Is there a difference between the usable shelf life of polyester and rayon thread? I bought some rayon thread a few years ago and wonder if it's still good. Is there a recommended way to store embroidery to maximize it's shelf life?

sorry the video link won't post but I'll just add the link here for YOUTUBE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN...

hugs, Meg

I read a hint (somewhere) recently, where you can place old thread in an airlock bag and place it outside in the cold for several hours and it will rejuvenate the thread by restoring the moisture to it.

Usually the only problem with old thread is that it dries out and becomes brittle.If I find it again, I will double check the facts of this.

I store all my threads in ENVIROTUBES available from Shoppers' Rule. The tubes protect threads from all the elements, including fading caused by sunlight or bright lights. Each tube holds 6 x 1,000 mt reels and can be seen in the clip below.

Hope this helps, hugs n roses, Meganne

Lots of good suggestions; one friend suggested that I keep my thread in boxes out of the sun and dust. Guess that keeping it out of the heat is true also.

I guess it's not as bad as I thought. I have some old Sulky rayon embroidery thread that has been stored in a plastic box, pretty much out of the light and not at excessive heat, not exposed to dust. Pretty interesting that the info on google says it only lasts a few years. I'll have to give it a tug before using or try the freezer trick. Thanks to all who responded.

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by meganne 01 Jun 2010

Well, if thread only lasts a few years, I'd like someone to explain to me why my vintage clothing hasn't just fallen apart?

Or how come I am still using thread from Ray's Grandmother's sewing stash and it doesn't break or shred?

Now, Ray's Mum just turned 91, so I guess Grandma's threads would have to be, at the very least, 65 years old because the needle and hook and eye packets are from the war years.

I still have some threads of my own that I know I purchased over 40 years ago. And yes, I still use them.
hugs n roses, Meganne

I bought my first embroidery machine in 1994 janome 8000 & it came with 2 boxes of their brand of thread .I am still using it as well as other brands that I have accumulated over the years ,never had a problem with any thread -once in a while there might be a knot.Blunt needles are usually the cause of persistant thread breakages.I keep all my threads in drawers to keep the dust out & hopefully any insects that might come in through the flyscreens on hot summer nights

If you keep your embroidery threads covered and away from dust bunnies it should last probably forever. I purchased a few yards of black out fabric from JoAnns Fabrics, and cut to fit my thread holders putting two buttonholes on top to keep it up. It is completely out of the light and remains dust free. I still use the very first embroidery threads from 7 years ago.

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by kagen48 22 May 2010

Margie, What a good idea! I have heard that thread that gets sunlight and dust, like on the peg boards, deteriorates. I didn't worry about it because my embroidery thread is kept in drawers but when I read your idea I realized that my serger thread is out in the light and dust. I need to make a cover for it. Thanks! Kathy

I remember reading that if you put on your thread between your hands and it breaks easily that it is probably rotten. H&*

It depends on the quality of the thread, some break very easily when kept to long, or light and air gets to it, it weakens the thread causing it to break, like any material kept to long tends to fray easily, like wise with thread.

I have no problems with my Sulky thread and some of it is several yrs. old. I have a box of Madeira that I have had for over 6 yrs. but have never even opened the box. I will have to try it out and see what happens the next time I get on the machine. They are very, very BRIGHT colors except for the black, white, a pink and a light blue. It was a gift from the lady that worked at my Machine dealer's for a job I did for her. It has 18 spools of thread and the price on the box is $59.95. I really think it was a store gift more than just from her. She and her husband both work for Branums Sewing and Vacuum and have for many many years. The owner is very nice and so are all of his employees and go out of their way to do everything they can for the customer, including service! Problem is, they no longer carry the Babylocks and their competition just a few blocks away from them now has the Babylock contract. Mark changed brand names in his store about 4/5 yrs ago so it is not the same service at the new place as was with Mark. Big towns, better deals from the machine makers, going big time a few yrs back with a huge new store, I have no idea why he changed from Babylock but the only machine I have even thought I wanted is the Babylock Ellisimo so if miracles could ever happen and I could afford to get a new machine, I would have to find a place here in Atlanta instead of Augusta, Ga where my 2 Babylocks came from. Right now, I am doing great if I can pay my utilities and buy groceries with all of the medical bills.

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by margiepink 22 May 2010

I have owned BabyLocks now for 7 years, I began with the Essante2, upgraded to the Ellegante and now have the top one for the year. I absolutely love these machines, they are workhorses and very user friendly. Wishful Thinking are the words for the day.

WOW, I had no idea there was a shelf life on thread! Maybe that's why I have problems with some of my spools. I learn something new every day here with all you Cuties!

I haven't been embroidering long enough to comment on embroidery thread. However, I work with fabrics for my job. Black nylon thread breaks down pretty quickly. We don't keep a large supply of it on hand. I think this is true of most dark colors. They absorb more light. However, years ago I made a banner of an iris and the yellow fabric in the centers completely disintegrated after a couple of months in the sun. The rest of the colors were fine. That was nylon fabric. Also manmade like the rayon. So I guess you never know.

I havent had any problems with old thread did have a new one that kept breaking put it in a bag in the fridge overnight it works fine now Someone told me in rejuvinates it Heck maybe I need a night or 2 in the fridge lol hope that helps Hugs Shazells

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by nhsmith55 22 May 2010

Wouldn't it be great if we could rejuvinate so easily?!!!!lol

by lenamae 22 May 2010

I have heard that sleeping in a room at friged temps is good for you well when I was little I slept in a room that was never heated when it was down to zero out side you can emagin how cold it was in there and we were never sick I can not remember ever going to a doctor when I was a kid.
Lena Mae

Some of my thread is 12 years old and still stitches well. I keep it in thread boxes so no dust on it other than that I don't do anything special to it

Great question I googled
does embroidery thread have a shelf life and found this site
Rayon "It should be stored and used at room temperature, and its shelf life is generally one to two years."
It continues to say in the polyester section
ABOUT Rayon
" Rayon is shiny and smooth running but is more delicate, less colorfast and has a shorter shelf life."

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by nanniesara 22 May 2010

Thanks for the info.