I've moved too many times, and each time I just boxed up everything and marked the boxes so that everything was organized when I got to the new place. It's hecktic enough getting settled in a new place, so if all my stuff was together, I could find it all right away.

But I agree with Ramona Byrd, take jewelry with you. My cars were always packed with my really valuables, and medications. But start with a reliable mover!

Even reliable movers can't always read. I found boxes marked kitchen in the bedroom, living room in the bedroom, etc. You have to watch them otherwise you'll have boxes in the wrong places even though you marked them correctly.

I remember that when we moved (DH was 20 years in Navy) the packers would put all of our rubbermaid tubs in boxes too. I guess they had to box everything. I also remember that if there was a "space" in a box, they would wander all over the house looking for something to fill that space. Very frustrating when unpacking to have miscellaneous items not where they belonged!!!

Plastic bins from Lowes or Walmart! I packed everything but furniture in them last move. And they store inside each other in the garage for future uses.

they can even be used for other things - I use a bunch of them for recycling

I moved from NM to TN and thought Id move light so I sold everything except the machines. Now Im moving from TN to NC in December and Im taking everything! So the best advice I can offer is KEEP IT ALL. Its a bigger headache replacing all that stuff then it is moving it.
When I moved MIL out of her house I put everything into rubbermaid boxes and not a thing got broken plus when you move into a new house you have so many storage totes!

I just moved from S.D. to Minnesota and I had most of my fabric in stackable bins. I just left them in there and they just picked up the bins and stacked them in the truck. My books and patterns I packed in a box. As soon as they arrive here, I will just restack them in my new area. I did carry my sewing machine with us in the car, as have a Brother 4000 and worth many many dollars.

I would get rid of my clothes and furniture before I would my stash. LOL DH knows.

I moved across the state about ten years ago and I had twentysix boxes of fabrics and tools. Just mark your contents on each box as to type or color, etc. My biggest problem was that my SIL had arranged nine guys to unload the van and they stacked all my stuff in the sewing room before I got to take up the carpet and installing the tile I had brought with me. It still is carpeted.

I am in the process of moving too. We close on our house Oct 29, and the new house Nov. 1st. Most of my sewing room is done. But I had purchased totes to put fabric in. Just incase it gets put in storage and we have water problems or something, that is why I bought the totes. As I was packing, I did the organizing by color or if it was a collection for fabrics for a future quilt. I also wrapped fabrics around coreboard to help my future quilting room be more organized. see some of the previous posts about organizing qultingrooms that some of the others have posted. Everyone here is such a great help to us. Thanks.

After moving from NY to FL in 2004 we had a terrible time unpacking the craftroom. This time we did not move as far, only 5 miles but we did pack my stash around everything breakable and it made life easier.

And don't forget the foot pedal

sheepishly raises hand, you'd have thought I learn the first time, but no I did it a second as well.

Egg crates from the grocery store are also good, as are orange boxes. And liquor boxes.

I stuffed as much as I could in the bed above the cab of the RV and had to pack up the rest to store. Fortunately all the kids stayed behind and I was able to get my Son store it for me so I didn't have to loose it.

Packing gives you a chance to review UFO's. Consider putting a dozen of these together in one "do it or dump it" crate. Before starting any more new projects at your new house, work on these. Or for each month do one or dump one! I did this when I moved (years ago), and wish I could be as good at clearing out UFO'S as I was that first year!

I'd invest in a bunch of clear plastic containers. Keep the size around 20 gallons. Any bigger gets pretty heavy. Sort as you have stuff stashed, so your system is the same in the containers as in your present storage room. The clear lets you see at a glance what is where.

If you're moving to S.W. Indiana------I've got room for a bit more fabric. tee hee

When we moved my mother (56 years in the same house and everything went) we used ABF Moving... We packed, We loaded the moving van... they drove it :D Least expensive and you know how your stuff is packed and loaded. a lot of stress off dh and me.

Folded fabric is fairly dense to begin with. Do the space bags reduce the size a lot? Granted, a king size quilt batt could probably fit in a legal sizad manila envelope, but plain ole fabric doesn't seem like it would reduce in volume much.

we got some large trash cans on sale that had wheels for moving.taped the lids down. i've got my material out but use them still for batting and storing winter blankets. since they are on wheels they easily just roll onto the moving van and room to room.

I've made a couple of moves and I packed my fabric. I bundled my fabric and tied them with fabric strips. When I was done I counted the bundles to make sure they all made it to my destination. The Government moved me and I didn't have confidence in all of my stuff getting to me in a safe manner.

I know what you mean about the packers, when we moved from the west coast, the truck was smoking before they got started and at least I noticed it before they left. So no damage. Dang smokers! Anyway, that was when I noticed they had packed my crystal in with the vacuum. First thing off the truck at our new destination was not my vacuum. We sold our home last summer and we waited for an apartment for two months, so my sewing machines went to my SIL place for safe keeping. The rest went in storage. I did use my stash, what little there is, to pack the breakables. I keep a fair amount of plastic bins in our storage space, just in case we have to move again.

What a great idea!!!

I have moved numerous time, I packed my stash in the kids toy boxes and threw away the toys, hung big pieces of fabric on hangers and put in the clothing hanging boxes. got lots of boxes from Liquor store and egg crates from the grocery store.

I have moved numerous time, I packed my stash in the kids toy boxes and threw away the toys, hung big pieces of fabric on hangers and put in the clothing hanging boxes. got lots of boxes from Liquor store and egg crates from the grocery store.

Using your stash as wrapping material is a great idea. I have always used my linens, towels and such to wrap my breakables but never thought of using my stash. This past move two months ago was our first move with professional movers. I had already had all my cotton stash on boards so they all got packed into a few boxes.

Remember to label each box as to what room it is going into. As to "what" is in the box, not necessarily a great idea. Time before last when I got ready to move put some stuff in my daughter's storage unit - thought I was being real smart by putting "what" was in the box on the outside of the box. The storage unit got broken into and guess what was missing? Yep, the "stuff" that said "CDs/DVDS/Office stuff" - the stuff I couldn't possibly replace without a big expense. Never again will I do that!

Carry your machines and electronics in your car if you have the room; it just gives you a better piece of mind; besides you never know how the movers might handle your stuff once it is "on the truck". We found things had been turned sideways, upside down and what have you for them to pack the truck!

Sending your DH positive thoughts for landing the new job. The market is though everywhere; it is wonderful you have this opportunity.

I have to share this experience as DH said we could not move all my fabric, supplies, etc. Soooo I numbered the boxes 1 to 14 of fabric and supplies marked for the sewing room. Ok so far but that was only 1/2 my stash so I started numbering the boxes again 1-14 marked for various rooms and DH moved all 28 boxes and was never the wiser. I felt a little guilty for the deception but not as bad as I would have felt for leaving 1/2 my stash behind. Good luck on your move.

I would told DH that he was coming when the very last box of stash did. If it and all the rest weren't on the truck, neither was he. :D

I love this one.............now that I am nearly done, course I just tape everything shut, and abrievate "what was inside for me".

Thanks for asking this question. We are also moving across the country. I have moved many times but only once before moved the sewing room. Thanks to all who replied to you. I agree with the person who said wrapping breakables with fabric sounds like way to much work re-pressing. We have always been able to have the moving company pack the breakables and we do the rest. I have a lot more plastic tubs of fabrics than last time and will stuff some extra things in those color boxes that aren't quit full. There were a lot of great ideas and tips though so thanks to all.