Thread

[Roxanne]

Can thread become brittle or less strong over time? Are some threads just better than others and break less? I always wondered if I should use up the older threads first because of these questions.

[teddy_rn]

I have heard that they do if left in a very dry place. Since I have a long of WS stabilizer I make sure that it and the thread stay protected in in my heated/A/C sewing room.

My suggestion, sew lots to get it used up quicker Seriously, be sure it is not stored in a garage, attic or room not temperature controlled.

[Shastasmom]

My suggestion, sew lots to get it used up quicker

That's the best suggestion going Deborah.

[123mccoach]

Make sure you store them in climate control enviroment and that they are covered with something. They get a lot of dust on them if left uncovered. You don't want a lot of humidity or dryness. Thread will get brittle and break.

[anniekay]

Thread can also be bruised. If it is dropped on to hard surfaces, it becomes bruised and will become very brittle. Black is your worse color for breakage due to being overdyed to get to the black color. Keep out of sun and dust and you should have no trouble.

[cathy re]

Thread can also deterate from dust & light , not good for it .

[matilde]

As long as we're on the subject of thread.....Can I use embroidery thread IN the bobbin? Sometimes the bobbin thread will pop thru and you'll see a little white, if I use the same color,,,shouldn't happen.

[gartner]

Matilde
Yes for embroidery you can use the same thread in the bobbin that you use in the bobbin.
It is best to test a design first with it as the regular 40 weight embroidery thread is heavier than bobbin thread.
If a design is really dense then using a 40 weight embroidery thread may present a problem.

In free standing lace embroidery most use the same embroidery thread as the top thread and bobbin thread.

Denise in Calgary

[Roxanne]

Thanks for all the great help on this Thread subject everyone! It is really helpful.

[labeelady]

You may have something in regards to dust causing thread to deteriorate. I was keeping mine in a covered box, and didn't have problems. However, now I have them on a revolving thread rack with no cover, and some of them I put in another box that has no cover. It's more convenient for me to have them within reach than it is to have to keep opening boxes everytime I need a new color.

However, lately I've had problems with shredding and nests on the underside of the project. Today I changed to another brand that had been in a covered box, and was able to stitch out the rest of my project with no problems.

All of the threads I was having problems with were the ones I ordered from DBS. I do have another set of the 61 colors that is still in the box, unwrapped. I will try one of those and see if it still shreds. If it works, that means I need to ditch all the ones I had sitting out in the open.

[wissewer]

I agree that time will eventually deteriorate just about anything. When a cousin died, I inherited her sewing threads and was ecstatic about the colors added to my own collection. However, I should have suspected problems when the spools were all the wooden variety and some had 10 cents (YUP, 10 cents) printed on the spool.

I soon discovered that the thread broke frequently and, as such, was not very useful. I kept it for smaller jobs, but it cannot be used for any large project.

[MystyDeb]

I bought some thread at the local quilting shop on clearance....learned from that! It is horrid. I should have realized that it was old.
My machine (Hus) is really fussy about threads and I wont buy any large amounts now without a trial spool.

[chris13212]

I hear you loud and clear---I also have a Hus DE, and it isnt all that fussy when I do ME, but 'regular' sewing is another story. I just gave away about a dozen spools of thread I had bought at a clearance sale. Live and learn.
Chris

I bought some thread at the local quilting shop on clearance....learned from that! It is horrid. I should have realized that it was old.
My machine (Hus) is really fussy about threads and I wont buy any large amounts now without a trial spool.