Things change and one thing you can almost count on these days is that red threads will change. New environmental laws seem to affect red more than any other color. This means reds are less colorfast and that the same color number may be a different color.
Thanks to the South Bay Chapter (San Jose) for providing this information.
Changed Colors
European laws have caused DMC to change their formulas, affecting several colors of red. The affected colors are: 304, 321, 498, 815, and 816. You can tell if the skein you have is new or old by looking at the tag with the number. The new formulas have a dot after the number.
This affects us in North America because DMC is an imported thread and follows European laws about dyes, not US or Canadian ones.
Color Substitutions
There are suggested substitutions for several DMC colors that have been discontinued. These colors are discontinued because they are very similar to other DMC colors.
These substitute numbers are now double numbered with the color number large and the discontinued number showing small on the label.
- For 504, use 3813 (light green)
- For 731, use 732 (bronze green)
- For 776, use 3326 (wild rose)
- For 781, use 782 (wicker brown)
- For 806, use 3760 (fjord blue)
- For 971, use 740 (orange)
- For 3773, use 407 (clay brown)
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Thanks for the update. I will go home and change my stash……. Does this include pearl cotton?
If the color comes in pearl cotton, it is also affected.
Keep stitching,
Janet
Dmc variegated 122 was change to what new# please help.
I don’t have the new number, but similar colors from other companies include:
`1082 from Threadworx, which is lighter
H202 from Valdani is similar but darker
0579 from Valdani looks very close
You can also ask if people know on the ANG list (which is on Yahoo groups_.
Keep stitching,
Janet
I am working on a pattern I purchased on ETSY. I was getting low on 603 which I’ve had since the 80’s. So, I bought another skein only to find out when I got home that it is not the same color. It’s a pink but more pastel instead of the bright pink I had in my collection. I went back to the store and found one that matches VERY closely. I even confirmed it’s closeness with the cashier and she agreed. The new floss is 3805. It’s called Cyclamen Pink while the 603 is called Sweet Pink on my chart but I’ve seen it called Cranberry too which it is not even close to a cranberry.
I am cross stitching a kit that calls for light brown 15578. Any idea what color that is?
This is not a number for a DMC floss, they have no numbers longer than four digits.It could be for a different brand of floss or for a different DMC thread. If you are working from a kit, the thread should be included. If you need more of it or a similar color, you could take that thread to a needlework store to look for a match.
Sometimes though, especially with older kits, the numbers refer to threads that no longer exist.
Good Luck!
Keep stitching,
Janet
I’m working in a new project, so needed to organize my thread. As I wound new the on cards, I noticed the new DMC thread is not as soft and much thinner than the old. what’s up with DMC quality? Very disappointed. J.Nash
I’m half way through on a picture for my granddaughter. The DMC floss color is #318 that I bought in the 1990’s. I had no idea DMC had changed several colors, but the original #318 is not the same as the original color. Did the old #318 change to a different number, or is there a floss that’s really close to the old #318?
I’m dreading the thought of re-doing the hours of work I’ve already put into my project!
Help!
I don’t know if there is a substitute, but i foud a Facebook group recently that gives help with finding thread. I’d look for help there.
keep stitching,
Janet
Can you tell us what the name of the fb group that could help?
Sorry, I don’t have that information.
Keep stitching,
Janet
Hello,
I am very new to this world of embroidery. I purchased a felt Christmas stocking kit that included DMC Burgundy 815 embroidery thread. I see in your article that this is a color that was changed or reformulated because of European regulation. Any advice for what to use as a substitute for Burgundy 815?
Thanks.
The first thing I would do is check a current skein of the color against what you have. It’s possible that your kit had the new color. It’s also possible that the new color comes very close to the old one. If the colors match, just continue stitching.
If the colors do not match, stop stitching with that color immediately. If some or all of the remaining areas to stitch in this color are not adjacent, use the new color for them. You’ll have to combine the new color with the old where they are adjacent to make a seamless transition. Replace one strand of the old with one of the new and stitch a bit. Continue in this way, replacing one strand at a time until you are stitching with only the new thread. From there, complete the area.
Keep stitching,
Janet
Is 321 still available? I have seen S321 and 321. The 321 is a true red. I understand the Euro laws changed for dyes but I thought I bought the 321 true red at Hobby Lobby recently. The S321 and 666 has too much orange.
Thank you
I don’t know.
Keep stitching,
Janet