Is old thread safe to use?
 

I was given some old thread and I am wondering if its safe to use. How can I tell? Not sure at all how old this thread is.. but it is on wooden spools and I have never seen wooden spools

If you give it a sharp tug and it breaks, I would'nt use it. Also, I would be sure it is colorfast by putting some in a little water and allow it to sit overnight. If there is bleeding that occurred, no not use it. Also the fiber content is important to check. I have some old silk thread on wooden spools that I would not part with and use it rarely.

Just try it, if it breaks get rid of it. I have old thread and use it all the time. I have to worry about new thread, 100% cotton, that I buy now.It shreds.

Sometimes even new thread is not usable. Age isn't that much of a factor. My mom bought out a store closing stock of thread back in the end of the 80' s we are still using that thread. Once in a while we find a spool that doesn't pass the { tug test} but most is fine. Give it a tug test, if it passes try it out, if it doesn't break/ shred you are OK. How well a thread ages depends on how its been stored along with its quality in the first place

I would unwind the first layer off and then try for strength.

Thank you all so much for your replies!

Yes, definitely a good idea to remove the first layer before you try the tug test. The first layer is often weaker than what lies underneath and is frequently faded as well. I use wooden spool thread all the time with no ill effects.

I received the wooden spools from my Grandmother when she died and I have never used it.

That's what I have found too.
margee

I use the tug test to differentiate between 50 wt cotton, dual duty, and aurifil 50 all the time. I made the mistake of buying colored bobbins for the Viking, and it can be hard to see with the bobbin color reflecting on the thread. (They are pretty, though!).

Each thread breaks very differently, so I am assuming that the tug test for old thread identifies thread that snaps way more easily than these?

hugs,
Charlotte