Moving a sewing machine from one home to another can really stress you out because you just know how fragile those expensive units can be.
Antique sewing machines look and feel indestructible but unfortunately, that’s rarely the case – they are usually rather heavy and the metal they are made of often becomes brittle with time – more breakable than you think.
Modern sewing machines are usually made of hard plastic and are highly susceptible to damage too if you don’t protect them well enough for transit.
Unfortunately, the respective carry cases of the machines – especially those vintage wooden cases – are not much help either. Most carry cases are designed to keep a sewing machine upright and can be, in fact, more fragile than the machines they should protect.
Naturally, you’ll want your valuable sewing machine to survive the move perfectly intact. And to make sure that happens, you’re going to need to know the best way to pack a sewing machine for moving.
Step 1. Prepare the packing materials
First of all, you won’t be able to protect your sewing machine without proper packing supplies, so your number one priority is to get hold of such protective materials before you pack up your Singer, Pfaff, Brother, Juki, Janome, Bernina, or whatever brand of sewing machine you own.
- Moving boxes. You’re going to need a couple of sturdy cardboard boxes to pack your sewing machine for a move: ONE that’s roughly 4 inches larger than the machine itself, and TWO – a larger box in which the first container will be nested. That packing technique is known as double boxing.
- Bubble wrap. Prepare plenty of bubble wrap because that protective material will be the guarantee that your sewing machine will stay undamaged during the move. Get medium to large bubble wrap, and whenever possible, opt for the biodegradable type as well.
- Stretch wrap. You’ll only need Saran wrap if you’re moving your sewing machine inside its own carry case.
- Styrofoam. Have pieces of Styrofoam which you will use to protect the most fragile parts of the machine before you wrap the entire unit in bubble wrap.
- Packing peanuts. Make sure you get the eco-friendly type of packing peanuts, the ones made from biodegradable corn starch.
- Packing tape.
Read also: How to pack with bubble wrap
Step 2. Remove any detachable elements
Remove all components from the sewing machine that are not directly attached to it, then wrap them carefully in bubble wrap and place them in a separate box. Such detachable elements include but are not limited to the power cord, presser foot, mounts, holders, and any other attachments that the model of your sewing machine has come with.
Keep small (fastening) elements into Ziploc bags to avoid misplacing or losing them during the chaotic move.
Step 3. Secure the machine onto the base
The next step is to secure the sewing machine onto its base. This is a critical step that, if skipped, could result in some sort of transportation damage.
Check that your sewing machine is on its hinges and that the screws of the hinge set are tight. Also, check the hinges themselves – they should be bolted and tightened properly.
Finally, if there’s a clip that keeps the base pressed down, then makes sure it’s both locked and tightened as it should be.
Before you continue with the steps to packing a sewing machine for a move, you need to be sure that the machine is well secured to its built-in mounts.
Step 4. Protect any problematic areas
Look for any potential problem areas of the machine and protect them using pieces of Styrofoam that you can cut up to any size or form.
Often, the bobbin winder will be at risk of damage, so if it can be removed safely, do so and pack it separately in another accessories box. If not, then tuck it in as close to the body of the machine as possible, then place a Styrofoam piece over it and secure it with tape.
Position custom-sized Styrofoam pieces over all super-fragile areas of the machine, then secure those protective parts with tape.
Step 5. Wrap the sewing machine in bubble wrap
Regardless of whether you’ll be moving your sewing machine inside its own carry case or not, the next thing you have to do is wrap the entire machine in bubble wrap.
Wrap the arm of the sewing machine completely in several layers of bubble wrap. The idea is to create a thick cushion of bubble wrap that will provide an excellent level of protection for the entire machine. Work slowly, securing well each layer as you.
When packing your sewing machine into its case first, you’ll have to be careful how much bubble wrap you add because you’ll want the protected machine to be able to fit inside the case lid. If you do make the bundle too thick, then you may have to force the case lid over the wrapped-up machine, which is risky, so use just enough to fill the case lid completely.
When packing your sewing machine without a case, then you can afford to add more bubble wrap but the resulted bundle still needs to fit into the first cardboard box.
When you’re done with the arm, get one final layer of bubble wrap over the entire sewing machine, including its base. Make it a tight bundle, then secure it with tape.
Step 6. Prepare the carry case
When you’re moving a sewing machine inside a wooden case, then you’ll have to add sufficient padding inside that case too. This is very important!
The additional packing materials inside the carry case will serve two purposes at once – they will keep the machine secured in place on its mounts and will also eliminate any possibility of damage to the wooden case and the machine at the same time.
Add a sheet of bubble wrap along the inside area of the case. Don’t bother with crumpled-up newspaper as it can’t possibly provide the level of cushioning you need to keep your sewing machine safe during the move.
Place the case over the machine, secure it, then wrap it up in stretch wrap to lessen the pressure on the hinges. Finally, wrap the entire case with the sewing machine inside in a large sheet of bubble wrap and secure it with tape.
See also: How to pack fragile items for moving
Step 7. Pack the sewing machine into the first box
Cover with bottom of the first moving box with packing peanuts to create a soft cushioning layer. Then, place the protected sewing machine – either inside its wooden case or bubble-wrapped on its own – inside the cardboard box.
Insert packing peanuts on all sides, then add more over the top of the machine until the inner box is full. Finally, tape up the first box.
To test how well you’ve done your job, pick up the box and shake it slightly – can you feel any movement inside? If yes, then open up the box and add more peanuts to immobilize the bundled-up sewing machine. If no, then you’re ready for the final step – double boxing!
Warning: Do NOT pack any loose items in the same box where the sewing machine is packed. You may think that placing something under the base of the machine is a good space-saving idea, but it’s not – damage to the sewing machine is very likely to occur if you pack anything else in the same moving container with it.
Good to know: How to pack boxes for moving
Step 8. Pack the first box into the second box
Double boxing is an excellent way to make sure your sewing machine arrives safely in the new home. The trick is all about using two layers of peanuts – an inner one and an outer one, thus allowing your fragile object to be “swimming” in a sea of packing peanuts without actually shifting inside.
In fact, any external forces – like dropping the box on the ground – will be effectively absorbed and will not reach your delicate sewing machine.
So, do the same thing you did with the first box – cover the bottom of the outer box with peanuts, place the first box inside it, then top it off with the soft packing material. If there’s enough space on the top, you can add the sewing machine accessories (foot control, power supply, attachments, etc.) that you have packed well in bubble wrap beforehand. If not, just add some more peanuts, close the lid, and tape it shut.
If you happen to own a truly valuable sewing machine, then do consider moving it in your own car… but not before you’ve packed it as described above. If that’s not possible, then you’ll need to find a good moving company that will handle your fragile item with the utmost care.
Use our Moving Cost Calculator to get in touch with the best movers in your area.
