My husband may have a job starting in another state. I just can't wrap my mind around how to pack all my "stuff" from my basement and my studio full of my stash and all my other craft supplies and computer supplies. Have any of you had to do this?? Have any suggestions or tips?
Deb in NC

I used my stash as packing materials for the breakables...fat quarters between plates and bowls, larger pieces around serving dishes, glassware, decorative items, etc....just make sure that the items are clean. This way when you unwrap you can fold each piece of fabric in the way you want it and organize your stash in the new place as you unpack other rooms. I've moved several times and this has worked for me.

Great idea!

I moved from TN to NC 4 years ago. In order to keep most of my stash, I used it to wrap breakables. Place fq's between dishes, wrap glasses with them, then stuff yardage around them so nothing moves and breaks. Fill in around your lamps with yardage, any where you have some space. Wrap pictures and mirrors in yardage. Stuff empty drawers with fabric. It not only saves your stash, you save money on packing supplies.

that is the greatest idea on how to move and pack a stash

agreed!

The suggestions above are great! Whatever you do, do not get rid of your stash! I did and I'm so sorry. At the time, I was more into cross stitch than quilting. I've spent a bundle builing up a stash again. Are you using a moving van? Large rubbermaid totes would be helpful. I'd hand carry my machines if possible.

Ugh, I can't imagine using my stash to save my breakables! I would have to re-iron each piece to organize it back in place once we arrived! That's far too much like work for me!!! I moved from N.H. to S.C., just packed it up by color and it was easy to set right back up in my new sewing room! (Didn't have the luxury of a sewing room back home, wow what a treat it has been!)

I'm still in the process of moving from Iowa to Ne and my sewing room was one of the first things to go. I took the chance to organize and categorize everything! Clear totes help me see where most everything is.

Not only using stash to wrap breakables but your linens also... towels and sheets... We moved 30 times in 23 years... I learned the hard way DON"T use the bubble wrap for your fragile and breakables. It doesn't give under weight pressure or mishandling by movers... The one time I used it, i lose over 1/2 of my collectible trinkets and several pieces of my dishes. Picture glass and frames were also broken...
Yes, use the plastic totes (13 gal. is is best for moving and storage) .... Books use the small totes... You won't believe how heavy books are when put in the 13 gal. size.

after moving every couple of years in my childhood, I would really suggest using some of your stash as filler in boxes. this will help save money. and get those totes that you can see through. And make sure that they are the last thing on the truck with your machine and cleaning supplies And kitchen pans plates and glasses and silverware. Also Make sure that you label all your boxes with the items in the boxes and what room they are to go into in BIG letters. If you don't want to take your stash, I know a ton of women on here who would be willing to take it off of your hands for shipping costs. hehe. Me being one of them. hehe just had to add that in.

I love the idea of using your stash to wrap breakables. Great idea.

Smart girl.
One of my best tips is...use large garbage cans with wheels and lids to pack fabric in. Doesn't get dirty, you know exactly where it is and you roll it wherever you need it.

I used large see-through plastic bins the hardware stores sell to pack stash during a major remodel. The uniform size stacked well plus held a lot. I labeled each one & this clued me in on what to unpack first. Hope all goes well with your move. Good news is no matter where you go, the quilting board will be there too.

From a long ago military wife..and brothers and son, whatever you do, do NOT EVER pack up jewelry or anything extremely valuable to you. Carry it with you in inside pockets or a back pack.

One brother lost a lot of his wife's jewelry, a lot of it antique diamonds, my son lost a lot of his stuff including his water bed and his Boy Scout Eagle badges and other things in that trunk, but would up with an unexpected sofa bed that is real pretty.

Movers all over the country have had bad press, last one I heard bad things of was called something like hungry students?

It's just too bad, but nowadays you can't seem to trust anyone at all. One suggestion that I make for all my family and friends, is to stand outside the house and take very close videos of each of the movers and of all the furniture, especially expensive pieces as they are taken into the van or trucks. Then be there to take more pictures as they are being unloaded, since I've heard some of them are reloaded onto other trucks during their trip. Don't understand why but I'm told it happens.

Thanks everybody, those are wonderful ideas. Keep um coming :) Deb in NC

What a great idea. I wish I had thought of that when I moved 4 months ago.... I still can't find all my material and books. If I unpacked material with dishes I would have had to put it away immediately!

Ramona - Sounds like a good idea to make a video record to prove what you have going in and coming out the other end.

You also have to think that this would be a good time to unload the stuff that you'll never use again.....you know what I'm talking about....ugly fabric....stuff that isn't 100% cotton if that's what you quilt with now....those notions that seemed like good ideas at the time you bought them. I used to sew clothing and when I started quilting the stash moved on top of the other fabric. It was good to cull some of the deadbeat fabric out so the rest could shine.

Its a chore. We moved from Arizona to Pa. 2 years ago. I used stash to wrap items needed to have some cushion. Hope all works out for you.

Whatever you do; take your stash! I disposed of years and years of other things, but hauled almost all of my stash from WA state to Missouri! I don't regret it one little bit. The move was a big one for me and it is so nice to have my sewing supplies and fabs here to keep me occupied! The best of luck to you!

When I got married last year and moved into my husband's house, I swear that the packing boxes with all my "quilt" stuff, and the roll of batting, tables and sewing machines, took up half the moving van.I had it packed in boxes, bags and totes, and still had bolts wrapped in plastic. The guys on the truck laughed, and asked my DH if he knew what he was getting into.

wow you guys are all so smart! we are moving in june from ohio to washington state and i was wondering how to reduce weight on the moving charges using my fab for packing is an awesome idea since it all sits in the kitchen anyways. i love you guys.

When we moved from Alaska to WA state I tried to pack alot of my stash in big plastic tubs. I taped them shut too since sometimes those lids can loosen and open. I do wish I had color sorted better when I packed. Now I still haven't done that! Right now I have a disaster in my sewing room. I could spend 2 weeks in it sorting and re-organizing fabrics!

Thats what I did when I moved 6 mos. ago! Then when you unpack, you can look at all the fabric you may of forgot about!

I'm not so sure about minimizing any weight using fabric to pack with - it does get heavy - but the whole load will take up less volume if one uses it for "packing material"

As far as wrinkling goes - I always iron/press my fabric immediately before cutting it anyway - and if placed/wrapped smoothly around the items, it shouldn't rumple too badly.

I've never moved so I don't know the answer - are the moving charges by weight and distance - or by weight, volume, and distance?

Great above idea! Thankfully I have never had to move.

I am in the process of moving now. I used blankets to pack some breakables I have My good machine is going in the car with me along with some other special stuff. I am glad I don't have to pack dishes and things . Got rid of all those when I moved in with my daughter. My fabric was all in baskets so they were just unloaded into totes to move. All my little things are in rolling drawers they are staying and just being taped shut. But then I am not being moved by a moving company. Friends are combining moving me with their truck and a rented trailer with a vacation when they get to VA. Still trying to figure out how to pack my cutting boards and my design wall and my peg boards.

These are some great ideas.

We've been in this house for almost 30 years, so I can't even imagine packing everything up to move. If we did move, I know a lot of "stuff" would have to go. Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing!

I put my stash in rubbermade totes - had 12 of them. Since I already had it sorted on the shelves in old sewing room, I put a piece of masking tape with what was in each tote - color, fabric content. Was easy to get to when it was in storage and I was living in another house until mine was built.

I've used my stash as packing material. But a warning if your husband or someone else is doing the unpacking when you are not around be sure they are told not to throw away the packing! I once came very close to losing my stash, still can't believe my dear husband, trying to be helpful, didn't realize what it was. Or maybe he did-LOL

All the suggestions given have been very good, but one thing hasn't been mentioned: Space Bags! Those bags you suck the air out with your vacuum cleaner. They can then be put in boxes -- saves lots of space.

If you can, take some things you will need right away with you. Things like cleaning supplies, potty paper, a couple of mugs for drinks, paper plates and plastic cutlery. Also paper towels, and soap.

When a friend moved she had 96 packing boxes from her studio. You can pack breakables in fabric, fat quarter between plates, etc. That way you can label the box "kitchen" and no one ever knows its mostly fabric. grin

Believe me, I don't envy you. I just moved from WV to NC. Most of my things were in storage in Fl. Went there to pick up my stuff and moved it to NC. I have been staying with my mom fore the last year in WV so I had accumulated a bit. The movers took care of that. Now I sit in my Living room with bins of my stash and thank goodness I have a fairly large closet to store some of my quilt stash. The rest, I don't know yet. I know I will be donating some of the fabric to be used for clothing. As for using my stash to cushion my breakables; I just use towels and wash cloths, along with white packing paper. But that is just me. Glad the move is over. As soon as I can get unpacked, I can get back to my Christmas projects. I have missed sewing.

I just moved from Oregon to Wyoming and packed it all myself.
Fortunately, my 'quilt room' is very organized so I packed it as stored. I labeled each box as FQ's, kits, closet, and such. Every box had a big 'Q' on it and so it was delivered to the correct room when removed from the truck. The unpacking went well and my whole place was entirely put away, ( no boxes) in 1 1/2 weeks , and this is while working. My suggestion is organization, patience, don't mix rooms or stuff, and take one box at a time. Good luck.

I am in the process of moving from Az. to Mn. I am doing the packing and using ABF, you load and unload yourself. I sold most of my furniture so have mostly boxes. I used wardrobe boxes to back most of my sewing room and have 6 wardrobes, 4 totes and a few boxes from the sewing room. The machines and TV's go with me. I have used towels, rugs and quilts for packing. When they unload next Friday, I know the men are going to give me remarks about all the boxes that say "Sewing".

I would use totes and label them as to just what was n them. It will be easy to put away that way.

I had to pack up all of it (of course there was less then than now) when we had some water damage and my Family room was torn apart and then put back together. I put it all in clear 66qt rubbermaid tubs. I sorted all by color and type. They were all neatly folded to about the same size that would word in my new cabinetry. The tubs were heavy but I liked seeing what was in the tub and then when we put it all in my new cabinets, they were already sorted.