AMY MEISSNER
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How to box & ship a quilt (like a Swede).

9/29/2014

24 Comments

 
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."

Amy Meissner, how to ship a quilt, www.amymeissner.com

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).
 
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www.amymeissner.com shipping quilts
Boxes in my studio, ready for loading.
www.amymeissner.com shipping quilts
Double hull reinforcement with cut-to-size cardboard paneling -- this one's getting shipped.

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.

www.amymeissnercom. shipping quilts
Custom made foam noodle.
www.amymeissner.com. shipping quilts
Loose roll of foam noodle, tissue paper and quilt.
www.amymeissner.com. shipping quilts
Loose layer of bubble wrap.
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.

www.amymeissner.com. shipping quilts
Label your packaging materials with a business card, so it's easily returned to you, or so someone knows who to phone when your box is mangled in the conveyor belt in the Alaskan snow storm.
www.amymeissner.com. shipping quilts
Leave a cushion of air at each end of the roll inside the box. It shouldn't move around in there, but be sure you don't cram your work into a box that's too small either.
www.amymeissner.com. shipping quilts
Use those salvaged air packs for cushion during shipping. Seeing them leave your closet will make your husband happy.
www.amymeissner.com. shipping quilts
Cover all the packing material with a cardboard insert before sealing the box with tape so no one ACCIDENTALLY SLICES OPEN YOUR TEXTILES WITH A BOX CUTTER.

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.

www.amymeissner.com. shipping quilts
For hand delivery.
www.amymeissner.com. shipping quilts
For hand delivery.

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.
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24 Comments
Rosalind Johansson link
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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Amy Meissner link
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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Beret Nelson link
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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Amy Meissner link
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).
All the best,
Amy

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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).

kathy

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Amy Meissner link
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.

So, that's a great amendment and I know why I started off the process with the right side in...the first piece I packed included fragile found objects like bones worked into it that needed a little extra protection. The others don't, but darn that getting stuck in a rut and all that business.

Still have time to unbox and re-roll one of the quilts before shipping....not sure about what to do with my wrinkly nasty pants though. And what about how they do the opposite and bag out at the knees?

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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.

Three additions occurr to me. BEFORE you put any plastic (in this case kitchen bags) on the outside, be sure there is a layer of fabric between that and the quilt! An old sheet or bit of muslim will do. Or you can make a drawstring bag of fabric that fits the quilt... Why? Because I read years ago of a quilt boxed with plastic that got very close to something very hot in transit and the plastic melted on to the quilt.

Point two is to NEVER use trash bags in a quilt wrap because there are stories of quilts so bagged being treated as actual trash... not the treasure they were in reality.

And point three which you did not mention - if possible, do not use the word "quilt" in the shipping documentation as it can attract thieves. "Fabric", "Used/second hand Fabric", even "Fiber Art" could be better descriptors.

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Amy Meissner link
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.
I've added your tips at the Amendments section.
Many thanks!
Amy

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Bindhurani link
10/3/2014 03:39:52 am

I am sharing it on LinkedIn. Nice article. Thank you.

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Amy Meissner link
10/3/2014 07:13:37 am

Fabulous! Share away!

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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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Amy Meissner link
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.

Wouldn't it be great if it WAS possible?! Mainly, I just want to go to Paris and having to carry a quilt there seems like a fabulous excuse.

Amy

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Catherine Lawes link
10/3/2014 05:39:46 pm

Hi Amy,
I have so enjoyed reading your story. It brightened my slightly down feeling this morning. Your packing ideas are brilliant. I have sent art work from New Zealand in the past 5 years and went to great lengths to make sure they arrived safely and not too crumpled. It was pointless to insure them for anything more than 35GBP as after that amount HMRC charges VAT even on temporary competition entries. Over 135GBP they charge VAT and Customs.Duty. I know as I had to pay the VAT on one entry. And on birthday gifts from NZ to the UK.
I have packed and shipped my household goods twice now. To NZ in 2009 and back here in 2013. Only one tea cup handle broken on the return journey. I learnt years ago from professional packers how to wrap glasses etc. I found a good way to lessen the weight of book boxes was to use some of the bigger ones to line the china and glass boxes and then pack the top of every box with a couple of folded NZ wool blankets. Good way to get the blankets all back here and good cushioning. It also meant I could actually lift the boxes at this end when unpacking.
My cat hated it all but then he had to stay behind in NZ with a friend and had a good life till he disappeared earlier this year. So I have folded boxes, boxes full of bubble wrap, folded wrapping paper and much more. At least i only have to answer to myself and fall over all the said material.
I had a good labeling system for all my material coming back until the shippers overwrapped everything in opaque bubble wrap and put another number on it and itemixed them as " Material " on the shipping list. Being confronted with about 100 boxes like that not knowing what was in each was annoying to say the least. I had a real treat unwrapping the bubble wrap. So now have piles of that as well.
And why did I put myself through all that. I grew up in NZ and needed to return and reconnect. I have that same feeling as you do for anything coming from NZ now. I came back as neither of my sons had the opportunity to move out there and the arrival of twin grandsons in the UK was the deciding factor. I am glad to be here but miss NZ with a passion.
I luckily haven't had to contend with the snow at Alaskan airports. Before I shipped my goods back a container ship cutting corners hit a reef off the coast from Tauranga in the North Island and many families lost all their worldly possessions - UNINSURED. The reef is called the Astrolabe Reef and some of the cargo was wine from the Astrolabe Vineyard in Marlborough, where I had been living. How about that for a strange coincidence. The wine they produce is fantastic and not cheap so the gods must have been having a laugh that day.
Catherine

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Amy Meissner link
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.
Blessings,
Amy

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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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Amy Meissner link
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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Elaine Longtemps link
10/13/2014 01:45:24 am

Dear Amy,
Your article about packing is brilliant! I especially love the part about the grating of the 1/4 cup of parmigiana on top of the pasta, having just experienced that with my granddaughter. I remember sending packages from Italy many years ago and the incredible procedure of twine and metal locks that were hammered in place. Just the process of mailing took all day. My father, who was an interior decorator, always wrapped the finished draperies in muslin and then pinned them with safety pins. My grandmother always wrapped her cheese in muslin soaked in vinegar. I must confess to using plastic wrap; I'll have to do something about that! I remember sending an Italian dried sausage to my son who was in college far away and wrapping that, also, in muslin soaked in olive oil. It is interesting to note that valuable oriental carpets should also be rolled right side out; although people from Iran or Turkey tend to fold them and pack them or carry them that way. I'm happy to know that I am doing almost everything correctly in packing my artwork. I was told to double box and wrap the second box in garbage bags to waterproof it. I, personally, use FedEx ground for my smaller boxes and FedEx Freight for my large, wood crates. No matter how carefully I pack, the boxes and crates are very banged up in shipping, so double boxing is of value when possible. Thank you so much for your article. It was like sunshine in my day.

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Amy Meissner link
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.
Amy

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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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Amy Meissner link
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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Amy Meissner link
3/8/2015 08:16:03 am

Hi Peggy,

First off, your quilt sounds amazing and I’d love to see it someday! Secondly, I’m totally flattered that you would contact me for advice. When I break the dilemma down, I’m hearing that you have a fragile 3-D piece that needs to ship flat with protection and can’t move around in transit.
I think I have an elegant solution and it involves building a sort of “nest” for the piece. When I used to ship children’s book illustrations — a stack of anywhere between 12-18 watercolors — I would ship them in a flat 2-3” deep box, but of course I didn't want them moving around, same as your quilt. So, I would make a “packet” for them out of glassine, then attach the packet to a piece of sturdy cardboard that was slightly smaller than the box. All of this would go into a sealed plastic bag then placed into he box with crumpled newsprint around it to take up the space and keep it all from moving around.
I’m sure you’re down to the wire in terms of time, but what I’m envisioning for you isn’t terribly complicated and a version of my “packet" might work. Start with a square of cardboard, 30 1/2 x 30 1/2 (-ish), that you set the quilt on, then you need to create some version of my “packet” to go all around your piece + the cardboard. This could be made from plastic laundry bags, or a custom built cotton bag with lightweight gauzy flaps. If your quilt still seems to be slipping, perhaps you could anchor it at 2-3 points by stitching it loosely at the corners through the cardboard with instructions on how to snip it free before installation. By creating a lot of air around the piece, it will stay stabilzed and protected. The last part would be to build another partial box that this “packet” slides into before dropping into the 32 x 32 box, something that is open on 2 sides and is lifted straight up or slid out of the main box (depending on which end your box opens. This needs to have a solid cardboard side facing the opening edge to protect your piece from the blade they’ll use to open it.
Does this make sense?

Air is your friend, printed newspaper (black mess) and tape of any sort (good you checked on the double-sided stuff) is not. The simpler you keep this, the easier it will be to unpack and REPACK. The good folks who will do their very best to get this back to you safely have a lot of other quilts to ship back as well, and won’t have the time & heart investment that you do (but will surely do their best if you provide special instructions).

If you come up with a solution, you should photograph your steps so it will help someone else down the road!

Let me know if this works! This is going to be a mother of a shipping bill…ack! I have a couple of pieces with bones embedded in them (what was I thinking) and am in the same situation in terms of fragility and shipping. I hate the idea of limiting my work when I’m compelled to create something a certain way, but shipping is certainly a factor that I’ve been taking into consideration more and more.

Good luck!

Amy

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Peggy
3/10/2015 10:36:16 pm

Hello Sweet Amy!

Thank you so much for your amazingly quick reply to my cry for help!
I too will consider packing and shipping while designing my next challenge quilt! What a journey! I started out by visiting Michaels to ask for a discarded frame box. Instead they donated two large sheets of cardboard. So I created a top and a bottom to complete a box about 33" x 35" and 4" for storing the quilt. The next day I called UPS to ask for some help. They told me to reinforce the corners and sides with rigid styrofoam and to use hot glue to stick it to the cardboard. Hot glue, no way, but remember that double sided tape? It worked really well! I stitched the quilt to the bottom of the box by stitch tacking it to the four corners, the middle of each side, some extra spots across the top of the quilt, and three random spots in the body of the quilt. When my husband picked up the box the quilt didn't move! I included inside the box a note with a map of where the stitches where located, an apology to the person that will be snipping all those stitches, and a suggestion to ship it back gently folded in the usual way as I could fix anything that didn't travel to well when it arrived back home. I just wanted it to get to it's location without anything amiss! After stitching the quilt in place I taped over all the stitch marks and holes on the opposite side of the box. Next I put the top and bottom together and taped it together really well. I addressed the box and then taped the entire surface, all around with clear tape, in an effort to make the box waterproof just in case..... It weighed four pounds in total and shipping cost $75 to go from Toronto area to New Hampshire! Ouch! I took photos but have not been able to get them to you. Both my emails and photos have been "delayed in sending" twice. So I am writing on your blog hoping you at least receive my story. In closing I need to say I so appreciate your understanding of my dilemma and your very helpful reply. My Norwegian grandmother taught me to always say tak su mika (spelling?), thank you. So thank you Amy! Your friend, Peggy

Amy Meissner link
3/10/2015 11:24:13 pm

Dear Peggy of Vast Box-Building Talents,

Var så god!! You're Welcome (!), although it sounds like you were well on your way to figuring out the dilemma without my assistance. It's always nice to have a buddy to confer with in times of uncertainty. I find there's nothing like shipping/the idea of shipping/the anticipation of shipping/the just having shipped to elevate my heart rate and make my armpits prickle.
Good to know I have a buddy out there! Thank you for making contact!
XO
Amy

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    Amy Meissner, textile artist. Photo credit Brian Adams, 2013. www.amymeissner.com

    Amy Meissner

    Artist in Anchorage, Alaska, sometimes blogging about the collision of history, family & art, with the understanding that none exists without the other.

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