Do You Wash Quilts Before You Gift/Sell? Pros + Cons
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.
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
I am usually in the "barely got the quilt done in time and didn't have time to wash" camp, but after having a few bleeding episodes, and the idea shared by many that they don't want the recipient to think they "ruined" the quilt when it crinkles after a good wash and dry.What do you think? Will you change if you wash and dry? The pattern for the quilt pictured above is available here! It works perfect for that fat quarter bundle that you have in your stash (or really want to buy), but don't want to cut into a million tiny pieces.The Pattern has instructions for 2 sizes: 79'' x 84'' and 42'' x 44''.p.s. Likely you have heard about GDPR, the new EU privacy laws. My privacy policy is available, here.SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave