Help !! Suggestions for moving bolts of fabric and China safely
 

The plan is to move me (probably in a month or 2) out of a home where I have lived for 30 years into a 1 bedroom senior complex apartment. I just was wondering if anybody on the board had any suggestions as to how to move +300 bolts of fabric safely without getting them dirty?? I am also worried about moving my 8 piece china set. THANKS for any suggestions !!!

i get coffee filters or paper plates and put between the plates and other dishes when i move ......try pillow cases for the fabric

Great ideas! I have made a mental note to remember this when we move (hopefully next year).

I would put the fabric bolts in large plastic bags and then wrap them tight with packing tape. They would be clean and stay together for easy moving. As you wrap the tape around make a loop on top with the tape, it makes a handle so you can pick it up. Foam plates would work for the china set. Then tuck into a box or tub with bubble wrap.

I agree with Tespug. We moved state to state and all my dishes were packed with cheap foam plates from Sams'. I did save them to use for picnics. Fabric was moved wrapped in trash bags (also reused) and rubbermaid bins. Sterlite don't cut it, they crack. Use rubbermaid. Have a good move. :)

The bedrooms for all your fabric & sewing equipment right? *giggles* Who needs a bedroom for sleeping, we can always sleep on the couch - that's why they invented "the pullout"!

I also agree with Tespug, for the bolts. As for the China set, we have moved about 10 times in the Navy. I always used news paper. Start with the big plates, use 5 sheets of newsprint then 1 plate, fold over one sheet of paper. Place next plate on top fold over next sheet, contune for total of 4 plates. Wrap the extra news paper around to make a neat package. The trick is to wrap tightly and pack tightly, as long as things don't shift they will travel fine. When packing your presents into the box use crumpled paper to tightly fill the spaces. Also don't drop the box.

If you are moving into a senior complex.... then, put someone else in charge of the work.....you just direct traffic! There are lots of easy suggestions for the china, but I wonder about the limited space available in a one bedroom apartment for that much fabric. The ones we have in our area are much too small to allow for your fabric. You may have to edit the fabric, or rent a climate controlled storage facility for the overage. Take only what you can reasonably fit into your space and still be comfortable, with room to work on your projects. Get involved in all the activities and trips available. Good luck on your new adventure!

What I'm wondering is where are you going to put 300 bolts of fabric in a one bedroom apartment!

Some of them can come to my house, she can have visitation. Well she may be a little to far away to come and visit often. Hehe.

Remember you won't have as much room. Think about what you will really have room for or you will be very cramped and that may make it more difficult for you to sew. Good Luck with your move

I wish you good luck also, we moved from a 6 BR house (2 floors +cellar) to a very small 2BR house (1 floor + cellar). We had boxes in the cellar for a LONG time.
And this was AFTER we had moved all the fabric, which went in the attic.

Thats what I was wondering! I used to be the nurse for an assisted living/senior residential complex and I was thinking back on the size of the 1 bedroom apartments. Maybe some of the bolts can become the frame for her bed? :p

Reading these post you have some great ideas for packing the china and fabric.

But as your packing- please remember space issues. There may not be room for 300 bolts of fabric. You may need to get a place with 2 bedrooms.

bubble wrap for the china. How are you going to get all those bolts in your new place? Taking the fabric off the bolt would save room then you could pack them in boxes or plastic bins. If they stay on the bolt...perhaps trash bags. Good luck!

Give the china to whomever you wish to have it! It will take up fabric space. I have moved twice in the last few years downsizing each time. I "tried" to give away three sets of china and I was surprised that no one wanted my precious and dearly acquired china sets. BUT, I never even thought about giving away my fabric! LOL!
Good luck with your move and concentrate on keeping your quilting things. Space and upkeep will be issues and I had no idea how little everything else (including some family heirlooms) mattered to my family. Sigh~

In this 1 bedroom apartment, there is a large walk in closet that is 6 feet on the back wall and 5.5 feet deep. I have a storage unit that is exact 6 feet wide and currently fits in my second bedroom closet holding all my bolts (or at least MOST of them!). Going today to see a quilting friend who lives there. I am going to take lots of pictures but I think it will work. I don't get around that much so most of my clothes fit into drawers so I don't need much vertical hanging. My motto should be "Where there is a WILL there is a WAY!!"

Believe it or not, I have cut my inventory in half selling on eBay a couple of years ago before them made it too complicated for me...... But I am giving away fabric I know I will NEVER use to our local church group who make quilts for Foster kids and the needy ( I also make tops for them too). I may also get enough courage to sell some of my fabrics on this board if I have time to post the pictures and figure out the shipping cost !! TOO MUCH too do in SO LITTLE TIME !!!

For your china, you could pack them in your clothing in the dresser or with your towels & wash cloths. Saves on boxes. I have always packed this way. I agree on the trash bags for your fabric. You can always use under the bed for storage & will be surprised how much you can get in a closet. I also have metal shelves for stacking my bolts on. Works good for me.

Think about taking a tape measure with you and write down all the measurements of the apartment.

Good Luck!

Nan

Not sure how big your bolts are. I would purchase some inexpensive tarp, wrap and duct tape to seal. When I moved from Indiana to south Texas I used my wash cloths and dish cloths and dish towels because if you use newspaper, often you have to wash the dishes after unpacking. This way they're ready to be put away as the same for the dishcloths. Bubble wrap can be purchased at office supply stores in different size bubbles. As for moving/packing your flatware, if they are already in a draw container, just use paper towels folded then tape across the top and bottom to secure the flatware. You can use the paper towels later for clean up. Sharp knives can be wrapped in paper towels then use newspaper to wrap those and secure with tape. I also mark the room on the boxes. If your clothes baskets and hampers are clean you can pack clothes and bath towels in those. you can also pack your bathroom into your hamper. Some things you don't use can go into the hamper just use other things to put them in. I always duct tape the container so nothing falls out, in case you have to lay it on it's side. Leave everything in your chest of drawer. Just lay tissue paper across the clothes. I've taken the drawers out of the chest moved the chest then put the drawers back in. Takes up less space. Just make sure the drawers won't fall out. Put another piece of furniture in front of it or use a bungie cord to hold in place. Move clothes you wear often while still on the hangers. just lay across a clean blanket big enough to flip back up over them. I have moved the back room last so it is the first room to unload (usually a bedroom).

Good suggestions here - I also would have a problem getting rid of the fabric - I would rather get rid of the china and clothes!

when we moved here from california the few bolts we put in large trash bags and put them on the sides of the taller boxes as padding. my cup an saucers that are the only ones left from my stepmom coming by boat from france to canada in the late 40's after the war and thing s we didn't want to break we packed n the other fabric. it didn't get dirty so i just unwrapped it and re folded it. it had wrinkles but i always iron my fabric before starting to cut anyway.
that worked really well for us and not so much crumbled up paper to get rid of.

Does the new place have a dining room or L? You can eat in the kitchen!

I have moved many many many times ! Take some of the fabric and wrap it around the china. Wrap each piece of the china with the fabric. Take your fabric and put it in a trash bag and then put into boxes. Tape the boxes shut. This should do the trick of moving for you.