Community / Embroidery /
3568
by crazystitcher 21 May 2014 ( edited May 26'14 05:59 )
+33

How old is TOO OLD ??? - when it comes to embroidery thread.

I have heard a number of comments that old embroidery thread should not be used if you want your project to turn out well, but how old is too old? Do you make a record of the date you bought each spool and set a "use-by" for each one or how do you decide which ones not to keep without being wasteful?

Comments (8)
158718
by jrob 21 May 2014
+10
It's too old if it shreds, constantly breaks, or frays. That is just my opinion.
1 comment
by crazystitcher 25 May 2014
thanks for your advice
169064
by 02kar 21 May 2014
+5
I have thread that is over 8 years old and doing fine. I am careful to keep it out of sunlight in drawers.
1 comment
by crazystitcher 25 May 2014
thanks
52686
by shirley124 21 May 2014
+5
I have asked this question at the sewing store some time back. The answer was when it starts to beak all the time. I have thread that is over 12 years old and I have only thrown out 3 spools. Hope this helps. Shirley
1 comment
by crazystitcher 25 May 2014
thanks - that is reassuring - I have some Janome thread that is 4 to 5 years old but nice colours and seems ok but did not want my stitching to fall apart too soon after giving to friends for their birthdays
29726
by babash 21 May 2014
+5
If it breaks all the time. Depends on where it is kept as well. Do not let the sun get to it in the sewing room.
2 comments
by lenamae 23 May 2014
if your thread breaks try putting it in the freezer for a little while and see if that helps.
by crazystitcher 25 May 2014
thanks for your advice
2350
by sewist1 22 May 2014
+3
I agree with the other comments. It lasts a long time if kept away from the sun. I have only thrown out a couple of spools in all the years I have had an embroidery machine.
1 comment
by crazystitcher 25 May 2014
thanks, do you need to keep threads in sealed containers, such as plastic food storage boxes as well as keeping them out of the sun?
463429
by sewmom 22 May 2014
+3
Same question for regular thread. I haven't had a problem with embroidery thread yet but I made a bunch of pajamas a few years ago and some of them had thread breaking after a year. I know I used old thread stash for them.
78119
by lidiad 23 May 2014
+2
That's interesting, thank you for asking and thanks to the Cuties who answered.
Hugs, Lidia
255054
by airyfairy 26 May 2014
0
Great answers - thank you for question.