Okay, now I know I've been having trouble with my machine, but seriously! My dh bought me Gutermann thread when Joann's was doing that big 50% off deal. He bought me some off white color, whatever it was that I asked for, and it unravels and breaks. Not at the needle like you might think, but rather at the little hook at the needle holder. We took it back, because I have other Gutermann thread exactly the same that doesn't do this, but how do I know if it's "old thread"?

Especially if I buy online! Is it something where I could pull of the first 10 or so yards and the rest is protected and fine or what?

My friend gave me a big box of (ugly) scraps. There was also lots of thread. I decided to use up the weird colors in piecing blocks because it seemed to be strong. I haven't had any problem with it. In fact, it's better than wal mart thread! It must be at least 10 years old. I really gave it the stretch/tug test and I've been happy. But I do know that florescent lights weaken fibers. It also fades fabric along the fold, etc. if it isn't rotated very often.

I have thread from my Aunt who was a seamstress in a cleaners and its very old. 20 yrs maybe. It was good quality to start with and kept in a box.
No light. It has held up just fine. I let the grands use it for their projects.

dh told me when he took the thread back the lady said it looked like it had be "wound" wrong. I didn't even think that would have been possible. Oh well live and learn, right?

When he took it back, did you get another? and if so did it work ok????

I don't know how to tell if thread is old but I was told by a sewing machine dealer to put the thread in the freezer for 24 hours and this would "revialize" it. I don't know if this works but I don't think it would hurt it either.

Judy

So today I organized my sewing shelves. I took out mostly used spools to use up, cleaned things according to color, and made things more piecing friendly. I have tons of surger thread on cones that I used when I sewed custom clothing and I don't use it much right now. Hope it doesn't go old!

Thanks ladies, I honestly don't have any idea what the problem with that threat was, and it really puts me in a bind. I didn't get anymore because I was worried that another roll would be the same.

When I first entered into the machine sewing world about two months ago I bought one of those 29 spools or whatever it is sets of different colors, as both of my current quilt projects are "scrappy" I've just been working "close" to whatever block color I'm on, but I've burned through about half the box and the remaining colors are REALLY bright, hence why I was trying to buy a couple of bigger rolls of a neutral color.

In the future I will have to try the freezer trick and see if that helps. My neighbor used to sew more but she seems to have more tips about what not to use, not that I mind it's nice having someone who doesn't mind listening to me talk... LOL, think of me as the dog wanting to chase the cat. I want to I really want to, just tell me which cat! hehe, jk (it must be okay to say that I'm a cat person).