#1piecemaker

I read in my manual that if I had problems with thread breakage, it could be that my thread had dried out. It stated that you can put your thread in the freezer and it will rehydrate it and make it strong again and you will have less breakage. Have any of you ever put your thread in the freezer? If so, what kind of results have you had with it afterward? Did it help?

nativetexan

no but i have spritzed mine with water before. moisture is supposed to help. i also use some liquid thread helper at times.

kristakz

Never tried it, but I was just given that suggestion by my long arm dealer last week, when I complained about thread breakage. Haven't tried it yet.

franc36

I have never put thread in my freezer; but I put embroidery thread in the refrigerator overnight. My embroidery thread is 8 years old and certain colors tend to break easily. Putting the thread in the refrigerator has worked for me. I have not had trouble with my quilting or sewing thread so have never refrigerated them.

Peckish

Okay, three things I want to say here.

1. I have a very experienced friend who was having trouble with a thread that was constantly breaking. She finally called the thread manufacturer who instructed her to place the thread in the freezer overnight. She did and it worked great after that. Nobody knows why.

2. Freezers do not rehydrate anything, especially if they are "frost free" - they do the opposite! A frost free freezer removes moisture from the air inside the freezer. This prevents it from collecting on surfaces inside the freezer and turning into frost. It also removes moisture from your food, which is the cause of freezer burn.

3. Sharon Schamber will actually dip a cone of thread into white mineral oil, let it drain on a paper towel, then use it in her machine. She agrees with the point that sometimes thread gets dried out and needs to be re-moisturized. This topic has been discussed on this board before, and there will be nay-sayers who will refuse to try this because they're afraid of getting oil on the quilt. I've never seen any oil spots on any of the award-winning quilts that Sharon makes.

My point is it can't hurt to try. Try the thread in the freezer; if it works, great! Try the oil on the thread, and if you're nervous about oil stains, then put some of the thread on a bobbin, oil it, and try it out on scraps.

Lori S

I am baffled that putting thread in the freezer is effective for the long term. I get that freezing helps to redistribute the moisture already in the thread. But that is only working with the moisture avaiable ... so how is this good for getting the moisture level back to when it was purchased?!! This doesn't seem like all that good of a solution for longterm life of the thread in a quilt.

Joy.lynn

"3. Sharon Schamber will actually dip a cone of thread into white mineral oil, let it drain on a paper towel, then use it in her machine. She agrees with the point that sometimes thread gets dried out and needs to be re-moisturized. This topic has been discussed on this board before, and there will be nay-sayers who will refuse to try this because they're afraid of getting oil on the quilt. I've never seen any oil spots on any of the award-winning quilts that Sharon makes."

Does anyone know if "white" mineral oil is the same as "clear" mineral oil? I have never seen the white stuff.

Peckish

I believe they call it "white" because it is clear, as opposed to having a yellowish or brownish tint. Your best bet is to look for "pharmaceutical" grade mineral oil, which is a higher grade than food grade mineral oil, and is required to be free of all impurities. Some food grade mineral oils have lubricants and anti-wear additives, because they're approved for use on food processing machines.

DOTTYMO

Okay, it has just taken me five minutes to be able to type a reply.my iPad keys were frozen!,,,
I was going to say I put a drop of thread oil on needle tip and in my bobbin, around a and on thread and finally a few drops on my thread and massage in gently and leave to make a drink before sewing. Never had trouble in any way.

#1piecemaker

I'm supposing that after a quilt is made that normal washing keeps the thread the way it is supposed to be. But, if a quilt or any fabric is not stored right, it can dry rot.