Quilt Prep: Mailing Your Quilt

You’ve done it! You’ve completed the top, found a backing, read over the prep instructions, completed the order form, and are now ready to get your quilt to TCQ. Woot, woot!! Below are our recommendations for packing up and sending your quilt. Please know we are not terribly picky and do not want anyone to feel these are hard and fast rules. This is simply a guide that customers may find helpful as they start the packing process.

Gather the following things:

• Quilt Top

• Backing

• Batting (if sending your own)

• Binding fabric (if you are utilizing this service)

• Completed Order Form

• Plastic bag(s)

• Box

• Tape

My favorite customers are the ones that give their quilt top one last press and then let it cool before folding it up for shipping. Don’t worry about creases that result from being packed, these are inevitable and we handle those daily.

If the backing or quilt top are directional in a way that isn’t obvious, take a moment to safety pin a note to indicate tops or bottoms if there is any chance we might not notice or be able to tell.

Fold the items separately and tuck them inside of a plastic bag that can be sealed. Non fragrant garbage bags work if tied or taped off. If a large enough bag cannot be found to fit everything, pack items individually in smaller sealable bags. The outer packaging can take quite a beating but between the flexibility of fabric and a sealed plastic bag, your quilt should still be safe. 

Tuck all of the items in the box. Be sure to include the order form!! The best balance is if they are not crammed but don’t have room to slide around. Feel free to add extra packing materials if necessary. While this scenario is best, don’t let the lack of the perfect box keep you from getting your quilt to us! USPS has free boxes that are usually great sizes if you intend to use their services. Whatever box you use, tape it up securely, but maybe not so securely that I have to use a chainsaw to open it.

Head to the service provider of choice and mail it! At TCQ we do not have a preferred service provider for incoming quilts. Whatever is easiest and most comfortable for you is the best route to go. It’s tough for us to give advice on who to use as the variables are pretty extensive. Insurance, speed, pricing, packing materials, original location… all of these might play a part in your decision. Truly, whatever is easiest and most convenient is usually the way to go.

The day your quilt arrives we will pull it into the studio, though it might take us a few business days to open it and get in touch to let you know it has arrived. If you are ever worried, have questions, or just want to check in do not hesitate to reach out. We never want you to be worried about the safety of your quilt and while I have the best of intentions, I have been know to be slow to be in touch.

Thanks so much for going through all of this to get your quilt to us - we so appreciate the opportunity to work on your beautiful quilts!!
-Lilo