Originally Posted by QM
It's not a good idea, but my very frugal mother did it. BTW, I don't even try to unwind them, I take an exacto knife to the whole mess.
I was taught to be very frugal with thread. My mother was of the Depression generation, raised by a mother who was the sole support of the family, (with a disabled husband). "Extra" thread was put aside for hand sewing. I buy most of my thread on large cones. Adjusting for inflation, my thread is much cheaper than theirs.
Remember, torn shirts became rags, or rugs. even very small scraps of fabric became quilts. don't judge these people harshly.
a friend told me once that her mother had one needle to sew for their family throughout the entire WWII. No one was allowed to touch the needle. She hand made clothes for the family as well as mended with that needle. I think of that when I look at the assortment I have.
Anne was a beautiful seamstress making her own business suits and blouses after working all day. I asked her if her mother taught her to sew as a child. That is when she told me this story.