Packing Quilts
Lately, I’ve been packing up several quilt to ship them to shows. While doing so, I’ve been feeling really spoiled by my new shipping station. It’s just an empty table with supplies nearby, but it’s SO convenient! (Yes, I said empty table people. What a luxury!)
One show required that I send hanging dowels with eye screws for each quilt. That wouldn’t have been a problem if the quilt hadn’t been 51″ wide. And the box only 48″ long. After pondering my options, I consulted some online quilters and got several good suggestions for making a 2-piece hanging dowel.
Click any image for a larger view
Armed with this knowledge, hubby and I headed for the hardware store and came up the solution shown above. As you can see, the dowels can be joined with a coupler (found in the plumbing section.) I think this should work.
I use my empty table to roll the quilts around a swimming noodle.
Then, I wrap muslin around everything and pin it in place. After adding the appropriate paperwork it’s ready to go into the shipping box, (48 x 6 x 6.)
Aren’t I lucky to have such a set up?
Do you ship many quilts? If so, you may be interested in a much more detailed article on my website.
Ellen Lindner
P.S. You can see more about how I use this space here and here.
Thanks, Ellen, for the tips on mailing your work. I’ve been concerned about box cutters, and the extra paper at the ends of the box is a sound idea.
Still have my apple pinned to the top of my design wall. Reminds me of a fun workshop.
Gen
Glad this was helpful, Gen.
We DID have fun making those apples didn’t we?
Love this Ellen, hope you can keep your empty table empty! That’s a challenge. The noodle is a great idea. Just bartered a painting for some fabric art up here and it was delivered wrapped around a piece of noodle….keeps it from getting fold marks and I don’t have to flatten with an iron. Great minds….enjoy your blog always!
So far, so good, Cindy. Many fiber artists use swimming noodles for packing, so I can’t claim that idea.