mailing a quilt
 

When I mailed a quilt to my daughter - I did the following -

Used priority mail
Insured it
Had her go to the post office and sign for it

It cost more and was inconvenient for my daughtrr - but I was reasonably sure it would end up in her hands.

thanks, I may be mailing one soon.

Depending on the size/weight of the quilt you might want to opt for FedEx ground. You can track it all the way, add additional insurance it if you chose - and have it delivered directly to her home or office - whichever is more convenient (business address delivery is cheaper). I've used them nationally and internationally to send quilts - and knock wood, i've never had a single problem.

If you are wanting to protect from moisture in the air (commonly called rain) you might want to wrap it in plastic. I use a CLEAR trash bag, tape the address label to it. I also put address label inside bag just in case box gets damaged. Then I put it in box, tape shut, address it and take to shipper. Sounds like overkill but I want the address in several places just in case.

She is a traveling sales rep. I have more confidence in usps than her company mailroom.

I Vacuum Seal all the quilts and art I send around the world. Reduces the size and the cost. Never any damage.

I just mailed three quilts but used UPS.....I also set it up so that I was texted by UPS as to its status along the way and final delivery. It made it from NJ to Michigan in two days. And that with the storms.....

I have always sent USPS Priority Mail on the advice of my mother (RIP) who worked for the post office. She was postmaster in the little town I was raised and we lived. Everything went Priority, insured with signature. That is how I have done with all packages and also Christmas gift cards. Everything that was wrapped had an address. I write the address with industrial permanent marker on the outside, then on a card inside and another index card on top of the address outside. I overkill with the tape. DH says I probably pay extra because of the extra ounces of weigh just for the tape. OH well! I do not mark fragile. Anything fragile is in the middle of the box with plenty of packaging around it. I do not write on the box anything like quilt, material or fabric. Only Priority.

That is the way I always send mine also.

If you're shipping FedEx to a residential address, you have to request a signature for delivery. Otherwise they just leave it. I've shipped UPS but only to people with PO boxes or to business addresses. So far haven't had any problems. And when I order things I have packages delivered to my work address rather than risk having them sit on the porch waiting for me to get home.

HouseDragon, I'm happy things turned OK with your sewing machine. You'd think the shipper would request a signature for delivery on something that valuable.

YOu can also do all that using the Post office. I prefer the USPS for sending and receiving packages. My mail is delivered at approximately the same time every day. I never know when FedEx or UPS will show up.

I always use UPS when sending large or expensive quilts, cheaper than the PO in many cases, the first $100 of insurance is free and getting more insurance costs less than the USPS.

I figure, there is a reason the PO charges more for insurance, they lose more packages. Also, having had to file claims with both, UPS is MUCH more customer friendly when dealing with an insurance claim. None of this "you have to wait 60 days" business.

I also add the addresses of where it is going and where it is from inside the box, in a plastic baggie. If something happens to the package and the addresses get ruined, and it does happen, the carrier will have info on where it is going and can save the quilt from being lost.
peace

I hope you take pics of the quilts before you pack them. And I thought of another way to sign the quilts. Yes, the outside label on the quilt itself is important, but what happens if that label is taken off. When you have the quilt binding sewed on the front side, take time to sign it near the corners, or wherever you prefer, then you can cover that info up when you turn the binding to the back side. I think I will sign it on the quilt edge itself and not on the binding. I think this would be really good for those teachers who transport lots of quilts across the country. I certainly will do it on my future quilts.

re: usps insurance. remember to keep all your receipts. Even though the nice clerk will insure your package for whatever you say, you can only collect for whatever you have receipts. You cannot collect anything for your time.
http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/609.htm#1097244
section 4.3 item ag.
Non Payable: Personal Time used to make hobby, craft, or similar handmade items.

I really do wish I had thought of the "having to sign" part. On Sept. 24 I sent a quilt to my favorite news correspondent for his birthday (Oct. 1). I wrote him a letter on Dec 18, and sent an email to 48 Hours sometime after that. I finally got a letter on Feb 17 saying that he never got it. The post office said it was delivered on Sept 26. The time to collect on the insurance ran out on Nov. 24.

Remember that in order to collect on an insurance claim, you must have proof of value. In the case of a quilt that you made, that would mean sales receipts for the materials used, an appraisal from a certified appraiser, or, if shipping to a buyer, a copy of the invoice. Absent any proof, you'll usually get around $100.

Here are two good articles on shipping, the first is quilt specific, the second covers art in general.
http://www.quiltershomemag.com/artic...hip_your_quilt

http://www.surfacedesign.org/newsblo...g-your-artwork

I would certainly attach to the quilt the address it is going to. My best friend made a baby quilt for her nephew's baby. She mail it in a USPS Flat envelope. Unfortunately, the only thing that arrived was the label off the envelope. I always use a glue stick and wrap the label with lots of tape (except where the tracking numbers are). I was lucky to have received a USPS flat envelope that had been ripped wide opened. It was sheer luck that it was intact because the seller had placed fabrics in a plastic bag but didn't close it. The fabric was undamaged even in it's tattered state with an apology from the USPS.

I don't like using FedEx or Ups, as they both leave the pkges outside the door, seldom ever knock or ring the door bell. Even now that I'm retired and home most of the day, I never know when they bring something unless I should hear their truck. I always prefer to send USPS and priority or required signature. I NEVER let them know what is inside, only that there is nothing perishable. if I'm sending clothes or fabric of any kind I usually put some little non breakable thing inside just to rattle, and let them know that there is nothing breakable, but that there may be a rattle. I've only sent one quilt, and thank goodness it arrived. I am finishing hand sewing the binding on a king size quilt now, and it will be going to DD as a gift from her to a friend,- she only lives 100 miles away, but will wait and take it - or send it with someone who is going to where she lives-a college town and lots here commute to school - too much time has been spent on it to worry if it will get there and she ordered all of the fabric online last spring. I also put the addressee's and sender's address inside pinned to garment or fabric I mail and TAPE well plus insure for over the amount of contents it seems.

After a couple ( less than acceptable) experiences with UPS and FedEx I went back to USPS. I always send Priority with insurance and delivery confirmation and have been very happy. It is less expensive and faster than the other 2 carriers I tried.

If you vacuum seal the quilt you can put an extra address label on the inside and then you are able to get it into a priority box, makes it cheaper to mail , and track..have the receiving party sign for it.... everyone is happy....been sending mine all over the United States like that, not lost one yet...(knock on wood.

Been mailing packages all over the country in Priority Rate boxes with the USPS since the war started, mailed over 1,000. I have never had a box go missing even overseas. I do use common sense. Write plainly, cover address with tape, tape well, never put anything on the label (customs labels where needed) that would indicate anything of valuable inside. But since I have also worked at the USPS. And trust me, you would not believe what we saw that was considered "acceptable" by customers!! Jeez!

House Dragon, you bring up a good point! Some thieves deliberately follow delivery trucks nowadays, so I would never have anything delivered to my house. Go to the PO and sign for anything that is shipped.

One caution - I shipped a fragile gift to my DD by UPS ground - I was informed by UPS that the package was damaged and that it was thrown way - They gave me my cost for the merchandise without a problem, but it was an art print, framed and glazed, and something perhaps would have been salvageable.

I have sent many quilts to my son and his family in Florida......I generally pack each quilt in a plastic bag with and address of delivery and from me. And I usually send either FedEx or UPS as I can track them directly to the house and I can give that info to my kids so that one will be home to intercept. I also insure heavily and request a signature. I, too, use lots of tape. I think it keeps water out.....i.e. rain, snow. Knock on wood.....so far, no problems.......

Okay this is a little different. I shipped my 6 sister in laws quilts one year ( country girls, each living in a different state) And I shipped them in "CHICKEN FEED BAGS" Yep!!
I washed the bags out and dried them throughly. Inserted the quilts with tissue around them. Then stapled and taped it closed really good. Also taped a larger white piece of paper on the front for the address and took it to the Post office. EVERYONE got a kick out of it. When the sisters started receiving thier quilts, they showed not only the quilts but the chicken feed bags they came in on facebook for all to see!!! P.S. these bags are very sturdy and waterproof. My sister in laws were all raised on a farm so it was such a treat!!

I just mailed a bunch about 13 Nicu quilts across the country. I hope it gets there.
My dh just mailed it and didn't add anything extra.

Thank you so much everyone. Was just talking about sending a friend a quilt across the country. Nice to know that a business is cheaper to deliver to. Would have never guessed that. As always I have learned so much from everyone on here.

<3 Mandi <3

The one thing I make sure to do is always put clear packing tape over the address and return address label. That way, should they get wet or damaged the tape protects it. I also, put a card with the address inside the box.

Interesting. I have had such horrible experiences with USPS that I woukd never send anything via USPS. I always use UPS and require a signature.

From the stories here, it sounds much like it is worth asking the recipient which approach works best where they are.

I have a shipping/post office box shop (for 26 years). First, anything over 13 oz. is called priority - not special. Second, there is no such thing as 2 day mail. Ask the post office when you send it 'priority' and they will tell you they will attempt to deliver in 2 days. There is no guarantee and it can take from 2 days to 2 weeks. If you must send it USPS, please add something - delivery confirmation, return receipt, insurance, something to give you additional tracking info. I only send things UPS ground or FedEx ground. If you do it online or go to a smaller independent shop, it is fairly close to the USPS price for several pounds and you get a tracking number, $100 insurance and a date certain for delivery. This helps for you to notify the person on other end as to the exact date for delivery. I always lay a plastic bag on the bottom of the box to prevent moisture sucking thru and put a note with the to and from address inside the box. Reminder, you do not need to use a new box, reuse one you have as long as the label is visible on top. My customers bring me all their boxes and peanuts so that I can recycle them for customers and not have to charge for them - helps out everyone. If something does happen, UPS and FedEx are wonderful with their claim process, USPS can take months if they do honor the claim. Sorry if this sounds like bashing, I know the USPS does deliver a tremendous amount of mail, it is just when there is a problem, they can be very difficult.