I know many embroidery needles have larger eyes that are specially square shaped to allow as much room for the thread as possible. They might be the way to go for hand spun threads.

I've read that old thread works poorly in machines because as the cotton sits around it gets brittle, and can snap in a sewing machines harsh treatment. I haven't really had the opportunity to try old-but-not-antique thread in my machines. If it get some 20 year old thread I'll give it a go ;)

... Golden Orb spiders bite...

Came across some information on spinning cotton http://www.newenglandsimpleliving.co...haspinning.htm that I thought might interest you.

Very interesting device, putting it on my list of things to research.

I've decided to wait until the grid goes down and firgure it out then.

I buy BIG cones of poly thread.... and don't sew much I should be good ;-)

Or keep spools of cotton thread individually packed in nitrogen and sealed inside foil-lined bags! It's the oxidation that does most of the damage. :D

Thank you for the link about charkhas. It was very interesting! I've never even heard of them before!

I think most of the hand/home spun thread was used for hand work rather than machine. It would seem to me that it would require a great deal of expertise to spin thread suitable for use in a sewing machine. I certainly would not attempt it!