amyjo

I have a lot of thread that is over 20 yr old and it is better than what I have bought now. Do the test, I use mine in piecing and any other sewing I do.

FroggyinTexas

Just tug on it! I've got thread that's more than 50 years old and it's just fine! froggyintexas

CookyIN

I was speaking with the owner of my local Vac and Sew shop yesterday. She's a gem of information on anything dealing with sewing. She said to tuck older cotton threads in the refrigerator to revive them -- said the moisture inside the fridge is just enough to rehydrate and refresh the thread.

mldesatnik

I am 77 years old. Very frugal, but wise enough to not use thread that is questionable. I remember my home economics teacher telling the class that cotton thread "dries out". She said to sprinkle some water on the spool, wrap it air tight (now we would use plastic bags) and store it in the freezer for a week or two. It rehydrates the thread, and it should be good as new. As for polyester threads, I agree with the strength test. If it breaks easily, use it to teach a younger person to sew!

Boston1954

I am with ckcowl. Give it a little pulling test and see. If it was good quality at the time it was made, it could still be usable.

BillieJean

I never knew you can wash it...good to know what some times it can smell funny.
I have problems with smells. Lol

Rose_P

I use old thread like that for practicing FMQ, and I need lots of practice, so that's a money saving use for it. If it passes the tug test I might use it in a quilt, but probably for decorative stitches rather than where it is needed to hold things together. I make quilts that are supposed to see a lot of use and washing. In a wall quilt I wouldn't worry about it, as long as it's good thread that isn't going to lint off and cause problems with the machine. Over the years I have not liked the kind of thread that was sold on styrofoam spools. We live in a humid area where thread keeps better than it might in very dry places.

If I were teaching a youngster to sew, I would not set up potential disappointments such as thread that breaks easily. Not only is it frustrating, but it's not uncommon for people to hang on to their very first something they made, and so this thread my wind up in an item that will be pulled out of a drawer and shown to your student's grandchildren someday!

bobquilt3

They are neat. How beautiful, reminiscent of those elaborate painted Easter eggs. Thanks for sharing.

cricket_iscute

In addition to plain tugging on the thread, try this: unwind the thread and throw away all the thread that was exposed. Taking about six inches of the thread remaining on the spool between your hands, do a sudden, strong tug near your ear. You are listening for a sharp sound of breaking. If you hear that, and the thread is not shredded where you broke it, it should be safe to use. This is mostly for cotton thread, but I would try it on other threads.

I agree with the misting of the thread and putting it in the freezer in a baggie for a couple weeks, or even days.

tenngal

I've used old thread and never had any problems...