Old Thread
+51
Recently I also inherited a lot of old thread (I love the wooden spools) but I have heard that old thread isn't as strong as it deteriorates. I'm wondering if this is a concern If I plan on using this thread in some quilts I have promised to complete for my grandmother who passed away a year ago. Attached is a picture of only about half of the thread I have inherited, not including the thread I have been collecting myself.
On the left are mostly empty but have those awesome wooden spools.
On the left are mostly empty but have those awesome wooden spools.
Empty wooden thread spools on the left new and old thread on the right...
33 answers
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DO NOT USE IT AND ESPECIALLY ON QUILTS - BE THEY OLD OR NEW!
Twila Palmatier
on Nov 08, 2013
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I would agree with Twila - making quilts is both time-consuming and expensive, and it would be a shame if they did not 'last' because of the choice of thread.
Valerie
on Nov 09, 2013
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Since you shouldn't use it, make Christmas crafts with them...I am sure Pinterest has ideas :)
Julie Moyna
on Nov 09, 2013
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How old is old? Have you tried testing it? How was it stored? I would not just assume it is not good, but would wind off several yards and test it every so few inches to see if it broke easily!
Jeanette S
on Nov 09, 2013
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I agree with Jeanette. Test before you don't use it. Some older thread survives just fine. I have 30 year old silk thread from my mother-in-law that I still use. Sew (quilt) a swatch to see how the thread holds up. You will know quickly if you should use it or not. Good luck, please post pictures of the quilts that you've finished. I'm sure all of us would enjoy seeing them.
Patti
on Nov 09, 2013
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Thank you all for your input. Some of the thread is not very old, I was thinking more of some of the serger sewing thread when my mom doesn't even have a serger it worked on, and when I see the wooden spools I am a little suspect, but I was thinking exactly what @Patti and @Jeanette S said if I use some of it and it seem safe if it would be ok to use....I like how it looks (the wooden spools and the taller serger thread) so would probably use it as a decoration, but was concerned about using the old thread in something I wanted to last!
Tanya Peterson Felsheim
on Nov 09, 2013
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I think that Jeanette and others have a valid point. I also did not realise that your grandmother had passed away so recently, so I am also going to change my opinion. So long as you are comfortable that the thread is strong enough - I say go for it!
Valerie
on Nov 09, 2013
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It depends on the type of thread it is. Cotton thread will disintegrate over time; however if you have polyester thread, which is an oil byproduct, it will last forever.
Francine Mosuk-Regnier
on Nov 10, 2013
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The wooden spools can be painted to look like little drums to make cute Christmas ornaments.
Karen B
on Nov 10, 2013
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You can do lots of crafting with thread spools, Have you seen the new Mary Jane Farm Magazine? It has a couple of articles on them. Smiles, Cyndi
Cyndi Neumann
on Nov 10, 2013
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I have an old spool labeled black cotton coat thread. It's at least 50 years old, coming from my grandma's house. It's still great and I save it to use for the jobs that need strength like sewing on coat buttons etc. Definitely do some strength testing before discarding. And I love the wooden spools! Crafty Fun can be had with them!
Lynne Sedgewick Lyon
on Nov 10, 2013
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lots nice wood spool for sure but iam with all remarked new thread is best use for bottoms crafts,
Jeanette freeze
on Nov 10, 2013
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I have lots of this thread for sale if anyone is interested
Elaine
on Nov 10, 2013
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all you can do is test the strength.
Kathryn Kibat
on Nov 10, 2013
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I have the same issue,, inherited some old thread on wooden spools. Thanks for sharing!
Tammy McLain
on Nov 10, 2013
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as a quilter I would only use new quilting thread. For other projects it should be fine. I have noticed over time certain threads do lose strength. You put a lot of time in making a quilt so it only makes sense to start with new thread.
Mssmatch
on Nov 10, 2013
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I have often put old thread in a ziptop baggie and placed it in the freezer for storage. This allows the thread to absorb moisture and replace at least some of its lost strength. I probably would not usefor my quilts except as a basting thread. Even after spending time in the freezer, I don't feel it is trustworthy enough for my quilts.
Shirley Heim Davis
on Nov 10, 2013
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old cotton thread should be unwound a few times and discarded, its been exposed to air and light etc, which I've found weakens it. Testing the rest is the way to go. I have lots of it, and they are waiting for me to craft with them, they're beautiful as they are...
Patt Popple
on Nov 10, 2013
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Lucky you! I've heard, but haven't tried this, put old thread in the freezer for a time to revitalize it. Can't hurt to try it. Good luck.
Evelyn McMullen
on Nov 10, 2013
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You have a treasure. The wooden spools make great necklaces if you have girls in the family they can wear aa cute decorated spool for a lost treasure. Check out pinterest for deco ideas. Im so looking for them I need some.
Jody
on Nov 10, 2013
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I too have many old wooden spools of thread and in my use of them, the thread breaks very easily. If you are going to do a project that involves all the effort and time, I would use new thread.
Love Digging in the Dirt
on Nov 10, 2013
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Same here Debra Todd I took have found the old thread to break easy, I second our advice to NOT use it on a project, but I can be used in a sewing room in so many ways as decor.
Debbi W
on Nov 10, 2013
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Make lace with it! If you use netting in between two layers of Solvy water soluble stabilizer, you can sew all kinds of shapes and designs, being sure to have the threads cross over each other. You can do it without the netting, but you would have to definitely do a thread stitched base netting of stitches, and then do your designs. You can also add fabric scraps and cool yarns and specialty threads. I would use the old spools as they are and make garlands for a Christmas tree, if you don't use the threads for lace. I remember seeing spool dolls when I was a kid.
Jean DeSavage
on Nov 10, 2013
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I have my old spools displayed in containers. So pretty, but the thread is weak as others have mentioned. If you really want to use it, try some of the hints mentioned.
Cynthia H
on Nov 10, 2013
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I have a Pinterest board titled "wooden spools" . Lots of ideas!
Patt Popple
on Nov 10, 2013
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Hi, Please email me at e herrington4 @ cogeco.ca. I live in Ontario, Canada. And would like to sell
Elaine
on Nov 10, 2013
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I got the idea from a fellow quilter. I have done it for years now with the old thread, especially the stuff still on wooden spools - which I also love.
Shirley Heim Davis
on Nov 10, 2013
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I recently bought a ring on Etsy fashioned out of a spool of thread. Very nifty.
Sarah
on Nov 10, 2013
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put beeswax on it
Janet Arntz
on Nov 11, 2013
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The old thread tends to break a lot
Mayesathome
on Nov 11, 2013
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Sorry my idea did not show up above. It is to put the thread in a ziptop baggie in the freezer for at least 24 hours, or as long as you want to. this allows the thread to absorb moisture and become a little bit stronger than it was. Jut let it come to room temperature before you use it. I would not use it in a quilting project except as basting thread, though. It still won't be strong enough.
Shirley Heim Davis
on Nov 11, 2013
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One reason for the breakage....today's threads are made with polyester which gives them strength. The old threads, while beautiful, don't have this updated content.
Carol
on Nov 13, 2013
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Yes our fabrics today have polyester or other fibers in them that just cut right thru what ever you sew with them. The only answer would be to use only on 100% cotton fabric.
Linda Kerr
on Nov 15, 2013
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