can overdry and fold it right away. I NEVER have wrinkled fabric.

I always wash a finished quilt because it may have touched the floor and it simply has been worked on a lot. Never use anything but a no-allergy soap and NEVER use anything smelly like those little sheets that advertise how wonderful they smell. I can't stand them myself, and they actually make two sets of my grandchildren choke up... allergies! Again, I only use a delicate setting and normal warm water when washing and dry a touch lower than "finished". This fluffs up the quilt and they are never wrinkled. AND it always amazes me the number of threads I find that need clipping! I clip threads before the final wash, but always find more after...