I really love this board, read it everyday and learn something everyday. I never thought about thread getting old!! How old is old? 1 yr?, 5yrs? 10 yrs? Should all thread on wooden spools be thrown out? If it is considered too old to use in a machine could you still use it for hand sewing or is it even too rotten for this? Does some thread rot faster than others? I have my mother's stash of thread and a retired Home Ec teacher gave me bushels of thread. Thanks for any advice.

Does it break easily if u tug on it? If not should be ok.

I don't know how old is too old. But I have found that my older thread (say 5 yrs or older) seems to break frequently in my machine. Don't know if the cotton just breaks down after awhile or what. Interested in hearing an expert opinion.

Someone said on this board once to put all your old thread in a plastic zip lock bag and put in the freezer for 3 months and it will revitalize the thread and it will be good as new. Hope this helps :D

Going to have to try that freezer thing...but I'll probably forget the thread is in there! LOL

LOL that would be something I would do!

some threads loose their strength faster than others it seems- but if it was stored and taken care of well it can last a long-long time. do a strength test on a spool if it does not break easily by just giving it a tug it should be ok- if it breaks in the machine it could still be used for basting or other hand work- unless it really breaks easily.
i had a whole bunch of maxi-lock thread from my mom- some of which i did not feel was still usable-
i donated the whole lot to the local scout troop---they were thrilled to get it!
before just throwing wooden spools out i would make a couple phone calls to see if someone couldn't use it--just hate throwing away when so many organizations would appreciate the donation. groups of kids (and art teachers) get very creative with some of the stuff we just toss in the trash- and with all the budget cuts they look for the help of generous people

:) now if tis works I won't have to buy thread for a long time... :lol:

Very interesting!

And then my husband would call my kids and say, "I think your mother is losing her mind. You'll never guess what I found in the freezer today!!?"

Wooden spools are collectible! Don't throw them out, and don't strip the original cotton off them - Needlework notion collectors will want them to put on thread stands for authenticity.

I too have a collection of older thread. This is the stuff I use for hand basting. I just don't want to risk using it in my machine for piecing. I love looking at the old spools. My grandfather was the foreman in the Spool and Bobbin Company in Walkerton Ontario for 50 years retiring in 1953 and I have some of the spools made from his factory. They are definite keepsakes.

how old is the thread in antique quilts . some are over a hundred years old . was that thread better than what we have today?? I would use the suggestions offer to see if the thread breaks easily an d also use the freezer method. but why waste it. just my opinion. i did use sone polyester thread that was old from the seventies in donation quilts. what about that invisible threads. is it nylon or polyester.

I read somewhere the the newer thread is better because of the longer cotton strands used to make the thread. Considering the amount of money and work put into a quilt, I wouldn't risk using any old thread.

I didn't know this. I learn something new every day here. Thanks!

before just throwing wooden spools out i would make a couple phone calls to see if someone couldn't use it--just hate throwing away when so many organizations would appreciate the donation. groups of kids (and art teachers) get very creative with some of the stuff we just toss in the trash- and with all the budget cuts they look for the help of generous people[/quote]
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Boy, are you right there! My daughter teaches second grade, and from what she told me of what the average teacher spends of their OWN money for supplies horrified me. And for Christmas, she and other teachers choose some of the poorest kids, went out and spent lots of their own money for coats and other clothing they knew the kids needed, and gave it to them "from Santa Claus". No child was told who it came from.
When she visited from Texas and discovered 2 rolls of white newsprint I had, she accepted them with thanks! I had bought them from the newspaper office for 3 and 4 dollars a left over roll. She was delighted to get this almost inexhaustible supply of drawing material.
Anything you have in quantity, do remember to ask school teachers (call the school office) and/or Scout troops and maybe even nursing homes.

Darn, I thought this hadn't been printed so hit the send button again.

It depends on so many factors.

I mark my thread with the date I bought it. I keep it out of dust and light.

I'm using 3 year old thread right now with now problems on my longarm, and I am hand quilting with glazed cotton that's at least 10 years old. Also no prob.

I have threads that i've had for years and years. Just don't let the sun get to them. That goes for your fabric too. I have a window facing the west and the sun rays come through in the evening. I make sure to shut the blinds and curtains at that time, because my material is directly across from the window. Have you ever noticed fabric that sets on display in the store windows? Most will have streaks on them where it has faded. Same with sofa's and bedding in store windows.
Syl

Blacks and dark threads will break down faster then light colors