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Does Thread have an expiration date? (Scored a curbside find!) (midwest.social)
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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These are old but the thread is perfectly good!

More pics.

They had hand-written price tags with amounts of $2, $4, $5, and one $7.50 (very full, seen next picture)

Most were about half full, but the highest price-tagged one was almost full.

Here are all the colors that I got:

Now what should I make with all these? Anyone need some?

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[-] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago

It can slowly deteriorate over time.

It'll probably be okay, though maybe a little bit weaker or slightly faded compared to when it was new. So, just don't have expectations of factory new thread, and it should be fine.

[-] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago

I'm sure it depends on the material and quality. I've got some that's from my grandmother from the 40s that's still perfectly fine. But it was stored well.

[-] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago

I wouldn't worry too much about floss deteriorating unless it's been stored under bad conditions (like the kind that would destroy any fabric). I have JB Coates floss from the 1990s that's still good, and being used in my current project.

[-] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago

Bonus: who knows what DMC stands for?

Click to see

[-] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago

DeLorean Motor Company? 😁

I kid, I kid! No idea, but awesome find!

I don't think thread necessarily has an expiration date (for us non-commercial sewers anyway). I've used thread that was 20 years old. I suspect it does age, and is worse with sun and higher oxygen exposure (like any material).

[-] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago

I don't have a definitive answer for you, but I can tell you that I have a big box of floss and aida that my aunt gave me that's all from the 80s and it all seems fine. It all feels a little different than new stuff either because it's just old or because they made it different back then but it all works great!

[-] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

Score!

this post was submitted on 24 Jul 2025
42 points (100.0% liked)

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