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How old is too old ?

How old is too old ?

Old 01-27-2010, 07:55 AM
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I am cleaning up my sewing stuff and found a box of threads, at least 50 spools of Guttermann. Some of it might be 15 years old!! Should I just throw it out, or save it to use? Also, how do you tell if it is cotton or polyester on a bobbin? I used to use poly for clothing sewing, but now all my time is spent on quilting with cotton. I think that my time is worth more than an old spool of thread if it damages my handwork. What do you all think?
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Old 01-27-2010, 08:04 AM
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Break thread from a new spool and then break thread from the older spools. If it has the same strength it's good thread. You can tell ploy from cotton by burning a little. Cotton will turn to dry ash, poly will leave a sticky globby ash.
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Old 01-27-2010, 12:03 PM
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If the thread is dry and brittle (the breaking test should determine this), you can revitalize it by placing it in a plastic bag in the freezer for a couple of months. This restores moisture to the dried-out old thread. Test it again afterwards, of course, to make sure it has become as strong as new thread.

I think the burn test is the only way to determine if thread is cotton or polyester. If you hold a match to the thread, poly should melt into a blob while cotton should turn into ash.
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Old 01-27-2010, 12:42 PM
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you can revitalize it by placing it in a plastic bag in the freezer for a couple of months. This restores moisture to the dried-out old thread.

Wow! I've been sewing and quilting forever, and I did not know you could restore moisture to old thread. Thank you so much for this info.
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Old 01-27-2010, 01:15 PM
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I found some that was bought at a store that went out of business over ten years ago. I wrapped some around my hand and gave a really good firm pull from the spool. Since it did not break, I used it. It was just fine.
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Old 01-27-2010, 01:19 PM
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Wow..I didn't know about the Revitalizing of old thread either, thanks so much Prism99 for that Great Tip, I still say we need a{ Tip } section here on the board so everyone can see and find it easy so all can benefit from them.
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Old 01-30-2010, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Clothfiend
you can revitalize it by placing it in a plastic bag in the freezer for a couple of months. This restores moisture to the dried-out old thread.

Wow! I've been sewing and quilting forever, and I did not know you could restore moisture to old thread. Thank you so much for this info.
This is new info to me. Thanks.
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Old 01-30-2010, 02:58 PM
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I thought keeping things in the freezer would dry it out? I was told not store certain things in the freezer as it would draw out the moisture.
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Old 01-30-2010, 04:51 PM
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just test it by pulling on it.
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Old 01-30-2010, 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Clothfiend
you can revitalize it by placing it in a plastic bag in the freezer for a couple of months. This restores moisture to the dried-out old thread.

Wow! I've been sewing and quilting forever, and I did not know you could restore moisture to old thread. Thank you so much for this info.
I've heard this before. Have you tried it?
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