Old sewing thread
08-23-2013, 02:39 PM
#11
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Join Date: Jan 2009
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Sometimes it is just the outer layers of thread, the ones exposed to years of light and temperature stresses, that fail the 'tug test'. If your first test fails, unwind a few layers and try it again. You may be surprised. I have solid and strong thread on spools that date back to WWII.
08-23-2013, 02:53 PM
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
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Ditto what ckcowl said, I got some thread that is on wooden and the foam spools and I'm using it. I also got it at an estate sale. I washed the thread while it was still on the spools. I put them in a small plastic basket and put that into a plastic dish pan. Swished them around a bit the bottom of the basket had holes so they were easy to rinse. That's been a few months and I'm using the thread. none so far have shirred or split. The colors are vibrant. I used just a tad of Woolite.
08-23-2013, 03:55 PM
#13
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Join Date: Feb 2012
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Originally Posted by SewinSue
I went to an estate auction today and picked up an old sewing stand. It has several spools of thread inside. I assume that wooden spools would no longer have useabe thread on them. I would further assume that thread on sterofoam spools would no longer be useable. Is this correct? Now I would like to know how to tell if regular plastic spools contains useable thread. Just because it is on plastic spools probably does not mean it is good, fresh strong thread I also assume. So how can I tell before I put it on my machine ??? That Ks in advance for your help. Sue
Like many of the other posters have said, I have many spools of thread on the wooden and Styrofoam spools. I check each roll of thread to see how easy it breaks, my mom taught me how to do that, and if it's good, I use it.
I don't condemn all wooden or Styrofoam spools of thread just because they are old(er).
Joe
08-23-2013, 06:20 PM
#14
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Alturas, CA
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I have lots of old thread on wooden spools and have never had a problem with sewing with them. If you take a piece and try to break it and it doesn't, then I would say go ahead and use them. The older thread was a lot less lintier than most the new stuff.
08-23-2013, 10:28 PM
#15
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: England Alton Towers
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I handle e with old thread where I can do a tug test as I re thread a needle. I love some of the colours with old threads especially the mucky type. I haven't used on a ,a hine because they are dusty and get a build up of fluff which breaks the thread as I machine. And is so annoying.
08-24-2013, 03:10 AM
#17
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 8,814
Not correct at all! I regularly purchase thread at estate sales. Tug on it. If it breaks right off, it's no good. If it is firm, you can sew with it. Although I do purchase thread for many of my sewing needs, why pay $4 a spool when I can get a huge bag full for $5?
08-24-2013, 04:24 AM
#20
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Western Arkansas
Posts: 627
Originally Posted by ckcowl
never simply 'assume' I've used thread that my mom bought in an estate sale 20 years ago that is still just fine- do a strength 'tug-test' to see if the thread is still strong- or if it breaks easily when you hold a strand of it between your two hands & give it a tug. I've had brand new thread that was- *garbage* and old thread that was wonderful- wood. plastic, cardboard- what ever does not have a lot to do with it- the way it was stored, where, and the thread itself will determine if it is still good or not.
ditto for me. I'm using some that came from ebay as vintage thread , works fine. I had to take off a couple of layers of thread because of dust. Underneath , beautiful.
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