Old Thread

[JCY]

One person posted they are using up old thread. The shop owner where I bought my new Viking stated that any thread on a wooden or styrofoam spool should be discarded as being too old. That eliminated a lot of spools from my stash. I know I've had some of those around for 30 yrs. It all went in the trash. I use 50 wt. natural color thread on a large cone which I buy from the same shop. It works well on my machine. JCY

[IBake]

JCY- What kind of Viking do you have? I have their tribute that was made for the 140 yr. anniversary. My first machine was a Viking and I have been sewing on it for 40 years. When it was in the shop for sewing by herself, the tech. told me that it would be best if she wasn't used as a daily machine. So she went up to the cabin and is only used in the summer.

When I got my first Viking, they told me not to use a blended thread. That Vikings needed either straight cotton or poly, but not a blend. The machine's tension doesn't deal with a blend.

[GinnyKNC]

Oh don't throw away that old thread. Have you seen the quilt art made with thread? It's beautiful.
I have a Viking and use it as a daily machine and I've never had any issues with it. I love it.
And if anyone has any of those old threads on wood I'd love to get them. I'm collecting the old wooden spools for a project

[toggpine]

Well, I have been sewing with old thread then. I have a few spools of Grandma's that are on wood and the color matched perfectly for an applique, so I used it. It looked in better shape than some of the threads on the shelves for sale today.
I know to test it before using it. Several of the spools did not pass the tug test and are now only for decoration.

Why would they make a machine that shouldn't be used on a regular basis? Or is it your really old one they don't want you to use? Those are usually built better, but harder to find parts for.

[Genny]

Thread really does get old and will break easily. We have some colors at work that we don't use very often and we toss them when we can break them easily with our hands. I was having trouble with my Machine at home breaking the thread and changed the thread for a new spool and everything was fine. Genny

[Sandy Navas]

We all hear the same thing about old thread. I was taught to test - like Genny said, if it breaks easily by hand then your machine is certainly going to break it easily. Also, run off about a couple feet and holding the spool up in one hand, take the opposite thumb and forefinger and grasp the thread near the spool, slipping down to the end of the thread - if you feel lumps or nubbins then don't try to use the thread in the machine.

My take? I have a Viking and there are only a couple threads that I've found don't work well - one definitely is quilting thread in the bobbin (trying for the same look front and back, naturally), and nylon or invisible thread in the bobbin. Yes, some brands do seem to work a bit better at times, but once the right combination of needle, tension (adjusted), and thread then you are home free.

I would never throw thread away - even small ends left on a bobbin are saved into a tub - there are so many ways to use these - artsy quilts, make your own fabric using water-soluble stabilizer and stippling, toss them in bushes for the birds to use to build nests, stuff small toys . . . keep it going.

[IBake]

My first Viking is 40 years old. I have put so many miles on it that she is to the point that she shouldn't be used on a daily basis. He recommended non daily use because of her age. I wore down a bushing that was a 1/2" thick when i got it, and it was 1/16" thick when I had it in for repair. Just as our bodies age..so do machines....my how I miss using that solid metal machine every day....but now she has the winters to rest and the summer to play with me! That way she avoids the daily repair and nitnoie sewing. She just gets the fun stuff to do in the summer.

[JCY]

My Viking is the Opal 670, which I purchased in Sept. of this year. (There's a great tutorial on all its features on YouTube.) I had a 6 y.o. Viking Emerald 183 which I traded in for this new model. I needed a mach. with a wider throat for quilting. This one is all computerized, has the built-in thread cutter, which I've never had before, but really like. However, it creates a lot more fuzz in the bobbin area. For quilting thread, I'm sold on Signature's King Tut. I love the way the colors blend into the fabric. It's the only thread my LA quilter uses. Signature makes plain colors as well; the lg. cones are cheaper than the King Tut. JCY

[Mchelem]

I have a viking topaz and a viking ruby and use blended thread on both and have never had an issue.

Sometimes I think those sales people tell you that you have to use certain thread or notions to get you to buy from them.

[HdWench]

I got the Viking 875 Quilt and have used Serger cone thread, but it doesn't like Gutterman! Boy is that stuff fuzzy, or at least my Viking doesn't like it. It does great with most any thread in the bobbin, but Sulky for quilting is what I like. Also turn your stitch length up to about 3.5 - It will quilt better with a longer length (but don't forget when you turn it back on to readjust)!

Yes I loved the You-Tube on the Vikings that lady answering the phone while doing the demo was cool. I learned a ton from her.

I personally toss out old threads, I'd rather spend another $5.00 or more for new thread than have to fix my machines.