How Old Is TOO Old?
 

Howdy y'all :)

I have TONS of thread! Some I bought new, some was given to me, some was from estate sales, and some came from old machines I bought that had a spool or three left in them. All of the ones I bought at estate sales had been kept in plastic containers with tight fitting lids.

So does thread have a "shelf life"? If so...how do you know when it's too old to use? I've pretty much assumed that anything on a wooden spool is for "decorative purposes only", but what about the rest? Any ideas or advice?

Donna

I wouldn't use anything on a wooden spool or the old Dual duty polyfoam spools. If it looks old, it probably shouldn't be used.

I just took a bunch of thread spools & cones I got from an estate sale to Goodwill for someone else to treasure. I also mailed a bunch to a board member who I shipped scraps to.

I will not use older thread. I trust thread that I buy and know how it has been stored, but that is me.

I use the old thread for basting hexies. It will be removed when the hexies are all joined together. I don't use old thread for sewing.

I give old thread the "break" test and then use it, never had any problems, this doesn't include the "el cheapo" thread, that I take off the spool and put in a box with other threads, clippings of threads, etc., to one day make "thread" bowls.

Good idea. Never would have thought of it myself.
And I agree, only use new thread. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well.

Pocoellie, what are "thread" bowls??

Donna

i actually prefer the older thread - it often times is stronger than today's dual duty.....

I've used a lot of old thread with no problems. I test them (pull to see if it breaks of snaps easily) and even pretty old thread seems to hold up well. I just finished using orange thread from my teenage years to stitch my GD's pumpkin Hallowe'en costume as it was the only orange I had and a brand new spool although forty years old! If I'm concerned that it isn't strong enough, I use it for basting.