Old sewing thread
 

I went to an estate auction today and picked up an old sewing stand. It has several spools of thread inside. I assume that wooden spools would no longer have useabe thread on them. I would further assume that thread on sterofoam spools would no longer be useable. Is this correct? Now I would like to know how to tell if regular plastic spools contains useable thread. Just because it is on plastic spools probably does not mean it is good, fresh strong thread I also assume. So how can I tell before I put it on my machine ??? That Ks in advance for your help. Sue

Are you familiar with Tamari balls - the old thread could be used for these lovely pieces of art. http://www.temari.com, http://www.japanesetemari.com

never simply 'assume' I've used thread that my mom bought in an estate sale 20 years ago that is still just fine- do a strength 'tug-test' to see if the thread is still strong- or if it breaks easily when you hold a strand of it between your two hands & give it a tug. I've had brand new thread that was- *garbage* and old thread that was wonderful- wood. plastic, cardboard- what ever does not have a lot to do with it- the way it was stored, where, and the thread itself will determine if it is still good or not.

I've used thread from wooden spools that I knew had to be years and years old that was perfectly fine and also have bought supposedly new "fresh" thread that was useless.
As stated before, test it and see. You might be pleasantly surprised.

I'm still using some on both types of spools and it's still strong and sews well!!!

I can only echo what the others have said! I am using some of my Mother's thread. She died in 2003 and the thread was bought in bulk long before that!

Okay, I am 66 years old and just starting quilting 2 1/2 years ago. I inherited my grandmother's 1937 Singer which I use weekly. Along with that I got her sewing kit and my mother just past away in January and I got her machine and her sewing kit. Both of them have well over 60-70 wooden spools of thread. I do the tug test and if it holds, I use that thread. I think some of that thread is better than the thread today. It is 100% cotton and I think I have every shade imaginable. Oh, yes, I do buy modern thread but before I do, I check my stash from my mother and grandmother. Thank you, ladies!!!!!

I have a lot of thread I bought in the 70s and maybe before. It is all still good and I use a lot of it for piecing. Seems just fine to me.

I agree just because thread has a little age on it does not automatically make it bad. I use the tug test to see if it breaks easily, if it does it goes off to the side for hand basting that doesn't require strong thread, like basting for English paper piecing. Just finished using up a spool of my mother's thread that was priced at thirty-one cents for a small spool so we know how old it was and had no problems with it.