Any sewer relies on having sturdy thread, and spools of every color they make. Leftover threads are saved for future projects, and predictably, the thread storage box is pretty large. And, I confess--some if it has been in there a long time....Who can resist the basket at the cash register that has all the odd colors reduced--one never knows what the next fabric will require.
The newer threads are packaged on long tubes instead of spools now, and I have a number of them all lined up neatly on the side of my thread box. I was noticing whitish powdery flakes, but didn't think too much of it until I went to wind thread onto a bobbin, and the tube started to break into pieces and finally fly up and off the spool holder of my sewing machine. The whole tube just disintegrated.
I figured I could salvage the thread by winding it onto plastic bobbins, but it takes about six bobbins for one unused tube. I ordered bobbins and storage boxes (thank you, ebay) and set to work. After a few tries, I figured out how not to end up with a big tangled mess, and how not to have pieces of white plastic flying all over the room. I still have quite a mess to clean up.
Initially, I thought the thread was Guttermann's, and I dropped them an email to tell them what was happening. I heard back, and they were concerned--asked me to send them some of the defective plastic tubes, and they would send me some thread. When I went back to my thread box, I discovered that the crumbling threads were all from Singer, so I emailed back, and apologized for my mistake, and had a nice note back.
I emailed Singer, and they answered and said that they sub-contract the thread to another company, and if I wanted to contact them, etc, etc. So much for brand reliability. The Singer thread is made in China. Well, you get what you pay for. Stick with the Germans. BTW, I still have wood spools that came out of my grandmother's, and even my great grandmother's....
