How old is old?
05-04-2011, 10:08 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 227
I really love this board, read it everyday and learn something everyday. I never thought about thread getting old!! How old is old? 1 yr?, 5yrs? 10 yrs? Should all thread on wooden spools be thrown out? If it is considered too old to use in a machine could you still use it for hand sewing or is it even too rotten for this? Does some thread rot faster than others? I have my mother's stash of thread and a retired Home Ec teacher gave me bushels of thread. Thanks for any advice.
05-04-2011, 10:13 PM
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Posts: 142
I don't know how old is too old. But I have found that my older thread (say 5 yrs or older) seems to break frequently in my machine. Don't know if the cotton just breaks down after awhile or what. Interested in hearing an expert opinion.
05-05-2011, 01:15 AM
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
some threads loose their strength faster than others it seems- but if it was stored and taken care of well it can last a long-long time. do a strength test on a spool if it does not break easily by just giving it a tug it should be ok- if it breaks in the machine it could still be used for basting or other hand work- unless it really breaks easily.
i had a whole bunch of maxi-lock thread from my mom- some of which i did not feel was still usable-
i donated the whole lot to the local scout troop---they were thrilled to get it!
before just throwing wooden spools out i would make a couple phone calls to see if someone couldn't use it--just hate throwing away when so many organizations would appreciate the donation. groups of kids (and art teachers) get very creative with some of the stuff we just toss in the trash- and with all the budget cuts they look for the help of generous people
i had a whole bunch of maxi-lock thread from my mom- some of which i did not feel was still usable-
i donated the whole lot to the local scout troop---they were thrilled to get it!
before just throwing wooden spools out i would make a couple phone calls to see if someone couldn't use it--just hate throwing away when so many organizations would appreciate the donation. groups of kids (and art teachers) get very creative with some of the stuff we just toss in the trash- and with all the budget cuts they look for the help of generous people
05-05-2011, 02:48 AM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Newfoundland Canada
Posts: 1,695
Originally Posted by Lv2sew2011
Originally Posted by Nanamoms
Going to have to try that freezer thing...but I'll probably forget the thread is in there! LOL
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