Can anyone tell me how to restore old thread? It doesn't break or look furred, but it seems dry and dusty. I've inherited a lot, of all sorts, and I'd like to save money by using them.
By Helen from Northern Ireland
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Use your vacuum hose to get rid of any dust, or dust if off with a dry cloth. Get some resealable sandwich bags and an eyedropper. Run a line of water from top to bottom of each spool and put it into a sandwich bag. When the bag is about 3/4 full, seal it and put it into the refrigerator for 24 hours; if you leave it sealed longer than that the thread may mildew.
In the sewing groups I'm a member of, I've read articles about leaving the container of thread beside an open window overnight. Obviously, this wouldn't be a good time of year to do that! The idea being, that the thread would absorb moisture and it wouldn't be brittle.
My suggestion would be to take all your spools and put them in a pillow case with a damp hand towel and put that in the dryer on low or air heat. Tie the pillow case closed with an old panty hose or such. Put in the dryer for about 10 minutes. This should tumble off all the dust. You could throw in a dryer sheet to freshen, too!
I tried putting the thread in a pillowcase in the dryer with a little moisture, and it worked! Only the pillowcase opened (memo: use a cotton one ) and there was a bird's nest of unravelled thread!
I have just unwound a layer of the thread until the dusty look is gone.
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