Does a hand-stiched and tied quilt need to be dry-cleaned or can it go in the washing machine?

How big is it and what’s it filled w? Valuable hand-made quilts should usually be dunked in cold water and woolite in a bath-tub, gently squeezed and rolled in towels to absorb the moisture. But if the quilt is big, getting it out and on a line will be back-breaking. Is there a college or University near you w. a textile dept where you can talk to a curator?

Tied quilts are objectively less valuable than those that are hand-quilted, but if your grandmother made this, it is precious and you want to treat it tenderly.

If the only value is sentimental, ask a dry cleaner, but the idea of chemicals doesn’t thrill me.