A friend gave me spools and spools of thread, most are 100% polyester. Some spools have the orginal plastic wrap on them, but the spools are about 20 years old.

question: How old is too old for thread?
Does thread become too old for use. I'm new to quilting
and sewing and I don't want to use them in project and suddenly it falls apart after washing.

Thx for the help

Shirley

Pull on it and if it breaks give it to the cat to play with. :-)

Unless stored in damp and sunlight poly thread will last a hundred years.

Marsye -- don't give thread to the cat!! Hope you're joking. If they swallow it, it can get twisted in their innards and require surgery. Whew.... okay, panic attack is over. :-)

I have a stash of polyester fabric from the sixties & seventies when I used to make my own clothes. I do believe that if they drop the BIG ONE, only cockroaches and polyester will survive! Oh yeh, I should mention that I cringe when I happen to come across that poly stash -- it was the wonder fabric of its day but now-a-days I wonder what to do with it! Yes, I am a pack rat.

My theory is that if it breaks while quilting, then it's no good. Otherwise, if it can hold up to going up and down in the needle XX times before making a completed stitch, then it will hold up in a quilt. And I also do pull on it to make sure it's still strong and test the strength (you can compare it to a new spool like this, and know for certain how strong it is).

had to laugh when i read your reply. Polyester will last forever. I made a quilt of big poly squares, put a thin batting, . It was my first quilt, i knew nothing of binding, so i tied it, then turned all the edges in 1/4" and hand whipped it shut, it will last forever and so toasty warm, Did i mention ugly LOL

Buy one of those lamps you can fill with things and fill with the spools of thread, some buttons and wind an old tape measure thru it. It's a great use for old thread you don't want to use but don't really want to throw out either.

Thanks for the laugh! UGLY in big letters!

Poly is indestructible. Pull on it and if it doesn't break you can use it.

I have some that old, still works fine.