Originally Posted by
ghostrider
I use the thread on wooden spools...have tons of them. Unwind the outer layer, see if you can break the thread by pulling it, and if it doesn't break it's as good as any new thread to use. Most of mine are from the 60's and 70's when I was into sewing full swing, but some (my mother's) date back to the 40's. All of it remains strong and I see no reason not to use it.
i don't worry about the 'rotten' factor anyway, i just toss these all in a basket and use them for basting...comes right out when you're done...and when the spools are empty, they move into my lamp. I bought a lamp kit from a hardware store. i attached the kit to a gallon size pickle jar. All my wooden spools are inside and I enjoy the lamp in my sewing room every day.
And the paper bobbins? they're still sold today... usually referred to as 'pre-wound,' and many pros use them in longarms or industrial machines...just faster not to have to wind bobbins...