My Gram recently decided she was too old to quilt and sew anymore. (She's ONLY in her 70's and some of you spritely ladies could give her a "Haha!" for that thought!) So, she cleared out all of her supplies and passed them onto my daughters and I, her only quilting/sewing descendants. This greatly increased my supply of tools and notions but also THREAD! Trouble is, most of these spools are old. A lot of the thread is rayon, mercerized or even silk. How old is too old for these types of threads? They're all so pretty and I just don't want to pass them on. There were also 3 bags of tiny paper bobbin type spools and I'm not sure what they were used for. Help! Please!

I would get a cool glass jar with a lid and put the fun wooden spools in it as a display. The rayons should be fine, I'm thinking, but I really don't know. Are the varigated ones silk or what? Ya know, if you are worried about the strength of the thread, you can use it for thread painting on a wallhanging where the stitches don't have to stand up to the stress of constant washing.

Here's a fun idea for some of the wooden spools

http://www.sillypearl.com/2011/05/cr...den-spool.html

Those variegated threads are so pretty. Test them and see if they're weak. I bet they're fine. You won't need thread for a while! ;)

You can test the thread by taking some and wrapping around your hands and pulling. If it is strong enough to kind of cut into your hands before it breaks, it is strong enough to use. You have a treasure trove there! If it can't be used for machine sewing, it can be used for hand sewing. The little cardboard bobbin spools are perfect for hand applique and great for take along projects. The spools that are wooden would look nice in a clear glass decorative jar for your sewing room. I am sure board members will give you lots of ideas.

Someone just may hit you if you throw out the wooden spools, they are hard to come by and are a collectors item, as well as very useful in many crafts etc.

The thread, do a break test on them, if it breaks easily then it is rotten and the actual thread can be disposed of,

the bobbins are just that, prewound bobbins, yet again check the quality, they should have a size stamped on them to tell what machines they will fit.

The bobbins with the papery looking sides are probably prewound bobbins---meaning she bought the bobbins already wound and ready to be used.

Are you selling these items?

Those variegated threads look beautiful.

Chris

Use it. if you are unsure about it do a test seam and pull on it the seam if it wholes up use. if not pitch it.

Can I buy them from you? Please????? :roll: :roll:

Wow, jackpot!!! I'd test the thread by giving it a pull. If its still strong, use if not repurpose.