I'm going to tell you how I pack & ship quilts and/or textile work to far-away places, but first I have to tell you a story: In the 1970's it must have been a lot cheaper to ship overseas, because huge Swedish boxes used to arrive at our home in California loaded with embroidered textiles, dishes (!), lead crystal (!!), children's books, nyponsoppa, trolls made from river rocks, wooden-soled clogs, Dala horses and any other impossibly heavy object that you wouldn't dream of shipping to a family member now, 40 years later. Okay, maybe if you have a magic checkbook you would do this. The boxes of my childhood weren't designed in Silicon Valley, they weren't filled with styrofoam peanuts or air bags, they weren't barcoded, they weren't shipped Prime. They were wrapped in brown paper and tied up with string (seriously). Indestructible and filled with mystery, they held the key to my mother and her past and to a family that loved and remembered us, despite living so far away. But the most sensual part? The part I still remember? These things smelled like Sweden -- all paper pulp, wind-whipped laundry and oiled wood. Heaven. Even still. These Swedes were expert packers and in all the years of sending and receiving boxes, only one coffee cup ever arrived broken (and we happily glued the handle back on). Opening a box from Sweden was steeped in the ritual of tangible and magical. When I hear about the strange phenomenon of contemporary self-videoed "unboxing," the epitome of consumption, it makes me sad. Our unboxing wasn't consumption, it was absolute nourishment. In my 20's, I traveled to Sweden alone and brought small handmade coin purses for my cousins -- two young women I didn't grow up with and barely knew. The sisters both unwrapped and immediately held the packaging to their noses, closing their eyes, like they'd done this a hundred times before. They looked at each other and whispered, "Smells like America." So here's how to pack your quilt (maybe like a Swede):I recently spent several hours preparing five textile pieces for travel. Two were delivered to the Anchorage Museum for the final round of jurying for their biennial show, All Alaska Juried XXXV (a 9 minute drive for me), two were dropped off for a local show at the blue.hollomon gallery (also a short drive) and the fifth was shipped to the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in Auburn, New York for the show "Quilts=Art=Quilts, 2014," and this place is just really far from where I am in Alaska. I'm not an art shipping expert, but I love art. I've had work shipped to my home and been thrilled with the care involved; alternatively, I've been dismayed by terrible packaging, and left wondering how the work arrived intact at all. One thing I am an expert on is packing wedding gowns (but, do NOT ask me to make you a wedding gown, do not do this), so I came to this latest task with this history in mind. And the key is a safe cushion of air. And time. And a beautiful presentation. Some tips:Save packaging materials despite your husband's complaints ("Why, yes, we do need an exploding closet full of bubble wrap and polyethylene foam"), allow more time than you think you'll require to do the job and gather all supplies in advance -- shipping tape, tape dispenser, blade, scissors, measuring tape, tissue paper, bubble wrap, lint roller, plastic, etc. Put good music on. Go pee. Wash your hands. The box:These are wall hangings we're talking about here, so plan on rolling them (do not roll a wedding gown ... did I mention I'm not making one for you?). I sourced 8" x 8" x 36" boxes that open on the long side. One piece measures 72" wide so I telescoped two 40-inch boxes together. (I'm hand delivering this big one, luckily because I would have had to use a magic checkbook to ship it, and if I create something this large again, I'd consider folding and rolling it, then making arrangements with the gallery/museum for an appropriate hanging apparatus. Well, I'd consider it, but in the end probably pay the shipping bill and no-way fold a textile piece or trust someone else's hangar. And then I'd make smaller work in the future. And this would make me feel disappointed. So then I'd manifest a magic checkbook). Packaging:I read a post a while back from artist Kathleen Loomis, in which she described collecting foam pool noodles to roll her textile work onto for shipping and I thought this was awesome advice. But here's the not-awesome part: try finding a pool noodle in Alaska in September. So I built custom-sized "noodles" from sheets of polyethylene foam, covered them with felt sleeves and this worked perfectly. Begin by spreading a single layer of acid free tissue and bubblewrap on the surface of the work, then loosely roll the textile onto the noodle from the top edge, wrong side out.* Wrap in another layer of bubble wrap, but don't use tape...someone will have to rip it off and may be tempted to use scissors. Keep it loose, keep it tidy, keep the cats out of the studio because you have already cleaned all that hair off with the lint roller in advance. If you failed to do this, go back and do it now. Next use a plastic bag to cover the roll and secure loosely at both ends. I've pieced white kitchen garbage bags together, but it's better to use clear.* The plastic creates more air around the work and also saves it when it slips off the conveyor belt and onto the tarmac in an Alaskan snow storm. Note here that this is for shipping and/or short term storage only. Do not store textiles in plastic. Do not store a wedding gown in plastic. Do not store your cheese in plastic. Plastic is bad, very bad for things that need to breathe, plus it will off-gas or trap moisture and facilitate mold. Quick, go run into the kitchen and put that cheese in some cheese paper while you're thinking about it. Wash your hands. Do not roll the artwork with the mounting mechanism or bars in the sleeve(s). Keep them separate in the box, but labeled. If you are shipping to an exhibit, along with many other artists, the gallery will be handling as many slats and bars as there are wall quilts, if not more. Label these with your name and the name of the piece, indicating if it is a top slat or bottom. Your artwork's label should have the same information. If you have a piece that could potentially be hung upside down by accident, indicate which way is up. It happens. Paperwork:This should include addresses and contact information to and from, pre-printed return labels (see next section), an inventory of everything in the box that you wish returned (including the packaging), plus hanging instructions. I inserted these in plastic sleeves and lay them on top, just below the cardboard insert. Shipping:Last step (or in my case, it was the first step to this whole process) -- obtain a UPS account (or FedEx, or whatever). Learn how the website works, and when you run into problems help-chat with Peggy O. and when Peggy O. doesn't understand your question about generating a pre-paid label with bar code to send to the gallery in advance, spend an hour on the phone with customer service while your children feed themselves dinner and periodically come show how they've grated 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese on their pasta all by themselves, luckily your 5-year-old daughter will give you many hugs because you are nearly in tears with frustration; you will attempt to print a pre-paid label with the advice you've received but soon realize the system won't let you insure the art for more than $1000, so connect to tech support, who will finally explain that you can't do it this way (despite customer service's assurance that you can), but they will tell you what to do and how to fix this issue (sort of) and then you will phone the gallery, explain, and those good folks will be happy to use your UPS account to insure and ship back to you after the show. With all of your original packaging material. Because you've labeled it.* And luckily, you've followed my best advice and allowed A LOT OF TIME for this whole process, especially if it's the first time. But it will get better, you will become faster and more efficient, your closets will bulge with pool noodles in anticipation. You'll know which work fits best in which box. And for any of you seasoned quilt/art shippers out there, if you see something I'm missing or doing wrong -- let me know and I'll make note of your advice right here by adding to the links at the end of this post. I would also, at this time, like to request a lead on a magic checkbook. Further resources for shipping and storing quilts: Kathleen Loomis: quilt storage, more quilt storage, preparing for shipping Quilter's Home Magazine: a seemingly definitive list of do's and don'ts Machine Quilting Unlimited: an even MORE definitive list *Amendments & Further Advice from others: 1.) Kathleen Loomis pointed out in a comment that rolling your artwork with the right side in will likely create a marred surface that is "all wrinkled and nasty." (Eew). So, with this advice in mind, roll your quilt with the right side out. But do consider surface treatment, materials, construction, and duration the piece will be stored -- then make a judgement call. The first piece I packed last week featured fragile elements on the surface like bone that I didn't want bashed around, especially when the piece is lifted out of the box and handled, so I know why I chose to roll it loosely inward with lots of cushion everywhere. It also wasn't going to sit in that state for very long. 2.) Joyce Potter (Swede) has these three things to add: 1.) A horror story about plastic wrap somehow melting onto a quilt during transit (Whoa ... just, whoa), so wrap in muslin before putting the plastic over top. Sheesh. 2.) NEVER wrap in opaque trash bags lest some well-meaning soul think s/he's being helpful by "taking out the trash" at the gallery or final destination, and 3.) a good point about shipping labels and sticky fingers ... a box labeled "textiles" or "second-hand fabric" is far less interesting than "quilt" or "artwork." Do you have further advice based on your own trial, error and experience? I'm happy to continue adding amendments for everyone's benefit. For more posts on how I do some things in my studio and art practice, check out the How To Category on the side bar of this blog.
24 Comments
9/29/2014 01:01:21 am
I don't know how this reached me, but I had to write and say how much I enjoyed it. I lived in Sweden for many years and one thing my ex could do really well was PACK!! I 've often thought of his skills in that area when I've been struggling to pack a quilt, or other textile pieces that didn't need squashing! Your advice was SO useful and I'm sure lots of people who have suffered some of your frustrations will be very glad of it. With very best wishes, Rosalind
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9/29/2014 10:32:38 pm
Rosalind--Hej pa dej! I'm sure this post reached you simply because it was supposed to. There must be some crazy "packing" Swede dna, that is probably linked to being able to roll one's "r's" and liking pink fish paste that comes in a blue and yellow tube. I wish you the best with your own packing adventures and so appreciate the comment -- I'm sure there's a much deeper story there about your time spent in Sweden. Wishing you the best, Amy
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9/29/2014 02:25:35 am
I am an aspiring art quilter in Fairbanks, with Norwegian heritage, so I enjoyed your article. (I even have a daughter named Britta :-)) I have no advice, however, I haven't had to ship much, and my quilts are usually quite small. I am going in lots of directions at once, but right now the focus is on designing patterns and kits so other people can stick their toes in beginning art quilting...I hope to hand enough of that off to other people so I can still have time for my own artwork!!! The Quilt Tree and Quilted Raven carry my patterns and finished quilted greeting cards in Anchorage. I'd love to see what you do, I'll have to look around your site. Mine is onthetrailcreations.com, nice "meeting" you :-) Beret
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9/29/2014 10:37:45 pm
Hi Beret--I think I've seen your cards in the shop! Thank you for reaching out here and I hope we'll have the opportunity to meet up some time. Drop me a line when you're in Anchorage next and in the meantime I'll poke around on your site, too. (ps--I almost named my girl "Britta," too).
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kathy loomis
9/30/2014 03:45:52 am
Amy -- thanks for the shout-out! But I have to wonder why you want to roll your quilts right side in. That means that the backing will be nice and smooth but the right side will be wrinkled because it has to be crammed into a shorter space (just like the pants on the top of your bent knee are smooth, but the pants behind the knee get all wrinkled and nasty).
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9/30/2014 04:09:11 am
Crap. That's what's been wrong with my pants all this time. See, I knew I was doing something wrong. Brilliant.
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Joyce Potter
10/1/2014 02:55:46 am
I am an American quilter of 100% Swedish heritage, so of course I had to read this.
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10/1/2014 03:29:30 am
Joyce - Tak sa mycket! Wonderful advice and OH MY LORD..who melts a quilt?! Amazing. Now I have to protect from water AND fire? Unbelievable.
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Colleen Pidgeon
10/3/2014 06:58:36 am
I have no comments to add regarding the instructions but this article and the amendments make this one of the most amusing and useful educational moments I've had in a long time! I did carry, as hand luggage, a quilt from Canada's East Coast to Paris. No one was handling it but me!
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10/3/2014 07:12:38 am
Colleen, I'm thrilled to educate and amuse simultaneously. I wish I had the same effect on my children, who find me the opposite of amusing. And and as for the carry-on quilt...I'm hearing from so many folks with disastrous experiences who would probably ALL opt to hand carry each and every quilt if it was at all possible.
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10/3/2014 05:39:46 pm
Hi Amy,
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10/4/2014 12:00:57 am
Catherine, I don't even know where to begin. Your life spans such great distances. I could write an entire novel based on the Sweden of my mother's childhood and how this doesn't exist anymore, yet is still so real for her. I think we take in and nourish ourselves from our surroundings, no matter how beautiful or ugly they seem at the time and it is for this reason that they always dwell within us and pull at our hearts. I'm sure spending time with those new babies will offer you new-found nourishment and I am happy for them that they will have you nearby. I didn't grow up with my Swedish grandmother and she will always be a mystery to me. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Catherine Henderson
10/4/2014 02:14:47 am
Swedes are not the only ones with a packing fetish! The Swiss do it impeccably as well...I used to adore those big cardboard boxes that arrived at Christmas time in North Vancouver packed full of gifties from my Swiss grandmother. All six siblings scrambled through the exquisite packaging to place the fully wrapped and ribboned treasures under the tree until the big day. My dad demonstrated his inherited packing finesse when loading all of us into vehicles to go camping and of course, I take extra care whenever packing a quilt, a suit case, or even the dishwasher (being 1/4 Swiss, that is!) It drives my husband crazy - especially my stash of boxes and bubble wrap and tissue. Thanks for your worthy demonstration for packing quilts!
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10/5/2014 12:13:17 pm
Thank you for sharing Catherine! Of course we drive our husbands nuts, but you just need to point out what a thrifty, eco-conscious European you're being -- bubble wrap isn't cheap! And besides the small-worldishness of the lovely European Christmas gift story that we share ... I also used to live in Vancouver. Crazy!
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10/13/2014 01:45:24 am
Dear Amy,
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10/13/2014 04:36:34 am
Elaine -- Double-boxing...yes!...especially for the smaller sizes is a good idea. A friend just sent me 2 largish boxes full of fabric and vintage quilts and both boxes were pretty beat up when they arrived. All was ok, but one good rainstorm/puddle would have created a real mess. And funny you mention the carpets, because I'd forgotten how surprised I'd been when we bought some really nice Turkish carpets a few years ago, and the guy folded them up and wrapped them in some icky rope before hauling them out to my car. I'm so pleased the article was like sunshine for you -- writing should do this! I think receiving a dried Italian sausage wrapped in olive-oil soaked muslin from someone I really love would be my own personal sunshine.
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Erynn
3/1/2015 04:58:21 am
I always cut an extra piece of cardboard to lay along the length of the top seam of the box. Just to give an extra layer of protection against box cutters.
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3/1/2015 07:44:14 am
Erynn--YES! Cardboard protector! I have a nasty story from my youth making costumes about a set of pink sparkly suit jackets that we made for a 1950's inspired band, "Papa Clutch and the Shifters" We overnighted the box of jackets to their next gig and "Papa Clutch" got a little overzealous with the box cutter. The Shifters were ok for the show that night but Papa Clutch didn't get to wear his own jacket.
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Peggy
3/8/2015 03:27:08 am
I have enjoyed reading everyone's stories and comments! I just completed a challenge quilt (30" x 30") that has to be shipped to New Hampshire from the Toronto area. Not to far..... However the quilt is three dimensional flowers and butterflies and I am really stumped regarding the packing and shipping. Of course I didn't think far enough ahead when I started out on this adventure. Who would have thought the biggest challenge would be packing the quilt. I constructed a 32" x 32" box and was going to use double sided tape to hold the quilt in place, until i noticed the tape packaging said permanent tape.....that sounded ominous! Went online and sure enough, can't use that tape. Then I went hunting for help and found you Amy. I am contemplating hanging the quilt inside the box in a quilt hanger attached to the box.... Or taking the quilt to UPS and having them pack it. I am really stumped!
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3/8/2015 08:16:03 am
Hi Peggy,
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Peggy
3/10/2015 10:36:16 pm
Hello Sweet Amy! 3/10/2015 11:24:13 pm
Dear Peggy of Vast Box-Building Talents,
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Amy MeissnerArtist in Anchorage, Alaska, sometimes blogging about the collision of history, family & art, with the understanding that none exists without the other. Categories
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