Vintage Thread Spools

Vintage thread comes on pretty wooden spools that are totally cool to look at but did you realize that thread has a shelf life?

Reasons Not to Use Vintage Thread

 

The quick answer is yes they do, especially when they are exposed to light and air for an extended period of time. They become brittle, tend to jam up in the sewing machine and can break when used. Another factor that contributes to this deterioration is the quality of the material they are made from. Threads are made from different materials and some are naturally sturdier compared to others. They also have different thicknesses.

Threads that come on Styrofoam or wood spools weaken over time. This is because the chemicals present in the spool have a negative reaction to the thread itself. Also, if the thread is not stored properly, exposed to dust and lint it could affect the tension of the thread. Not to mention these threads will create more lint on the inside of your machine. (More cleaning for you!)

There is no official way of telling if a certain thread has reached or passed its shelf life, but there is a quick and effective way to test it to see if it is still good to use. Simply take a piece of thread about eight to 10 inches long, tie it into a knot at the middle, then gently pull both ends. If it breaks, the thread has become brittle and should not be used in sewing, otherwise you will just have problems with it. When this happens you have two choices: toss it or keep it as a decorative accessory. For me, I only keep it if it is on a wooden spool. Everything else is tossed. 

Keep in mind….

Threads that were manufactured twenty years ago were mostly polyester or nylon based, not cotton. If the stickers found at the ends of the spools are still intact, you could check the material used. If you’re going to use or buy vintage threads, go for those made of polyester because they are the most durable. Polyester threads are also versatile and have a little amount of stretch. They are colorfast and could be machine washed and dry cleaned or simply dried. But it still pays to test them for strength.  

After learning the hard way a few years back, I purged all of my thread. (I know what you’re thinking…. shock and awe!) Believe me, it was super hard but in the long run it was better for my machine, the longevity of my projects and my mental state. You see, before I hit the circular filing cabinet on the floor my machine kept jamming. It was super frustrating and made me want to walk away from my machine. After threading up my machine with a new spool, double checking my tension and starting over, my machine purred like a kitten. 

So, a word to the wise:

The next time you see a pretty box of vintage thread at your local estate, garage sale or even on the 127 sale, think twice before grabbing it. It may be super cheap but in the long run it will be costly. That is unless they have wooden spools and you are going to put them on display. 

DIY Vintage Thread Instead

 

Remember, vintage thread is amazing to look at but technology has come a LONG way and these improvements are your friend!

 

 

 

 

 

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