SHIPPING YOUR QUILT

If you are unable to drop off your quilt at one of the check-in locations, here are some helpful hints to make sure it arrives safely through the mail.

The first thing you need to consider is how you intend to pack your quilt for transport. There are two main methods that experienced quilters tend to recommend:

1. Ship your quilt in a box– Use a strong and sturdy box of a suitable size that is made of a hard and durable material that cannot be easily crushed. Make sure that the box is large enough to minimize the amount of times the quilt has to be folded, and ensure that it is high enough that you don’t have to force the quilt down to close the lid. If you need to tape up the lid of the box, then it is a good idea to cover the top of your quilt with a spare piece of cardboard in order to protect the quilt from accidental damage if a knife is used to open the box. Always make sure to tape up all the edges and seams of the box, even if it looks strong enough as is. This can give extra structural strength to the box and prevent the seams from getting caught on other items during transit and causing the box to fall apart. Also, always make sure you use proper packing tape to seal the box as other types of tape such as masking tape are often not strong enough for the task or may come undone during transit. To minimize creases, first fold the quilt horizontally, then vertically. After it is hung, the weight of the quilt will draw out the worst (horizontal) creases. Placing tissue paper between the folds will also minimize creases
2. Ship your quilt in a tube– Alternatively, you may be able to roll your quilt and ship it inside a suitable large and sturdy shipping tube. The main advantage of this method is that you can avoid having to fold the quilt at all. This is desirable as it will help to preserve the condition of all quilts and it can be almost essential for vintage, antique or embellished quilts. It is important to properly seal the ends of the tube once the quilt is rolled up and placed inside. Use packing tape and seal each end using a large cross pattern with ample tape such that the end is well secured. One drawback with using a tube is that most postal and courier services are best at transporting regular box-shaped items. Boxes tend to stack neatly in delivery trucks and planes, whereas tubes can be awkward to handle as they tend to roll around and get misplaced more easily. Also, chances are that extra human handling will be required during shipping. We all know that humans are much better than machines at making mistakes, and you could end up with your quilt going to the wrong place, or worse, losing it altogether!

Regardless of which shipping method you choose to use, when packing your quilt, it is always a good idea to first wrap it in a cotton sheet or pillow case to protect the fabric and then wrap it in plastic to protect from accidental water or liquid damage before putting it in the box or tube.

It goes without saying that the address of the destination should be clearly and visibly marked on the outside of the package in large, legible print. It is also a good idea to include your originating address (as the sender) on the inside of the box in case the destination cannot be reached, and the package must be returned to sender. Make sure the address is firmly attached to the inside of the box or the tube. If it is a separate piece of paper, it may get lost when the box is opened.

When marking the package, it is a good idea to always describe the contents as “textiles” or “bedding” instead of “quilt”. This is particularly important when valuable antique or classic vintage quilts are being transported, as these tend to attract the attention of thieves!

If your quilt is of particular value, always make sure to get your quilt professionally appraised before you intend to ship it. Use the appraisal to get appropriate insurance coverage for the shipping, its return (if it needs to be returned) and for the entire duration that it will be away.

Finally, it is generally a good idea to always pay more for the express delivery option. Packages that are sent express tend to spend less time in storage and transit and hence have less chance of being damaged. Always record the tracking number of the package so you can chase it down should it get lost. But don’t rely entirely on it, as not all tracking systems are foolproof. Make sure you label the package clearly!

From Quilting 101.com