Moving Overseas

Were military and moving to Germany in Oct. I've been scrambling to finish projects because I don't want to move with pieces or half projects! YAH me lol My question is, is there anything that I need to purchase here that I will regret not moving with? Examples....batting, thread, notions. Batting I'm most concerned about....I use warm and natural 100% cotton, how much am I going to pay? How hard is it to get? I usually use coupns at joanns and never pay full price. Thanks in advance!!!

welcome..QuiltingCrazie.. we have several gals from overseas that I am sure will help you out... glad you stopped in... tell us what you like to quilt...

I like to quilt traditional quilts, funny how i have been making quilts for my kids and husband while teaching my two girls about quilting I havent yet done a project for me. Getting ready to do a mini quilt for my daughter, working with batiks, any advice?

In working with good quality batiks, remember that they are a very tight weave. There is much less "give" in any direction. Don't use them for backing (I had a terrible ordeal on the one high quality backing I used and had to replace needles several times.). Do use new sharp needles. I work with them whenever I can any find them a delight. I have read that they should never be used for hand applique. IMHO, they are perfect for those projects because they tend not to ravel on you as you go and keep their shapes beautifully. Some are also great for lanscaspes because of their color variations.



Sorry, I don't know how I managed to get this into the wrong thread.

You need to PM bizkitea98.....a member here on the forum. She lives in Burgoberbach, Germany and has traveled here to the US, so she knows what is available where and what you should bring with you to save money. Good luck!!! I lived in London for 4 years....it was a great experience and really good for my children!

Hi QuiltingCrazie, I hope when you move you stay with us, we'd love to keep you company on your adventure!

As texasmusicmom said, you need to talk with Bixkitea98, her name is Karin, she lives in Germany and will tell you all about the import taxes, what you can and cant get etc etc. I know some of the european countries really slam high duty taxes onto online quilting supplies that come in. Obviously you have family and friends in the states so if Germany is one of those countries you would be best to order your supplies online and have them sent to someone in the states to post onto you, thereby hopefully avoiding any taxes. As I said, Im not sure if Germany is one of the countries that charges though, I know the UK is terrible for it

Batik, Ive used it for backing and mine worked out beautifully, its soft and supple same as cotton. I know there are different qualities some do seem much stiffer as Marynel said. I love them for applique for the same reason as Marynel, they dont seem to fray!! I have one in progress that is a combination of hand and machine applique and the batiks are working really well.

How old are your girls? I have a grown son (Im gonna stop admitting to that though) and a 7yr old daughter, again, nice to meet you. Oh and please join the fun and enter the book giveaway, it closes in a couple of days, you can find it HERE

Hi QuiltingCrazy,

welcome to QLR - I´m sure you will like the forum and all these wonderful ladies here.

Gimpy send me a message that you are moving to Germany - thats great to hear - do you know what area?

We have a few quiltstores in Germany - some are well selected and others arent - so my LQS (Walmart in the US has a better selection) but they are pretty expensive (average price $ 20 +/- for a bit more than a yrd). I think you will start doing some online shopping Since you are Military I´m sure you will get a APO-address and many US onlineshops will ship to APO without problems or extra s+h for you. I have a regular german address and fabricdepot, Hancocks-paducah, fatquartershop and some more are shipping my orders without problems (just have to pay the oversea shipping) - well since I´m a german citizen - my package might go through customs (still cheaper then buying it here - sad but true).

You mentioned Joanns (I love to shop there while my visits in the US) - you will miss the store here and the deals in general - but you should be able to do online shopping - I just checked in the shipping section, they have AP, AE.... so it should be possible.

Example - Price for warm & natural cotton batting, Queen size at a Germany Onlinestore at the moment $ 50.00 (depends on the exchange-rate)


If you have any further question - please feel free and ask - its a pleasure for me to help.

Thanks so much for all the info, I will keep on here. Without anyone to sew with, you all keep me motivated to do projects...much to my husbands delight, haha.
My girls are 17 and 8. Have three boys as well 14,12 &12. My oldest daughter is staying in the states so trying to leave here with something, she has taken over the project tho which is great for her!!! Thanks for all the info on batiks ....very helpful.
Karin thanks so much I was figureing thats what I was going to find. Were going to K-town maybe its close cause I would love a sewing/quilting partner. I'll be finishing college there so I'll have time to sew and quilt. Were due in the first week of Oct. I will deffinitly go to joanns armed with coupons before we pack out in two weeks then! Thanks!!

Quiltcrazie check this out http://quiltersresort.forumotion.net/t1981-gift-for-new-members

Made it to Germany yesterday very excited....thanks for all the info i did ship batting with our stuff. Brought a quilt with me to finish the hand quilting on. Still a little jet lagged but wanted to send a shout out!!

Its so good to hear from you again, I was wondering about you just the other day. Glad you made it ok, must have been a long trip, hope the jet lag wears off fast and you settle in and enjoy your time there. How long do you expect to be posted there?

Welcome back to the list QC , Hope you settle into your new home happily.

Glad you made the trip without any problems. Keep us informed as to how things are going with you and your family.

Hi. How nice to hear from you again. I am glad your trip went well. Hope you settle in and have a great time there. Maybe you can share some pics of your new home and town with us. Many of us doing our traveling in our arm chairs.

Can't wait to hear more.

So good to hear from you! YAY! I'm with TXQ.....post some pics of Germany for us! We all love to live vicariously thru each other!

I lived in London for four years when my kiddos were little...8mo, 2 and 5 when we moved over there. Tough to learn to live in a different place...at least they "sort of" spoke my language! Good luck!

HI excited to hear about life in Germany....good luck with settling in..

Well be here for 3 years, and definitely when our vehicle gets here and we start exploring I will post some pics!! Staying in an apartment til we find a house ....can't wait although the army has put us up nice in a four bedroom apartment. I have to say I love this site, starting over in a new country with only the internet to communicate right you all are very comforting!! The kids are just loving it here which is awesome! Thanks again!

That is great that the kids like it. Helps make life a bit easier doesn't it? We're happy you found us too.

Have you tasted some of the German cuisine?

Are your kids going to an American school at the base or do they have to learn German? What a challenge!

I only know two words in german, my mum used to say it all the time but Ill leave it at that LOL

We are so glad you found us QC and took the time to say hello, new friends are always a treasure and I think its fun we will get to share your life in Germany with you as you settle in and get around. Cant wait to see photos and hear all about it. Glad you have a nice appt for now and hope you find a nice home to set up in. How long till your car arrives?

Having grown up in a family with all German heritage, I never thought of calling the food "cuisine" My Gram made "Pfferneuse" - - hard as a stone and with black pepper in them and yet called cookies?!? I am very pleased that you joined us, QC, and I send lots of love, caring, gratitude, and support to your family.

They will get bussed to american schools on post, they have been trying to learn german words. Taught them thank you and ake them use it since most taxi, housing keeping and employees are german Our car hit a glitch because we bought a new one a week before we left, I know alot are shaking their heads but it was an older vechile and we were sure it wouldnt pass the german inspection.... s hopefully itll ship next week from there it takes 2-3 weeks. I found a local quilt guild last night, im going to go check it out tomorrow on their chat and sew day. Im hand quilting the quilt i brought with me, hand quilting is really growing on me..

Hi QC...Germany how exciting...I visited several areas in Germany in 2007, beautiful country and I found the people to be friendly. Look forward to hearing about your adventures. Glad to hear everyone is liking their new home. What a wonderful experience for everyone!

Where abouts are you located in Germany?

QC - WELCOME TO GERMANY!!! ]

somehow I missed your post about where you are going to move K-Town is about 2.5 h away from where I live - maybe Katterbach/Illesheim will be known since there are US-bases (well I live close to them).

I´m glad you like it so far and hopefully you will get some more of the beautiful fall we had the last week (really beautiful even for us).