Some revisionist ideas

A woman after my own heart!

Michelle in Nevada

Good grief, John! This is hardly a topic that would cause bricks to fly! Some like prints, some don't; some like solid, some don't. No big deal. You want to see excitement, just talk about pre-wash vs not pre-wash!! LOL PAT in VA/USA

And then there's post-wash. I do dearly love to wash a finished quilt, let it flap in the sunshine for a while and have a final toss in the dryer for softness. Ahhhh. Not recommended if you have an addiction to napping. They surely are tempting. Polly

"Pat in Virginia" Good grief, John! This is hardly a topic that would cause bricks to fly!

I did a post construction wash on a baby quilt that I made a few weeks ago, and must say, I liked the "Old, Wrinkled, Effect" that it imparted. I normally like them unwashed, but this came out fine and as it was a log cabin design, it was rather traditional and old timey in appearance. The question is probably; what are you doing with the quilt?, not if you should or shouldn't wash after construction.

John

Regardless of what I am going to do with the quilt, I MUST wash each one as sit is finished. I have a LOT of QI help when I am at the sewing machine, regardless of what I am working on. Since Cassie (Baby Cat) is Queen QI and a Himalayan with *very* long hair, it's just about mandatory that I wash stuff once I am finished with it :-). CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

I also must wash each quilt after finishing. Even if it doesn't have dog hair from Bisou on it, I think it has to be at least a bit dirty. After all, it's probably hit the floor a few times, not to mention oil from the sewing machine and my hands. I also love to use Sharon Schamber's glue method for the binding -- that glue has to come out.

I was just reading an article on appliqué in an old QNM. It suggested using water soluble backing for appliqué. No trimming away of an extra layer of cloth should be the benefit. I'm going to try it - and for sure, that would need to be laundered away too. Polly

"Sandy" > I also must wash each quilt after finishing. Even if it doesn't have dog

I almost always wash my quilts when I'm done with them (as well as pre-washing all the fabric :). At a minimum, it washes out all the natural oils and anything else that was on my hands while I worked on the quilts or anything that got on them when they accidentally hit the floor. I often use basting spray or Elmer's school glue or some marking substance that I want to wash out. I like the "crinkly" effect, and if I am giving the quilt as a gift, I like to wash before giving so that the recipient doesn't think they spoiled it when they wash it and it gets that "crinkled" look.

Julia > I did a post construction wash on a baby quilt that I made a few weeks

I've been wearing that crinkly-look on my face and hands for decades. No problem. I still win the beauty contest down at the Bait and Taxidermy Shop the 3rd Thursday of every month. Polly

"Julia in MN" I almost always wash my quilts when I'm done with them (as well as

Oh, I so enjoyed that laugh, dear Polly >gggI've been wearing that crinkly-look on my face and hands for decades. No

She never disappoints, does she? I'm still chuckling too!

Absolutely!

The Quilts of Valor people advise all quilts be washed prior to donation. That way they are all fresh and ready for the troops to enjoy. I've always washed the quilts after construction for the reasons Roberta stated. I want to be the one who finds any issues. Hey, there is a squirrel family building a condo in my neighbor's tree. Looks like mama and papa are stocking the pantry too! I've got a bird's eye view and it is fun to watch. PAT in VA/USA

Polly: Back in the early days of my quilting, I read of a 'tradition' that the quiltmaker gets the first sleep under a newly finished quilt. So sometimes I rest the new quilt, even a wee quilt, over my blanket or quilt and enjoy a nap, even a brief rest. Works for me! Pat

If a gift quilt is finished early I hang it on the large quilt display rack in the living room and enjoy it until it absolutely has to be wrapped. Once when giving a bridal shower I just left the quilt on the wall. When gift opening time arrived I just pointed to the quilt.

Susan