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Thread Care
You expect
it to be ready to sew when you are, but many
people don't take the time to treat their
thread right. What can happen if you ignore
your thread? More than you might think.
First of
all, I'd like to go over some general rules
about storing thread. A lot of people don't
think that they need to do anything except
stick the thread on a wooden peg and forget
about it. Not so! After all, you wouldn't
stick a bottle of fine wine out in the garage,
nor park a vintage Mustang in the middle of
a busy highway. Special items require
special care! 
To
begin with, your thread should be stored in a
cool, dry place, preferably a temperature of
68 degrees with about 60 percent humidity.
I always keep my thread out of direct
sunlight as well, since the rays will not
only fade thread but will dry it out at
the same time.
It's
tempting to unwrap thread right away, but if
the thread comes wrapped in plastic, keep
the plastic on until you are ready to use
the thread. It sounds simple enough, but
you would be surprised at how many people
take the plastic off right away! By doing
so, you're exposing the thread to the open
air, which will eventually cause it to dry
out. Keep it protected as long as you can!
Dry, brittle thread will break and fray.
Keeping the
moisture level in the thread constant and
correct goes a long way to making sure you
get the best out of your spools. Too much or
too little humidity can really affect thread
performance. If thread is stored in a damp
place, for example, it can become
waterlogged and perform poorly. At the same
time, when thread dries
out, it will break and fray while you're
sewing. What's the solution? Storing
thread in airtight plastic containers works
nicely.
Part of
thread care is common sense. For example,
when you store thread after a project, be
sure to secure the end of the thread to the
base of the cone or spool. Some cones have
a notch to attach the end to; if there isn't
a notch, you can use a small piece of tape to
secure the end. When the ends are tucked in,
it keeps your thread rack looking neat, and
it keeps those ends from tangling up in
other areas.
Another
basic idea is that thread cones or spools
should be stored securely; don't let them
roll around. If the thread is knocked over,
the thread could begin to unravel and then
you've wasted all of that yardage. After
all, you don't want to use the thread
that's come undone! I prefer a peg board
where the thread cones are stored at an
upward slant, leaving no chance of rolling
or being knocked over.
Once your
thread is properly cared for, it is much easier to organize your thread
rack. One way to make sure your projects
move along
smoothly is
by organizing your thread by thread material
type. Keep all your rayon, polyester,
and cotton threads separate for easy
selecting later. Next, organize the
specific thread type by weight.
Lastly, organize your thread by color.
Keep all your blues together, for instance,
in one plastic container or on one row on
your peg board or shelf.
With these helpful
hints, I know you'll find yourself able to
jump into a new project with ease. Happy Stitching!
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