Best way to ship a queen size quilt?
 

I'm getting close to finishing my first queen size quilt which will be shipped to the west coast. I'm looking for ideas on how best to ship it. It looks a bit large to stuff into a large flat rate box. The quilt is about 88"x 105". My other thought is do you need to be concerned about how it is folded? Any ideas are appreciated!

Insure it and require a signature at receipt of it. Usps, Fed Ex, UPS, whatever.
Sandy

I found for heavier items that FedEx can be a better price...but I would box it, weigh it and then look on each website and see what the cost would be. If you go to a Mailing store or whatever they are called...it usually costs more. See if would fit in the large USPS box - but I doubt it. Fed ex and UPS are insured up to $500 I think in the price...USPS not.

I would go with FedEx Ground Home service. They've always been very reliable and I've never had anything arrive with a damaged box or any indication that it's been negligently treated. :)

Place in a large plastic bag then roll to remove the air, tape it shut. That should reduce it in size. Here in Australia we have heavy duty expandable paper bags which I find ideal for posting quilts. Can fit two single bed quilts in one bag and that's with them wrapped as presents.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Now I have to find a box big enough!

i have used the large usps box flat rate to ship large quilts yes it gets squashed but I have done it over and over.

At our local Home Depot they have an assortment of 'moving boxes....that should work. And I agree, put the quilt in a plastic bag, to squish out air and to protect the quilt in case the box gets wet.....and put your name and address inside the box incase some thing happens to outside label.....Make darn sure it is insured and has tracking and a signature required. During the summer on this board remember a quilt was lost and she was heart broken for weeks.....Think of all the hours you have in the precious quilt, you want to protect it as much as possible.

I've shipped tons of yarn and fabric and cloth diapers... The very best method I have found is to get a large flat rate box and put a garbage bag in it open at the top. Fold the quilt to the correct dimension and set it inside. It will be taller than the box, but that's ok. Use a vacuum to suck all the air out of the garbage bag, twist the top and tape it shut. You will be amazed at how small it gets. Everything I have shipped this way fluffs back up at the other side no problem. :) and definitely get insurance and delivery confirmation!!!

Just another thought - i recently shipped several "couch" quilts - i bought a "Space Bag" big enough to hold them - packed them, sucked the air out - and shipped in a much smaller box. Didn't change the weight of course -- and the space bag protected them in the box (in case it got wet) - I ship everything FedEx ground --- and i ship a lot as all our family lives 1300 miles away....had too many problems with UPS over the years...don't use the Post Office either. A little more expensive, yes...but you can track it all the way.