cha-cha-cha-changes
I was just 22 years old when we moved to Los Angeles for my husband to attend law school at UCLA. Look at those kids! Both of our children were born here and we have really loved calling LA our home. But it is time to move on to new adventures.
I know that's not a huge change geographically, but it's a pretty big change for us. I haven't given away too many details because we were (and still are) waiting for some details to be ironed out before the job is official. There is a chance things could all fall apart, but we are making a leap of faith and just hoping that it all works out. If for some reason the details cannot be taken care of, um, I don't know what we will do, but we both feel like our time in LA is over.
So now I do need some advice. I started quilting in our current apartment and have never had to move my supplies. I am going to keep my most beloved sewing machine with me so that I can get it cleaned (and make sure it doesn't melt or get destroyed), but the rest of our belongings will be going into storage for at least a month. I have no idea what to do with my cutting mat and my longer rulers that don't really fit in boxes. Any suggestions?
The Cannon garage.
ReplyDeleteYou could store them between mattresses or attach them to the top of a table using that plastic wrap on a roll that is used for packing (you can find it at staples).
ReplyDeleteAlso when you get settled, feel free to join us at the San Diego Modern Quilt Guild. We meet the second Sunday each month at Quilt in a Day in San Marcos 11am to 4pm.
I second the table idea! Whatever you do, keep that mat flat - they can bend out of shape in extreme heat!! I mean, they won't suddenly shrivel up, but if you rolled it, for example, and it got warm in the storage....well, it might not lie flat so well anymore. Good luck!! We're possibly considering a move here, too, so I feel you!!
ReplyDeleteSan Diego - exciting! I hope everything works out for the move. I don't have any advice for storing your stuff, but it's definitely worth thinking about. The idea of wrapping onto your table sounds like a good one to me.
ReplyDeleteI took my cutting mat on holiday with me last summer (obviously!) and it got pretty hot on the parcel tray in the back of my car. I was a bit worried about it warping but I lay it down flat on some cool tiles while it was still warm and it flattened out just fine.
Here are some of the things I did for our recent moved that got my sewing things through safely: packed my thread in a plastic box so they wouldn't roll loose, packed my large (24x36) cutting mat, xl rulers, etc on the top of a big picture frame--then wrapped all in cardboard and that stretchy wrap stuff (from amazon--definite must for moving!). All my fabric was already in plastic bins, but I recombined it, and then in the boxes that weren't full I added other sewing notions, etc. I packed my smaller rulers between a piles of fabric for safe moving. For my machine, I removed the needle and put the foot down. If I think of anything else I'll let you know!
ReplyDeleteI use the 15" or 18" professional plastic food wrap from Sams Club or Costco for wrapping things...cheaper and pretty much the same as that plastic moving wrap stuff. And not nearly as sticky, so you can even wrap little things, like your thread spools, without worries.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! I hope everything works out for you and your family. I have been packed up and moved a lot during my Air Force Career. My large flat items they usually put in between large flattened cardboard boxes and tape it closed(kind of like an art portfolio). If one box is not big enough just tape two together. This is cheap and works perfectly to keep all my stuff from bending.
ReplyDeleteWe grabbed great free moving boxes off of Craigslist, a couple of them happened to be for large framed pictures, which, uh, we don't have much of :) they worked perfectly for my cutting mat and actually came in very handy for odds and ends, I highly recommend them!
ReplyDeleteI shipped a long ruler once and it broke. So don't do that. LOL Good luck with the move.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you have any large suitcases you will be filling and putting into storage. I suppose the mat won't fit, but the rulers will. Good luck! Great place to move to. I would love to make that move.
ReplyDeleteI have no new ideas but I really love the idea of "Dexterfying" your mat and large rulers on a table top. Just make certain no sharp knives are close by ; / .....another nod to dear Dexter. I mean really, those mats and rulers have been witness to serial fabric slashing. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking you might go to a quilt shop and ask them for the box the mats come in and pack your mat and rulers in that.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best Erica. Sorry, have no advice as far as moving quilting supplies because I too have never moved since starting up this hobby!
ReplyDeleteSan Diego is a great place - a city I love - (spent many years there). Packing is never fun & it sounds like you have many great suggestions already for safely storing and moving your sewing supplies. Hope your little one loves her new school as much as she was loving her LA one.
ReplyDeletekeep your rulers as well as your mat flat. the rulers can distort as well. I've had it happen.
ReplyDeleteOh, Erica, I hope everything works out with this move! I've spent many a vacation in San Diego over the years, and I'm sure you're going to love it!
ReplyDeleteIf you are packing any framed artwork, they would slide into those boxes just fine.
ReplyDeleteNooooooo! We had a holiday there a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it. Can still remember Coronado Cupcakery!!
ReplyDeleteJust make sure your cutting mat doesn't get too hot and leave it one something flat as many others have commented. Mine got left in a car one time and it warped the board and it had wrinkles in it. Good luck with your move!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if they still do, but bankers boxes used to come in a box of six or so. They were quite tall and slender. I always said they were good for pictures and mirrors. I hope you do get to move to San Diego! I live in Imperial Beach. We are the "Most Southwesterly City in the Continental United States." Small and nice, just the way I like it. Except for the heat right now, of course. But we may still be cooler than LA! I was born and raised in and around San Diego, and have lived her 53 of my 66 years.
ReplyDeletexo Linda