The thread is already on its way out. Now I can get over my guilt trip of throwing away my floss from 1980s! These include antique and vintage pins, vintage safety pins, mourning pins, hat pins, veil pins, threads, linen twine, vintage floss, vintage embroidery thread and more. Or: I found a whole stash of embroidery threads for a really good price at an estate sale and I bought them. I have a framed piece I did in the 80s with crewel wool. Speaking generally, DMC cotton floss is not too expensive here in the US. Formulas for dyes change all the time, as technology improves or as environmental concerns come to light. Can I clean them and use them? There are two really fine ones Dollfus- mieg & Cie Alison D.M.C. Can you email me at mary(at)needlenthread(dot)com. There seems to be a problem serving the request at this time, Aunt Martha's Embroidery Patterns, Transfers, Other Hand Embroidery Patterns & Instructional Media, {"modules":["unloadOptimization","bandwidthDetection"],"unloadOptimization":{"browsers":{"Firefox":true,"Chrome":true}},"bandwidthDetection":{"url":"https://ir.ebaystatic.com/cr/v/c1/thirtysevens.jpg","maxViews":4,"imgSize":37,"expiry":300000,"timeout":250}}, "DMC 117-310 Mouline Stranded Cotton Six Strand Embroidery Floss Thread, Black, 8.7-Yard", DMC Gc001 StitchBow Plastic Floss Holder 10-pack 072641, 2 DMC Cebelia 50g Size 20 Blanc Crochet Thread, 24 Big Spools Sewing Thread Polyester Assorted Colors 2400 Yards Each Spool USA, DMC Six Strand Embroidery Cotton 8.7 Yards Medium Light Shell Pink Between 223 &224 117 152, HM Textile Peacock Cone Machine Embroidery Thread 3000 M #n1116 Light Dusty Rose, DMC Six Strand Embroidery Cotton 8.7 Yards Variegated Delft Blue 117 121. While not air tight, it keeps the floss in excellent shape; clean and readily accessible. Knowing that I enjoy cross stitching, friends of mine saved a large box full of embroidery floss that had been dropped off at our local senior center. Ive bought old thread (and old yarn) fully aware it might not be useable. Just came across your Thread Talk article as I was researching old embroidery flossdont know if a comment is still welcome or will go through, but here goes! While youre on the subject of threads, what is the best way to store them? I totally agree with you on old thread and its decomposing. It came with cardboard spools that you wind the thread around and mark the number on the top. As far as vintage floss, I buy the DMC floss in the original boxes which have tissue paper around them. I guess I should throw out my MILs old threads. . ; ). Its difficult to tell just how bad the rotting process is by looking. At least not embroider with them. The fact is, I dont really like them the same way. I found this so interesting. The drawers are made of bakelite or have plastic inserts and some have slots in them which hold the spools in place and colt ids are easily read. Thank you for posting this info. I found a pic in Martha Pullen book, Shawowwork Embroidery made easy, 1981. page 9, explaining how to remove thread from shein. while looking up how spell polypropylene, I lost my message and train of thought. It has two shelves. This difference between old and new threads is magnified because these are white threads. But more often than not, Im disappointed in that regard. It certainly stays clean and organized. I am a have to have the entire collection gal. I have been slapped in the face with the dead fish of reality! Thanks. But first we must know what too easily feels like for that particular thread in new condition. The crochet yarns feel like a waste to just have lying around. Thanks for letting me ask possibly the current MaryAnn. Hand Embroidery Lessons & Step-by-Step Projects, Church / Ecclesiastical Embroidery Patterns, Stitch Tip: Its Ok to Swap Threads Midstream. Am I close? Dyes can have adverse effects on fibers over time, so it could be a matter of dye problems, too. And dyeing was different 40 years ago. You sent shivers down me spine this am! When it breaks too often at the eye of the needle. But as with all things antique understand what it is, be gentle and test, test, test to get the best part of the skein or spool. Felt guilty about doing that. Woolite for darker colors works well. In the first photo in this article, and in the photo directly above, youll see some old skeins of #40 coton a broder. Poor materials or tools can be very discouraging. How would you suggest storing threads/kits to minimize rot? Im 66 years old and I have the silk thread my mother used to embroider some baby clothes, a baby quilt and pillow(yes they put pillows in with babies back then) and Ive been wondering if they could be used. Heck, most of us dont do that today! Just wanted to offer another use for threads rather than tossing them in the trash : ). Some even untouched if I purchased too much. I am thinking of some I have encountered over time that seemed to have gotten almost felted. Id hazard a guess they are from the 1930s but they could be older. I really think your best bet would be trying to match the colors & types of threads as much as possible, and using new threads. Thanks for any help you can give. I am sure there must be some online stores but for those of us who do not do as much embroidering, how do we know the age of those threads? Otherwise it is just frustrating to work with. I have some older floss and this is valuable information. Some fibers dont rot as quickly as others. I have tried to do crewel and needlepoint with older Paternayan wool and it too rots (discolors and weakens/shreds). I put in destroyed 50years from now? I have had a thought (dangerous ground) as to Sometimes I have felt a little disappointed to have to pass up old thread found at a good price. I know I am straying from the point again but it is relevant. Just for giggles, I will have to choose just one and purchase a new one and make the comparison. I just keep these old threads to look at and remember old times. What Im not talking about is older threads used at professional workshops or kept in museums and the like, that have been stored under optimum conditions. Mom was very careful about keeping the threads clean and protected. And lets face it: most embroiderers of old did not store their threads with museum-like care, to ensure the longevity of the threads. Most were DMC of various age (determined by the changes in bands). Because of the experience in quilting I have the same habit in my embroidery. I have bought and used old (40-50 year old) embroidery linen (flax) thread since 2009, and its been as new, no difference. Obviously in darkness, cool, but anything else? Theyre so beautiful and silky I keep it like a treasure, just opening it to admire the gems and rarely have I even thought about using them. But those older threads are giving me and others problems with knotting. And it is also true of needlework threads, needles, fabrics: the whole kit and caboodle. Thank you for all your info! My father designed and put together the die that cut the bobbins. And then there is the definition of oldrecently manufactured cheap thread that is out in the light and the heat and generally abused might not be as good as a meticulously stored 50 year old spool of Corticelli silkI test each thread before starting a project, and I like using older ones in some cases as it creates a certain look and feel that is not available with newer products. :>). Hi, I store my floss on the plastic spools if its new and in Baja slide cases. NEW red floss bleeds too Connie! I dont know about rot, but its not strong like modern cotton thread (and most today is even stronger because it is partly synthetic). Excellent article Mary! The only silks Ive ever found save me the work by by being a tangled filthy mess in the bottom of a box. Another student managed to have beautiful passages of green lawn while mine were patchy and horrible. They are stunning and much richer in color then what you can buy today anywhere. A quilter acquaintance who was moving gave me a bag of embroidery floss.I tried using one red skein and noticed that the threads disintegrated as I tried separating the strands. It really depends on how it was stored and such, but old cotton floss tends to feel like it is dried out and it loses some of its sheen. It was a slide box (photo). They are just fine for for making into tassels or twisted cord trim on a Christmas ornament. The thread didnt show signs of wear, but it kept breaking when I tried to slip it between the pearls. Been there, done that with reds & several shades of navy made by a major producer & not hand dyed. So when Mary tells you to throw out the old, rotten threads, believe her. Colors look bright now. If I cannot find the thread made today.I use the old threadwashing it will tell you how much, if at all, the thread is damaged. These were all DMC threads. I am clearing out her things and wonder if you know anyone who would like them. And if I have a chance I will buy vintage beads but I will never use them. What is the proper way to store embroidery floss? Many are unlabeled, many are from companies that are no longer in business. As one beader I know said, were magpie-dragons: attracted to shiny objects and then we hoard them like the dragon its treasures. I would like any that are of birds, or oriental in design. I have quite a stash of rather old goods from the late 1800s to early 1900s. Is your intention to embroider something that you can enjoy for years to come? It is set in a box labeled Clark & Co. Paisley (Scotland)? The only idea of what could be done with it is to give it to children to use as string that would be thrown away in time anyway. Something that you can hand down to your kids or grandkids? Too true! Depending upon the wishes of the client I sometimes use these threads, but most of the time I use new threads and will stabilize old fabrics with interfacing put behind them if they are frail. I urge safe stitching . Would it work just as well to use todays threads? Thats all there is to it. Excellent tool! For years, I searched for another. Is there a guideline for what age thread would be generally usable, and at what age thread should generally be passed on? It was my mother-in-laws and was stored above a closet in thread trays. Your email address will not be published. For example, I know just how strong of a tug new 6 strand floss will take before breaking. The other problem I have are cross stitch quick kits (think Chirstmas ornaments), that have thread from China. Do threads decompose during this time too..pl advise. linen, thats the main reason I bought it because even fine, it is strong. The color of the thread I bought is a lovely natural cream, the thread is a fine 3-ply retors and has a very nice natural shine. I agree with you that throwing away old floss is a lesson to learn. There is no stress on them when used this way, so weakness isnt a factor. All the time,effort,love,etc. Its an extra step that takes time away from stitching, plus you need to pre-plan rather than just pick up your floss & go. To this day, I would bet I have about 90% of the color collection. The numbers were the same, but the colors were not. Not to be found anywhere. With one exception. They were not the same color! Antique Linen Floss in Arts and Crafts Colors, Silk Buttonhole Twist for Embroidery Forty Yard Hanks, Antique Silk Passementerie Buttons with Needle Lace Cord Detail, Woven Cord with Gold Metal Threads - French, Antique French Linen Sewing Thread in Six Different Sizes, Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Thank you Mary for rekindling my love of hand sewing. It was difficult to get to this mindset because I come from a background of use what youve got. Thank you for any help or advice for this issue. Thanks for sharing this with us very illuminating. Id like to finish them using the same thread. Thread is not really my scene but I loved the cards these were on. I have a lot of old threads for which this is all probably true. Your photos of the discolouration and stains really proves your point on old threads, in your comparative photos its amazing the difference in colour when compared to the new threads which probably isnt noticable on their own. When I handle these old threads it makes me think of where they came from. Now, when it comes to using only slightly older threads that still feel ok, still look ripe and good and usable, but might be dusty and grimy, thats a different question. Putting them in jar, displaying them, casting them in resin anything to use them until they literally disintegrate. My hard-worked Bargello, that I worked in 1975 with Anchor silks (sorry, I dont remember exactly which I used) has started to rot, starting with the pinks. Please advise how to store completed art work. A very interesting, informative article. In any case, can you still wash these old threads and use them? Just thinking that other things can happen to wool over time. It makes me sad and very greeedeee . Although an awful lot of them are weak and unsuitable for embroidery, they still have a chance. I heard from a reseller of linen and cotton embroidery yarn that cotton ages badly, linen doesnt. Also, the thread rot and color changes in a skein will jeopardize the beauty and longevity of a piece that the embroiderer has spent many hours of time and effort creating. Through the years I have had to deal with clients that have used aged stash in a piece of canvas or counted embroidery. It never pays to start a background with Aunt Alices yarn from her trunk. I was not aware of thread rot, but will keep it in mind. Something New, Small, and Blue and Scissors! The North of France used to be the region specialized in textile weaving and all related industries. Are plastic bags or plastic tubs ok or should I try a cloth bag? I love reading your email and learn so much from you. Shop Vintage Passementerie on line atEtsy, eBay or our physical store at theMonticello Antique Market Placein Portland, OR. Commercial products also remove excess dyeSynthrapol etc. Whether your old threads are colored or white, chances are, if they are some 50 or more years old, they have the same type of grime, the same type of discoloring, going on you just dont notice it as much if the threads are colored. some silk, some cotton, also several partially worked pieces which my mother started before, during & just after the second world war fortunately for me they were all in a camphour wood box, wrapped in tissue They smell wonderful,feel fine, & of course they match the unfinished pieces. I have a whole different problem I like beads, I love them. You probably guessed it. Besides the discoloration of the threads which can be due to dirt and dust, to air and pollutants, to moisture or light, just to plain old aging there is something else going on with the threads that you dont notice right away, or might not even think of. If the threads look good and feel good, give them a try! Not using second-rate materials when you are learning or practising is crucial. We dont stitch often but there are five in my family using the threads. Pretty much works the same way as my husband took the time and cut out the spools from chipboard that he painted white for me. My spontaneous thoughts are actually: what else can be done with old threads instead of throwing them away? This was sewing thread, not floss. They look at me with glassy eyes and mouth hanging open when I want to discard my old stash. I always check that possibility before I trash any threads. It protects the flossmakes it a breeze to separate and preserves the colors. I certainly read with much interest your article today regarding old embroidery threads. I also have found there is often a moldering kind of smell that goes along with it that cannot be washed out,yes, I have tried. There is still a trade office in Glasgow. Or does this describe you: Youre practicing stitching, having a little fun with crafty embroidery and the like, and you dont really plan on the piece lasting forever realizing that what youre doing is just passing fancy, but youre having fun learning how to do it, so the thread doesnt matter. I learned this while quilting. I am a hoarder but not pathological. Now I can throw out that life long collection of badly stored boxes of old thread! When people buy my work, however, they want something that will not disintegrate or smell bad right away! Thread rots. It sounds weird, I know, but many birds pick up hair and things like that to make nests with. Now I`ll step down from my soapbox. I do have all of my Moms threads and I wash those before I use them. I guess the bright side would be having to purchase new skeins! It doesnt keep in a home setting. I started cross stitching in 1977. And not feel bad about tossing if bad. I did find another metal box that was exactly the same dimensions but a different color. I think you are right about using quality material even when learning. Totally agree. As a fabric recycler, I often get old threads delivered to me along with the old clothes I use to make quilts or pillows out of as family keepsakes. Thread rot! These items had belonged to the owners mother and grandmother, so some go back quite a few years! Id love to hear about the patterns! They are so pretty ! I make mostly tiny projects, only using small amounts of thread in many different colors (and usually no pattern); so Used Lots of thread- especially interesting specialty thread-can be very tempting. It looks similar to a tackle box. Now I know what to look for. She hand wound all the thread. It is awful to behold. I have been hand quilting hexagons and find the thread keeps breaking so bought a different brand but now realize it is very very old. (But with new beads too, which is worse as they are more readily available, its often not a very limited supply left.) I wrap mine around those little plastic square things and store in a plastic divided case with compartments? The rayon (art silk) filament is fragile, though, and the perle-style rayon thread falls apart at the slightest friction. I immediately bought some and the improvement was unbelievable it wasnt that I was a lousy artist, it was the materials that were making me so. I assume it is old, but not sure.! Thanks for bringing this concern into the public eye. Several years ago I had an unfortunate experience using OLD floss on a redwork project. My older floss from the 80s and 90s, all DMC, is knotting every ten stitches or so. I think the colors changed over time. I use only high quality quilting threads for my quilts and I always have leftover spools. But if you want to use the old threads, then Id suggest smaller lengths and changing your threads often as soon as they start to look fuzzy or duller. I just found this article, and thought it was very interesting. I just purchased several boxes from an eBay seller and I was very fortunate to find these 1500 + skeins in their original cases for $150.00. I make trim with them! I have a difficult time throwing things like that away. Your article on old threads was very helpful. I inherited my Grandmothers old floss and never used it because it was old and probably fragile, I thought I was just being silly but I can see that I was justified in my decision. I have also added some thread to a bobbin, and it was not the identical color to what was already there. Its just not worth it. It has not been in the sun. Just purchased a 1971 vintage Erica Wilson kit on ebay. Great article! Hi, Janet Ahhhh. In the long run, I think its better than amassing a collection of goods that no one will ever see, that I can do nothing with, and that takes up space. It breaks, tangles,and colors always fade. We make 2-5 projects a year each. But it is the same with cotton floss, which is basically the same thing in this regard. Or should I just avoid those tempting used lots altogether? it might be fun to hold onto something vintage and it might even have sentimental value, but do not use it. Then dont use old threads because none of the above will happen. We also need to know how strong a particular thread should be. I am one of those people who inherited a lot of old threads. so glad people out there still use then and enjoy them! If you want to chat the subject up a bit, feel free to leave a comment below! So pleased to read this article thanks. You just want to learn, and youll work on the art approach once the learning is done. For years, I have wound my DMC floss on cards and stored it in the divided boxes. Milly. Over time, mercerized cotton can deteriorate at least in performance, and sometimes in look and quality. Love your blog! ..but the linen was ok, right? I dont want to name names, but colorfast on the label is no guarantee that your thread wont bleed on your project. Your eyes may not detect this other problem, but it is there, at least in some degree or another. If you are learning, dont learn on something that is going to cause you frustration and grief, something thats going to fall apart on you, something thats going to give you inferior results. Oxidation? Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands onread more, 2022 Needle 'n Thread. So my advice is if you must use the old stuff check it out first and make sure it doesnt bleed onto your project. The cotton seems to have held up fine and Im happy to use it, stranded/floss, floche, broder, perle and crochet/lace. Thread rot is not necessarily discernible to the naked eye. Hi, Jody, Im afraid without knowing the line of thread or brand, I wouldnt be able to match up numbers. Wool thread rots. I love to cross stitch and embroider and have floss boxes full of wonderful colors of floss, but these two books really touched me. Dont use that 75-year-old cotton floss you found in your neighbors attic spend 50 or $1.00 on a new skein. Oh Mary, I would never toss my old threads! Some of it it showing signs of wear and those I generally get rid of. Im exactly the same! LOL) Thanks so much for your answer to my question. So if I ever again feel the urge to splurge, I will remember your timely article, Mary. Set up in 1865 and holding the registered trade mark until the 1950s. Old threads that are beyond using, things like that. I can gaze upon them and fondle to my hearts content but dare not use now? It is flax, i.e. I know the old saw about a poor workman blames his tools, but in this case it was true. Someone took the time to cut up what looks like an old bed sheet and some cardboard and stitched them together to hold their lovely colors. I am still in search of this fine floss. How many places in the world did they travel to before ending up in a box in my room? question in many minds. I dont think that many realize that the small savings of money can cause so much dismay in the end. This is a sad (but true) article indeed. That is hard! I love it, but wonder what the rot factor is. But many were American Thread Co. , and their bands stated 3/10 cents. But on the other hand, they are rarely usable for anything. I just got some needlework & sewing items from my MomIll remember to give a tug-test before using. Case in point, I was trying to couch some pearl pearl with a silk thread from my stash. happy New Year, Mary. I get this question, or some similar version thereof, a lot: I have all my grandmothers embroidery threads from however-many-years-ago, and I want to know if I can still use them? My purchase and only available threads would be a JoAnn Fabrics or possibly a Michaels store, and as a last resort, to order via the Internet. When it shreds and falls apart much sooner than you expect it to. But if you have old threads, and if they feel stiff, if they lack the suppleness that they had when new, if they have discolored with age, if they have little bits of brittleness here and there, if they feel thin or delicate compared to the same thread, new, chances are, theres a bit of thread rot already going on. I used it to stitch a little decorative piece for my own enjoyment, and I really enjoyed using threads that had traveled through the generations of the family. When, in general, is thread considered old? Tool Talk: Thread Keeps & How to Make Your Own. Now I know I should just put the whole thing in the trashthe embroidery floss is not usable after so many years of storage in a damp cardboard box kept in a damp attic and has (I am sure) been walked over by many small-footed creature searching for something soft for a nest! As you say why would you want to use really old thread when which rots when you can buy new thread relatively cheaply added to this the texture and lustre is better on new thread then very old thread, its a shame though especially if its a really loved relative who has left embroidery thread, still I suppose they are nice just to keep and look at now and again. Mary, I am 100% in agreement with your assessment of old threads. A lot of times I dont see how old they are till I get them home and try to match the colors with what I have already. The colors are richer and the threads are quality beyond what they are making now. I inherited some old kits, but I havent examined the thread for rot yet. Now I check my silk couching thread by giving it a little tug before I start. I once bought a full box of 24 spools of linen sewing thread for 35! I would love to know about in what years this floss sold that cheaply. Age affects embroidery threads even more so if they are not meticulously stored with the intention of delaying the Absolute Certainty of the effects of age on the threads. When it just gives up the ghost. Because age affects embroidery threads. Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. But they just sort of look lifeless. But even, then, I still think that a project is worth the price of new floss. I am looking for very old DMC embroidery thread,, 1980 showing ladies hands on the label. Threaded up my needle and every single one of them broke apart. but true. Printed on the items is the recommendation to use Perlene cotton thread. When you have some discontinued threads like those in the photos here, however, it seems a shame not to try to use at least some of them, knowing of course that they will probably be much more fragile than when new. Yes I am using them. Bought a whole bag of sewing threads at an antique show and the outer layer was dirty, but figured I could peel that away and have clean threads to work with. I get lots of left overs from others. I of course changed to a new skein but am wondering if all the threads I have should be replaced if I know they were bought in the 80s. If the threads are special in some way, I think it is well worth trying them out as long as you accept that the article may not last as long as if you used new threads. Yup, I love to find stuff like threads at yard sales and second hand shops. I completely agree with you, and as much as I like the idea of vintage fabrics, I think I would prefer all new fabric as well, for all the reasons you stated! I have a box of silk threads that were kept in paper sleves and a box. I like the idea of them. In defense of the manufacturer, however, so many dye compounds are banned, its a wonder we have some colors at all. But my Thing about old embroidery threads is slightly different. I started using what was wound on a cardboard bobbin (which was stored in a container with a closed lid for maybe 10 years) then I threaded my needle with the new skein Id just bought. Good question, because I do the very exact thing with mines also.. The sheen on it is gorgeous, and having been kept in the original paper wrappers, it still looks bright and clean. LOL. I often set out little bits of thread that arent long enough to use near our backyard feeders. The top one lifts off the bottom. The embroidery thread is just terrible. I wonder what they were working on when it was put away for the last time? eBay and Etsy have a lot of vintage floss for sale as well as discontinued colors. This is an Absolute its a fact, and, in fact, for the rest of this article to make sense, you have to be willing to accept this fact. Have you experienced the effects of age on embroidery threads? But Im still unable to pass up a bargain when I see a bag of floss at the thrift shop. We recently purchased a home that is not so oldbut had many old and vintage items left in the garage storage area. Its a distressing idea, true. Hi, Joan thanks for your note! I have a Thing about old embroidery threads. Well, you still have your sense of humor and thats good! Hahaha. Old threads pose a difficulty. Ive bought several Cathy Needlecraft Kits off the internet and the embroidery threads have been fine when I stitched them. Im sorting right now through a lot of my collection of embroidery-related things that Ive kept for a long time, that I know have no use to me or anyone else. Any tales to tell? If youre putting a lot of time into these projects and making things that you want to last over time, it might be worth investing in new thread colors. Ive run across old threads from time to time and I have noticed exactly what you describe. The red floss was so old it was not colorfast. Im sure theres someone out there can think of some way to repurpose it or something, but Id be inclined, I think (eventually) to throw it away. Actually, when I decide Im going to buy a pattern or start a project, I gather the pattern, the new fabric, and the new floss and put them in plastic seal-able bags. You can use Biz to clean silk embroidery..just wash in very diluted, rinse well with cool water and fan dry so it dries quickly you can roll it gently in a towel first. Im a hoarder and hate throwing out but have noticed that some old embroidery thread has discoloured not realizing that it was rotting so next on my list will be to throw out any old stained thread.
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