Does thread deteriorate?
 

A friend whose parents ran a draper's shop has just given me several boxes of old threads - many of them on wooden spools! There's a mix of cotton and synthetic spools. Is it likely to be OK to use, or does it deteriorate with age?

Simply do a tug test to see if it's okay.ive used plenty of threads that were 20-30 years old and just fine, I've had thread that was brand new be ( bad). It depends on lots of things. Yes, thread can deteriorate.it all depends on how it was stored, humidity, quality in the first place...
take a piece 12" or so long, wrap it between your two hands & give it a tug- if it doesn't easily break it is fine. I test every spool of thread, new or old before using. I hate starting a project and dealing with frequent breakage because it is not strong enough. I've had new, expensive thread wind up being unusable ( which I returned) and old thread work great.

I went to an estate sale last year and purchased a large gallon Ziploc bag of thread. Some had been used and some not (plastic cover still on). I do the strand test with every spool before use. So far no problems. I save the those "silica" packets that come with medicine bottles. Some spools are still in the bags. I toss the little silica packets in those bags for a little safeguarding for the used spools.

A friend gave me a lot of thread on wooden spools, and, after testing it, I use it. I have never had a problem using it. However, the testing is important because thread, just like fabric, could have been stored in such a way as to degrade it.
Be careful.

Thanks for these replies. Good news! If it's OK I'll never have to buy navy or black again!

Cotton thread does weaken & fade over time. Proper storage (kept in containers, away from UV light) does help. Typically I've been taught that you can start to get minor issues with cotton thread around the 20 year mark. Wooden spools are very likely older than that & every professional I've heard has recommended using them as decoration. In addition to the tug test, I would maybe try a sample sandwich to make sure it can handle the rigors of being run through your machine. If the thread seems to be in pretty good shape to you, the one suggestion I would add is to apply some thread conditioner to it before you start sewing. I like Sewer's Aid. You can buy it at JAF, HL or just about anywhere.

Well, maybe. Cotton thread is subject to dry rot. Also, the process used to dye the darkest colors (such as navy and black) are the most caustic and hardest on the thread. Polyester is not subject to dry rot and I think the color issue is not there for it either.

If the cotton thread was stored in boxes, then it's more likely to be fine. Cardboard boxes allow the thread to "breathe". Storage in plastic is bad for thread because it traps moisture in the thread. Moisture is very damaging to thread and fabric over time.

Where you live can make a difference. If you live in a humid climate, it is more likely that older thread will be damaged. If you live in a dry climate, thread can last a lot longer.

Google "dry rot in thread" for more info. Dry rot is actually a fungi that thrives in damp conditions. It weakens thread and the fibers in fabric.

Old cotton thread is more likely to break under the upper machine tension than when used on the bobbin. If it does not break when filling the bobbin, I go ahead and use it there.

Dry rot is a scary prospect! These threads have been in cardboard boxes in a dry environment, though of course the UK climate is pretty humid. Something to think about..

I have spools of my grandmother thread and I never use it. Thread made back in the 40s and 50s wasn't that good and I am careful with what thread I put on my Bernina.

I have a large stash of vintage and antique thread. Some of it is probably close to 100 years old. I use thread from it regularly in both my needle and bobbin and have no problems as long as it passes the tug test. Also, sometimes the outer layer of thread on a spool will have been weakened by exposure to sun, but if you pull that off, there will be good thread underneath. You may need to lower your top tension some but maybe not. Depends on the thread.

I do not use any of my antique or vintage threads for quilts that will be used as quilts but I do use them extensively in quilts that will be used for wall hangings. I've successfully used the decorative stitches on my machines as well as FMQ'd with them and gotten really nice effects.

Rob

Some off the older thread is thick like dental floss! Yikes! I bought a 1974 Kenmore and the thread that was in the bobbin was thick enough to sew saddles haha!

think about it this way. fabric is made of threads. Just like cotton will breakdown over time so will thread. Iuse alot of old threads, they are still good. I love threads on wooden spools.

Okay, when I first starting to quilt 6 years ago, I was at a garage sale and the lady had 3 boxes of large wooden spools of mercerized cotton thread. There was 20 spools in each box and all colors. She told me she had stored them in here basement. No odors in them. They were $5.00 a box so I bought them. Well when I got them home, I tried to see how easily the thread broke. Immediately!!!!! Well, I sat back and thought a moment and then I took one spool and started unwinding the thread, snapped it, broke, kept going and all of the sudden I reached a point where the thread did NOT break. So, I sat watching TV in the evening with the hubby for the next couple of weeks and I think about a third of each spool had deteriorated but then I would hit the spot where it was strong and I couldn't break it. I have enough colors and thread to last quite a while. I store it in plastic boxes and it is protected from moisture! Just letting you know my experience.

guess I'm spoiled with all the beautiful threads out there now cause my old threads on wooden spools are used for decoration only--connects me to my Mom and G-mas!

Thankyou - good to know that. I'll definitely be testing before use!

I was using an old thread of a friends and her machine kept breaking the thread . A tuck test was done on it and it snapped. We threw it away. I would say it depends on how the thread was stored. So do a snap test.

I think this is one of those myths that keeps getting told . Think about quilts that are 100 + years old...it isn't the thread that deteriorates first..it's the fabric(usually from the dyes they used)..
I bought a huge lot of wooden spools with all colors of thread, and I use it to piece with. I've had no problems. Even new thread will rot if kept in damp and moist conditions.

I would test it and if it is still good, I would store it in my freezer. I have stored extra thread there and it will keep the cotton thread from drying out and also protect the color. If there is thread that you would not use, it will be great for basting either quilts of any other items. Have fun.

I have used thread with no problems that I bought 40 years ago.

Too low humidity can also be an enemy to thread. I know a long armer who knows when the humidity is too low in her studio because that's when she starts having thread breaks.

Cari

I was told some years ago, if you put cotton thread in a ziplock baggie with a spritz of water and place it in the freezer for a week or two, it will be good as new, The cotton thread dries out over time, and rehydrating it brings back the strength.

I have done this for years, and am using cotton thread that is over 30 years old (from my grandmother) without any problems.

Try it, you don't have any thing lost if it doesn't work, and a lot to gain if it does.

Mldesatnik

My cousin who is a quilter told me when I started out that the old thread not suitable for machine stitching (the ones that bread easily) are okay to hand baste with.

A lot of very good advice here. Thank you everyone.

I use my older thread on two older machines (FW and 1958Singer 401A. They have never balked at the thread, but I won't use it on my Viking computerized machine.

My only thought is if thread rots, why is there so many quilts that have been made 75-100 years ago still intact??

it depends on how the quilts are stored.