Preparing Framed Needlework for a Move

Hey, y'all! Moving preparations in the Wonderful household are humming along. In my last post I mentioned offering some tips on preparing needlework for a move, and I've finally gotten a post together. Keep in mind, this preparation is for a house-to-house move, and not for long-term storage. (I'm not sure what I'd do differently for long-term storage, and I don't have time to think about it right now!) This is just some basic protection for your needlework because, as much as we'd like, we can't strap it all to our bodies and guard it with our lives! Somebody else will have to handle it, be it movers, or your husband, or his buddy who's helping with the move. I know. Try not to have nightmares.

You need a few simple supplies, available from Amazon.

*large Ziploc bags: The 2 gallon size should hold up to an 8 x 10 framed piece, unless the frame is unusually large. These also come in even larger sizes.

*silica gel packets: These are the little paper packets you find in new purses, storage boxes, etc. They absorb moisture.

*twine, string, yarn... whatever

*acid-free tissue paper

*acid-free foam core: I'm using 1/8" but it doesn't really matter (available at any craft store with a framing department).

Using the framed piece as a template, cut out a piece of foam core that fully covers the front of the frame.

Place a piece of acid-free tissue paper over the stitching.

Place the foam core on top of the tissue. The purpose of the foam core is to shield the stitching from anything pressing against it or into it in case of less-than-careful packing.

Tie it all together. (You don't have to use pink and white baker's twine, but while you're at it, it might as well be cute, right?)

Place the framed piece in a Ziploc bag, pop in a silica gel packet (just in case), and seal the bag. Label it with the name of the piece.

And now your treasured framed needlework is ready to be handled by just about anybody. Even your husband's buddy.

If you're anticipating another move at some point, save everything in each labeled bag (you may have to replace the silica gel packets). Next time you move, you just pull out the bags and all the supplies for each framed piece are ready to go. 

It takes less than 5 minutes to pack up a framed piece, even with cutting foam core, so if you have a lot of framed pieces, don't worry. It doesn't take much time and it's well worth it.