Old Thread / Estate Sale Finds.....OK or Avoid?
 

Just wondering if thread gets "old"?
What are your thoughts of the baggies of thread that I
see at most of the Estate sales that I go to?
Most looks fairly old, but I was wondering if anybody can tell me if it is okay to
use in quilting; or should one avoid it like the plague?
Thanks for any info. :)

I can only speak from personal experience. I just completed an applique top that had 84 different fabrics, and I wanted to match fabric/thread. I had a really old spool of the exact color I needed. It was hard to work with. It kept breaking, and was hard to thread because it separated when cut. I did use it, but made sure I was using a "good" piece of thread. Hope it doesn't come back to haunt me. I did throw it out after I was done though!

I personally avoid old thread and fabric. But people say you can use old thread if it passes the snap test - hold about a foot's length in your hands and pull your hands apart quickly. If the thread snaps, toss it.

I often use older threads but like Peckish suggested I do a snap test and if I have any issues at all I take it out and move on. But then again, I was using a vintage machine that could use just about anything. The modern machine I use now is fussier, I'm figuring it's time to pass on my vintage threads.

Thread does get old, especially cotton thread will dry out. But I do the snap test and if it holds up there, then I use Sewer's Aid on it. It helps restore it. I go thru white, off-white, and beige thread quite a bit, but my other colors not so much since I don't sew clothes anymore. Most of the other colors are for mending.

You run into the problems of dried out thread, excess lint, and dust with old spools. Like Tartan, I like the look of wood spools (empty or full) as decoration, but wouldn't use the thread I bought with my SInger 15-91 at an estate sale.

I echo the advice given. Keep those pretty spools with their "clothes" on!

I bought about 100 spools from an estate. Paid $8.00. Almost all my sewing is donation quilts, I found most of my purchase to be alright.

using old threads
 

agree with the snap test and also with using thread on wooden spools as decorator items in a glass jar. However, if you have old thread on plastic spools and want to make use of it, unroll it from the spool and keep it in a baggie until you get the amount/colors you want, then sandwich them between layers of wash-away stabilizer to make decorative thread lace - sample photo attached - then use the lace to decorate bags, clothes, etc, or stitch to background as in photo as wall hanging. As shown in the picture, add other items of interest if desired - this one contains hexagons from an old, unusable GFG made by my own grandmother, some feathers, bits of vintage tatted lace, beads (added after adding it to background), silk ribbons, etc.

I use old thread if it passes the snap test. I have used thread on old wooden spools as well as thread on plastic spools. I haven't noticed any more lint with the vintage thread than what I see in my bobbin area after using other cotton threads. Thread can dry rot or get light struck and it can also mildew. In the case of mildewed thread, you'll smell it. I throw that out. In the case of dry rot or light struck- I often find that the top layers of thread on the spool don't pass the snap test, but there is often good, useable thread underneath the top layer. That said, I use the vintage threads in art quilts, rather than in quilts that will be used and washed often.

Some of the thread I've used has been on spools that I guesstimate to be in the range of 80 to 100 years old. Just depends on how it was stored and quality to begin with.

Rob

Thanks for all the info......I appreciate it!
Have a great week all!

Snap test does it for me. I have thread I have had for 50 years and it is still good. I keep my thread in a spool chest so it isn’t light damaged. I love my old wooden spools.

I've never used old thread although I've bought some for the pretty wooden spools. I have them in an apothecary jar.
I don't think I've ever used them so I can't say anything about that.

Someone just "passed along" a big bag of old cones of thread to me. They are dirty on the outside but I planned to unwind that part and use the clean inside thread if it passes the snap test.

She also gave me a bucket full of white fine crochet cotton, like used for making bedspreads and tablecloths... or I suppose tatting. Have no idea what to do with that.

I use my own old threads with no problems.

I use old thread for basting.

OK, this may scandalize some of you. but here it is. I had some cones of serger thread that got dirty. I dusted them off, and used them just as they were. Yes, the tension discs in my serger may get dirty from using it, but it sits around without a cover and has done for years, with no ill effects noticed. Granted its a Bernette 43D and fairly ancient, but it still works. I figure that any serging I do isn't decorative, it's either inside a seam or on the edge of a rag or chore towel that's only going to be used for icky things I don't want to use a nice towel on. Also, hey! It's going to get washed when I wash the thing I used it on, so it will be clean then!

Incidentally, the serger didn't even seem to notice at all.

I also do this; however, I also purchase empty wooden spools for display or crafts.

I often tell students first learning to sew that if they were given their grandmother's stuff, the machine is probably great (just get it serviced) but the thread should probably be thrown out. 100% cotton thread can be a problem when it gets very old and especially if stored in the attic or garage for years. Poly covered will outlast the cockroaches! The bigger question is do you want to risk all that work for the cost of a spool of new thread?

I think we all have our own idea of how old is old when it comes to thread. It is easy to say if it is on a wooden spool it is old. But what about the Mettler thread I bought 30 years ago?

As already mentioned heat, humidity levels and more can be more detrimental to thread life than the years since it was made.

Me? When I was making clothes for my kids and knew they were going to outgrow it within a season, I did not worry at all about the age of the thread I was using.

I have one wooden spool of silk thread that was my grandmother's. It was old when she died 37 years ago. The blue just shimmers and I love that little spool of thread.

I sew clothes and there are lots of places ot use thread of questionable quality. Tailor Tacks, basting, hems, finishing seam allowances (no stress on the thread, unlikely to break).