Let's Talk Shipping

Before we talk shipping, I want to share another Happy Block finish.  

Just so we have a pretty quilt to look at.

This is happy quilt #65 and it is all about dogs.  My friend Audrey helped me with this one.  She isn't a quilter, but she loves to lay out the blocks on the floor.  I think she did a great job!

On the back are some fun paw print and fun dog prints.  This quilt measures 48 x 56".

Now we can talk shipping...

I don't pretend to know all the ins and outs about shipping.  But I do receive lots of packages. And I see lots of freight charges that I would like to help you minimize.

1. Freight charges are usually first determined by the size of the package and then by the weight.  So try to ship using envelopes if you can.    Reuse some of those plastic or tyvex envelopes you receive in the mail.  If you are using a box, find one that is the exact size you need.  Just squoosh everything in there.  If you need to cut down the box a bit, do so.  Just use lots of tape to make it secure.

2.  If you are worried about wrinkling your blocks, I can always press them.  If you want, give them a spritz of starch and fold them.  If you stack your blocks up and then fold them as one, there are not going to be as many creases.  Also, rather than a zip lock bag, you can use clingwrap (please don't go crazy) to package it up with.  It will keep the water out and the blocks contained really well.

3. Save yourself time (and maybe some costs) by buying your postage on-line.  I like to use USPS Priority Service so things can be tracked.  I also like that I can use their packaging material (boxes and envelopes).  I have an account with them, and I think the freight is a bit cheaper than if I stand in line and buy the postage at the post office.  I can have them pick the package up at my door or just drop it off at the post office.  There is usually a place to skip the line and just drop it off.  

I have also been told about PirateShip.com for cheaper shipping rates.  I know a few of you already use this site.  You can compare USPS and UPS on the same screen.  Some of you may find one freight company is cheaper from your location.  I have not used this site but I did go check it out and it looks pretty easy to use.

4.  If you ship often and are worried about packages arriving safely, you might want to see if USPS Informed Delivery is available in your area.  Once you sign up, every day, you will receive an email with a photo of (almost) every piece of mail you are receiving and a list of packages arriving that day.  You can also click through the email to your account and see the status of your outgoing packages.  You will know if I received our package.

I use informed delivery every day.  I can see when one of you take a package to your post office with my address on it.  It shows up on my list.  It also shows up when you buy a label on-line.  I can then watch its location as it travels my way.  It is not always accurate but it is a pretty cool tool.

5.  Fill the box!  If you are sending a box, feel free to send off unwanted thread, orphan blocks, unloved fabric, project leftovers (scraps), and unused bindings.  Usually these added bits don't add anything to the cost of the freight but I can use them to make even more donation quilts.

So that is all I have. Hopefully there are some ideas to make your freight a little cheaper.  If you have anything else to add, leave a comment.

Thanks so much!

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