I'm mailing a baby quilt and table runner to my SIL in Maryland.
I know I need to insure both items but not sure what value to reasonably put on them. (lots of pain and agony making the table runner!) It is better to mail quilts UPS or US mail?
How do you pack your quilts for mailing?

Doesn't matter.
Should they get lost or damaged, unless you have a certified appraisal for insurance purposes, the most - the MOST - you'll maybe get back is the cost of supplies.

The post office considers a quilt something you get at Kmart for $20. They're not in the least interested in your skill or the time you spent creating it.

Sorry, but that's the reality.

Send it USPS Priority w/ DelConf.
That's how I always send my gifts and packages - within the US, and also to Canada and international destinations.

You can send if Signature Confirmation if you want someone to sign for it but it still won't matter if the package is lost.

Same, btw, for UPS and FedEx.
They won't even insure the artwork.
Most of the well-known teachers/quilters - who ship their item all over the place to guilds/shows - have separate insurance policies to cover the items should anything go wrong.

Loosely wrapped the quilts in bubble wrap to protect from rain, etc. Mailed in box well taped. Insured for what it would cost to purchase a replacement. Sent by U.S. mail. Friends told me they were delivered to door by mailmen. Have mailed 4 quilts this way without any problems.

I would use a shipping service that lets you track the package. Make sure you get the tracking number and use it! In my opinion, the Postal Service's delivery confirmation is not as useful as UPS's or FedEx's tracking.

As far as insurance goes, without an appraisal it will be hard to prove how much your quilt is worth. You might try figuring out how much the material costs were, and something for your labor. If you have receipts, keep them until the quilt arrives at its destination.

Use a sturdy box for shipping. Label the quilts with your name, address, and phone number, and wrap the quilts in a clear plastic bag. Write the shipping information on a card and attach that to the plastic bag - that way if the outside label is damaged, the information is still with the quilt. Make sure the carton is securely taped so it won't pop open.

If you want more info, Maria Elkin's website lostquilt.com has a section on shipping - it's very helpful!

Janet

I put mine in a plastic bag inside the box and tape well. I use USPS - insured (for the amount I am charging the person if they have commissioned it), otherwise, what I think it's worth, priority mail with delivery confrimation. Have never had a problem.

I ship frequently to the west coast, and I use usps with delivery confirmation, some times I insure but most of the time not, I have never had an issue.

I prefer to us FedEx. I feel less people handle the package, therefore, less chance of getting lost. Like CoriAmD stated, I insure for the amount I am commissioned to do the quilt for. The USPS told me I could insure it for the amount I would sell it for.

i ship quilts all across the country on a regular basis- i always send them through the post office- i use priority flat rate boxes when they will fit- when they wont fit i have to use a different box- but i still send priority- with delivery confirmation. I ensure them- if it is over $200 the delivery confirmation is included/no extra charge.
the one time i did not follow this plan the package took 4 months to arrive at it's destination- as long as i've been doing them this way they arrive within 3 days (4 or 5 if a weekend is involved)
i had one package (in over 10 years of sending through the mail) that was damaged in transit- and the quilt was damaged- when i filled out the claim i received the $200 i had it insured for.

One tip I was told at the post office is to make sure to but inside the package a ship to address as well as a return address. They said often if a package is lost and the outside address is no longer legible they open the package to see if there is a clue to where it belongs.
They went on to say that many of the packages that end up in their "lost" bin would be able to be delivered if only a shipping label was on the inside as well as the outside.

I ship mine in those plastic space bags. While the seals on those things don't hold up long term they do work beautifully for shipping. Can't help on insuring..But I most definitely would get a delivery confirmation.