shipping sm head

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How I pack a Sewing Machine Head

Here is a beautiful Singer 201 sewing machine head. I want to make sure this head arrives in as beautiful condition as in the image.

I begin the process by cutting a piece of 2" styrofoam the length and width of the head. I add a piece of cardboard to top of styrofoam and sit head on top. CAUTION! Not all sewing machine heads can be packed this way, with the 201 head there are 2 gear pots on the bottom which support the head and prevent any mechanical parts from coming into contact with packing. With some other heads, it maybe necessary to carve a cavity out of the 2" styrofoam to accommodate low hanging mechanisms.

I can't stress enough the importance of NEVER allowing any adhesive tape to come into contact with any part of the sewing machine. Before applying tape be sure to wrap any exposed areas with saran wrap. In this next image you will see how I've wrapped the entire base of head with cardboard to give it some stability for shipping, protection and an excellent pad of support Notice also I have completely wrapped handwheel in saran wrap to prevent any MOVEMENT in transit.

I want to now protect this sewing machine head form any contact with packing material or foreign material so I use plastic shopping bags making sure the printing is on the outside. Wrap the entire head and use clear tape to secure cover.

I don't depend entirely on the 2" styrofoam I applied in the first step to the bottom of head, I also line the bottom of box in a single sheet of 1" styrofoam. I set the head in box and then begin the task of securing it so there will be no movement. You will notice 2 pieces of 2" styrofoam in image which are running directly down beside head and have paper wadding between them and head. These 2 pieces of styrofoam are very IMPORTANT as they are down hard against the sewing bed and when top is on carton, will prevent head from moving vertically, the end styrofoam will of course prevent the head from moving horizontally.

I should also mention it is very important to have styrofoam extend from bottom to top, side to side inside carton walls, sometimes this isn't possible but the more you can do this the stronger and more protection your carton will offer.

With all your stiff styrofoam in place, fill the cavity with foam chips.

Must have ran short of padded envelopes, nevertheless you want to make sure all accessories, attachments and any smalls for sewing machine are in a container or zip lock bag which will prevent them from being dispersed throughout carton. I've also included all shipping documentation INSIDE carton in the event the address on the outside somehow gets removed or destroyed.

The final act before closing the carton up is to provide some top protection. I achieve this by tracing out the cavity and cutting a piece of 1.5" styrofoam and inserting on top. You will notice that this insert is sitting up nearly its full thickness. I do this purposely so when the top of carton is installed it will compress the styro chips even more then I've already done.

Most times, the cartons I use I'm unable to use the flaps to close up top and have to fabricate a top. This is easily done, but remember to try and use a piece of cardboard at least the same thickness as your box.

Lastly, I use generous amounts of both clear shipping tape and fiberglass tape and then I use a very strong caution tape. Please make sure you wrap the carton tight, don't skimp on tape, for all your hard work packing your sewing machine you don't want the carton falling apart half way to its destination.

Notice the shipping information, take no chances making sure it is on the carton in a minimum of 2 spots, this carton has it in 3 places. Write clearly so there is no mistakes in delivery.

I hope I have helped you with packing your next sewing machine.

Please feel free to direct any parties involved in packing a sewing machine to any of these documents in this series.

Thank you
Bob Bannen, former owner of sew2go

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