Tothill

I think we all have our own idea of how old is old when it comes to thread. It is easy to say if it is on a wooden spool it is old. But what about the Mettler thread I bought 30 years ago?

As already mentioned heat, humidity levels and more can be more detrimental to thread life than the years since it was made.

Me? When I was making clothes for my kids and knew they were going to outgrow it within a season, I did not worry at all about the age of the thread I was using.

I have one wooden spool of silk thread that was my grandmother's. It was old when she died 37 years ago. The blue just shimmers and I love that little spool of thread.

I sew clothes and there are lots of places ot use thread of questionable quality. Tailor Tacks, basting, hems, finishing seam allowances (no stress on the thread, unlikely to break).