NEEDLEGNOME -- moving from Tampa to Rochester, NY!! Don't you know that there is snow and cold, cold weather up there? We spent four years in Phoenix before moving to St. Louis. I hate he weather here. We are iced in today. Anyhow that wasn't the question, was it?

Yes, I would pack my stash myself. How large is your precious cargo. Could you fit it into one or two of those large Rubbermaid type containers?

How about those large clear plastic bags for sweaters or blankets that you can compress the air out and hide under your bed?

Garbage bags came to me first. Don't go this route unless you put everything into baggies first. The big black bags have some kind of a chemical coating.

Would you consider shipping via UPS?

MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION -- Have you checked out if there are independent cross stitch stores in your new area?

Do you really want to move up here with us in the snow and cold? Hate to tell you but Rochester is in the heart of the New York snow belt. LOL How big is your stash? I would do like NancyE G says and consider mailing it UPS or FedEx. I went to the International quilt Show in Houston a couple of years ago and mailed home all of my supplies I purchased and it was so nice that I didn't to figure out how to get them on the plane home. I would definately pack them in plastic boxes and not cardboard. If you have a real large stash you may have to cross your fingers and send it with the movers. I would do that before trying to pack it in a car for a very long trip. Sorry couldn't be more helpful.

I'm in Camden N.y. and Boy have we got snow , and I have been to Rochester durimg Lilac time loved and a nice clean city

NEEDLEGNOME,
DH and I moved about 4 states (heading south) to S.C. and I got the LARGE TUBBERWARE containers that have a "Flip" lock on each end that keeps the lid secured. These containers are built stiff enough so if you lay articles or clothing, other lighter boxes on top of them, they won't collapse. They are also stackable if you have high enough ceilings. DH and I had to rent a U-Haul and were able to stack them and I knew they were locked, safe and DRY for the 12 hour trip.The best price I found them for was at Big Lots. You might want to check out Home Depot and Lowe's as well. For moving my "stash" I had 4 of them. Worked real well. I still use the containers by keeping my stash in them in the closet.
My "snow and ice up to my forehead" days are done. Arthritis was hurting so bad from the cold, wet days, I was having to take meds to ease the pain. No more of that stuff for me!

I like the idea of the compression bags. They looked good on TV. That would really save on space. I think they are clear which is nice. not so much labeling there.
I packed my stash when I got divorced and sold the house. All goodies are in storage. ( I am looking at a place tomorrow, please have good thoughts and prayers for me in my continuing quest for a home).

I found that those cloth grocery bags I can hold my 6 plastic boxes of floss perfectly stacked.
I used a roll under the bed container for the stitchable items: bibs, towels, fabric rolls, folded fabric, accessories which had a very good seal. My patterns, books and magazines are in" paper" boxes that were lined with garbage bags. I know you are dealing with distance. I was dealing with time and weather. The movers were great, but then again, I followed them and had everything marked. Also checked the truck before they left. My brother was in the Navy and my SIL use to tell me things that would bother her during their moves. I tried to learn from her experiences. Lordy, military wifes are strong women!

Gnome, has the family lived North before? If not, it's a new experience for the kids, & you all. I was just mentioning ice skating to jerseycrafter. Moving in Spring should be nice.

needlenome,
At one point in time, my husband was transferred to Toledo, Ohio. We were there almost five years. When we moved back, I had the same dilemma. I didn't trust the movers. I was doing needlepoint, hooked rugs, knitted & crocheted crib covers for babies. So I had quite a collection. I am with Bermuda on this one. I used several large plastic containers with locking lids that we could put in the car. They stacked, worked great. Best of luck to you on your move.
My husband has a cousin in Naples, Florida. He wants us to move in the worst way. Three years ago we spent the month of February there. Oh boy....I did not want to leave! It is 74 degrees each day. When we came home it was rainy and cloudy for three stinking weeks!!

NEEDLEGNOME. I can't imagine a move FROM Florida to Rochester, NY. Growing up outside of Buffalo and living for 40+ years in Syracuse was enough for us. With two sons living in the Northwest, we sold the house and moved our "stash" and ourselves from Syracuse NY to the Seattle area in the Fall of 2012. One idea I used was looking up moving and packing ideas on the web which were VERY helpful, indeed. We hired a moving van and packed most of our items ourselves, including a huge CD collection (over 6,000) packed in moving boxes (size `small') using small bubble wrap on the bottom and top of each box full. Every item arrived in perfect shape, thanks to tips via websites and the moving company. Also, with the help of the American Automobile Association and their trip-tics, my husband and I drove across the country (with two cats) in the span of 5 days. They had routes all marked and a list of places to stay (that included pets), price ranges and restaurant listings. The complete move and trip went smoothly. One tip is to make sure that someone is available to be "on site" or near by, just in case the movers arrive early and can call someone. This was the case with us and thank goodness we had both sons on-call. All the best on your move..MusicStitcher.

Theres no hurricanes in Rochester.

xstitcher -- you should have called me. I would have been delighted to store your stash for you ---hee -hee- hee.

Can't help myself -- I have a little mean streak in me.