How old is too old ?
#1
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?
#2
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.
#3
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
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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.
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.
#4
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.
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.
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts
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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.
#6
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.
#7
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW Iowa
Posts: 32,855
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.
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.
#10
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.
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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