Do You Wash Quilts Before You Gift/Sell? Pros + Cons — Swim Bike Quilt (2024)

Do you wash quilts before you gift or sell them? I posted this picture on my Instagram feed last week, and there was a lively discussion about washing quilts, or not! My oh-so-scientific poll (via Instagram stories) with over 1,000 respondents said that 62% washed before sending to new.owners, 38% don't!Top Reasons To Wash:

• wash because quilters love the crinkle after a wash and dry

• wash so that new recipients don't think they ruined the quilt when they wash and dry [and the quilt crinkles]

• wash to get rid of any pet hair, dirt from being basted on a floor, oils from hands, etc.

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• wash to get rid of chemicals in the fabric

• wash to remove glue basting or spray basting residue

• wash to catch any mistakes--seams popping, binding that didn't quite get sewed down, etc.

• wash to catch any color bleeding, and deal with it, so the recipient doesn't have to

• wash to smooth out any quilting imperfections

• wash so that the quilt is ready to use, and then encourage that the recipient actually use it

Top Reasons Not To Wash:

• don't likethe crinkle after a wash and dry

• don't have enough time before the baby shower/deadline/etc./

• love the look of a crisp, unwashed quilt

• quilt is going for a deadline, publication, to be photographed, etc