Comments on: Tips for Packing & Moving a Sewing Room

By: Shaine Benneth

Shaine Benneth — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 03:14:03 +0000

Thank you, I have just been searching for information about this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I have come upon till now.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 16:41:29 +0000

In reply to Mary. I've not had to worry about mildew in storage as I live in dry climates. But I'd recommend tightly sealed plastic bins not cardboard. The cardboard, being paper, will absorb the moisture and hold it in... even if the contents are in plastic. Long term storage in plastic isn't the best, so be sure to air out and re-fold everything after you can access them again.

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 02:02:38 +0000

I love all these ideals. I will need to store my fabrics here in the great North West for approx. One year in a container while we are building. My big question is how can I keep them from mildew damage. We have lots of rain so lm thinking plastic bags but then in plastic bins too or cardboard? Has anyone experienced this?

By: Mary Thomas

Mary Thomas — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 12:50:16 +0000

Thanks for the help! It requires a lot of work to pack and move a sewing room, but I need to start preparing. I am about to move to a bigger place, so have to get start preparing about it. Greetings

By: Susan bailey

Susan bailey — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 04:36:34 +0000

I would suggest avoiding plastic totes with two-piece lids. I had several neatly stacked on shelves in the basement. Then we had a flash flood coming in the high basement windows! You guessed it, my totes filled with water and mud. Poor terry cloth Tigger, which my mother had made in the early 70s,was such a mess that I had to amputate his tail to remove his stuffing which was too nasty to keep.. He did survive a bath but now needs some reconstructive surgery. No problems, whatsoever with plastic totes with one-piece lids with a clamp handle gizmo on two opposite sides.

By: Judy

Judy — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 17:58:05 +0000

We moved three years ago. My husband and I each had a “craft room” in the basement, and we’re renting a 3-bedroom house until we can find a place of our own (and I’m still trying to organize my space). Previous commenters have offered most of the useful tips I could have given (that plastic wrap for moving, etc.) but the best advice I can give is label every box. When you move and the boxes are pouring into your new space, it is really helpful to know exactly what is in them so you can quickly direct them to go where they belong. Definitely mark them with something like “bedroom” or “spare room #2” or whatever, because movers really hustle and if you hesitate, they’ll put them almost anywhere (time is money).

Good luck with your move!

By: Cathy T,

Cathy T, — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 05:31:04 +0000

Great suggestions you’ve made; timely for my upcoming move. Thank you
I am now beginning to pack my sewing room; 15′ x 12′ packed to the gills. I absolutely will not have any movers do anything in there; experience of 2 prior moves. It taught me that when the movers know you will be moving things into long-term storage, they pack less carefully, and some things may come up missing. Most companies only give you 30 days to make any claims for loss or damage.
I am considering the ‘PODS’-type units that you pack yourself for long-term storage of any of my sewing & craft items. My brother was a mover for many years and will help me get it done right. The biggest thing from my last move is that I want it to be highly organized when moving into the packing, so easily set-up at the new location.
So far I’ve packed:
1. Thread- Std. spools in the double-sided “Creative Options Thread Organizers” – $12 @ Joann’s, Amazon has them too (also great for Kids HotWheels and matchbox cars). For the embroidery or narrow spools I got the Sulky Slimline boxes – so easy to set open like a book, all the colors at your fingertips, and now organized. I popped these boxes into the cheapest black rolling scrapbook cases from Michaels ~ $20 (holds about 3 thread organizers above). Amazon has similar for $20 – Dbest brand. Ready to roll, but still accessible.
2. Fabric on bolts – I only have ~ 30 partial bolts of flannel (basics) or designer prints I just adore. I bought the corrugated PE plastic 4mm (1/8″ thick) sheets like they make yard signs from, cut mine @ 11″ w x 23-1/2″ tall, then I tape the long edges with heavy packing tape, and wind the fabric on them. I stick a little note on it with yardage as I go. The tape prevents any sharp edges from leaving an imprint on my fabric. I would only do this for 4+ yards uncut. You can get these from Home Depot or local sign shops (they can cut them for you). I bought new cardboard boxes that are 12x12x24 just for this purpose. They will get unloaded into tall bookcases at the next house, by me.
3. Fabric in Plastic totes – most of this is how I store it…so time to go thru it and sell or donate what I don’t love. Much of this may need to go into the PODS.
4. Tools – I got the 12 x 12″ x3” plastic boxes ~$3 (intended for scrapbooking paper), and divided up my tools, trims (bias tape, zippers, etc.), and templates into those and labeled. Four of those fit perfectly into a collapsible rolling cart from the office supply (mine has a hard lid that just sits on top) -cost about $20. Amazon also has these (D’best quick cart w lid). Ready to roll right to my car, and still accessible.
5. Machines – I tried to keep all the orig. boxes and packing for the 2 newer machines I have, but for the vintage I plan to buy basic hard cases ~$20 each through amazon. I was delighted to find my serger in orig. box also fit perfectly into another small rolling office supply cart, so it’s ready to go. Before heading to the store, check your machine or box dimensions carefully.
I like the rolling solutions so much, much of this may just live on wheels at the new house; dust-free.

Thanks so much for your post.

By: K Winter

K Winter — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 18:20:12 +0000

I could have used this advice so badly a couple of months ago! At the moment I’m temporarily basement-camping while I look for the perfect apartment/studio in my new city, and all my fabric and gear is currently in storage. I’ll be coming back to this post when it’s time to unpack and get everything set up and functional again.