I'm new to this Board, saw your posting and had to respond. It depends on your sewing machine as to how long you can use your thread. I have some pretty old thread left from a sewing business I had about 20 years ago. I have a Bernina 200. When I tried to use the thread, the machine told me it was too brittle and lacked the amount of moisture needed to use it in my machine! How about that for a machine talking back?