How to use a DMC embroidery floss color card and why you need one (2024)

A DMC embroidery floss color card is a must have reference for each stitcher. The color card includes true color samples of all the 500+ shades of embroidery floss made by DMC. You will also find a sample of the latest 30 embroidery floss colors. And there is lots of extra information in the booklet.

Scroll down to learn more and see how to use a floss color card.

The 5 biggest reasons to buy a color card

Why you need one with true colors

Learn what types of floss are available per color

Learn about color families and shades

Find floss by color number

Shop your color card here

How to use a DMC embroidery floss color card and why you need one (1)

The 5 biggest reasons to buy a floss color card:

1. A color card is handy when changing colors of a design.

You can easily find the best matching alternative in your stash or swap the entire color palette of a pattern.

2. A color card is a great reference when you are designing your own pieces.

Match your paint or pencil colors with the corresponding DMC floss color. This way you can also make your embroidery piece match the color of your clothes, wall, cushions, sofa, etc.

3. A color card helps to choose the right fabric for your project.

In our embroidery fabrics collection you will notice that each fabric includes a picture with the best matching DMC floss color. With a true color card you will get an even better idea of the colors before you purchase.

4. A color card helps when shopping for floss.

DMC thread is typically organized by color number. That can make it really hard to see and compare all the colors in a particular shade because they are spread out across a webpage. The color card shows them all together, so you can see at a glance what the options are.

5. A color card includes a lot of extra information about your threads.

You will find care instructions, availability of colors and more.

Why you need a floss color card with true colors

The biggest advantage of a real thread color card compared to a printed color card, photo’s or an online color card is simple. The colors are accurate.

Screens vary in how colors are shown. So using a online card or picture will show different shades depending on your screen.

A real thread color card includes an actual piece of the floss. As DMC ensures consistent dye baths over time, you are sure the color you see is accurate.

And the neat thing is that you can even find samples for DMC metallic floss and color variations.

How to use a DMC embroidery floss color card and why you need one (5)

And there are more reasons to choose for a color card with real floss instead of using a printed version.

On the backside of the true color card you can also find samples of other populair DMC embroidery threads. This makes it easier to compare thickness of thread.

And for each type of thread you can learn how to take care of the floss.

Some threads are machine washable at 95 degrees Celcius, where others should be washed at maximum 30 degrees. This is handy information when you are embroidering on clothes for instance.

How to use a DMC embroidery floss color card and why you need one (6)

Shop your color card here

  • DMC Mouline color card with real floss samples including 35 new colors

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Learn which types of threads are available per each floss color

The DMC floss color card comes as a booklet. Once opened you will see all 500+ colors in neat rows of color families.

On top of each colomn you will see a list of reference numbers of the most populair DMC embroidery threads.

  • 117 – the populair 6 stranded embroidery floss
  • 115 – Perle cotton skeins no 3 and 5
  • 116 – Perle cotton balls no 5, 8, and 12

Now you will notice that under the floss colors numbers there is a small table with some boxes filled and some left empty. The once filled indicate that this color is avaialble in that thread variationindicated at the top of the column.

For example, in the picture you will see that color 964 is only available as 117, 6 stranded embroidery floss. Color 959 is available as 117, and Perle no3, Perle no5, and Perle no8.

How to use a DMC embroidery floss color card and why you need one (8)

Find embroidery floss color families and shades

The DMC floss color card is arranged in color families and shade groups rather than numerical order. This makes it really easy to find a range of shades of a particular color. You can find color families in a collumn with different shade groups combined.

We recommend to pick colors from the same shade group.

Shade groups are shown on a collumn from top to bottom. Each shade group start with the lightest shade and finish with the darkest shade.

For example when you’re looking for blue tones you can combine color 828, 3761, 519, 518, 3760, 517, 3842 and 311. They are all part of the same Blue color shade group. Colors 747, 3766, 807, 3765 are part of a different color shade.

How to use a DMC embroidery floss color card and why you need one (9)

Find floss color by its number.

Sometimes you may look for a floss color by its number. The color card includes a handy table that will help you.

The table lists the floss numerically along with its corresponding color family column.

For example, if you like to know what color floss number 747 is, search for it in the color number table. You will see it’s part of color family 8. You will then go to the collumns with the real thread colors and search for the number under collumn 8.

How to use a DMC embroidery floss color card and why you need one (10)

As a seasoned embroidery enthusiast with a profound understanding of the intricacies of thread selection and color matching, I can attest to the indispensable nature of a DMC embroidery floss color card in every stitcher's toolkit. The DMC color card stands out as an invaluable reference, offering a comprehensive collection of over 500 true color samples of embroidery floss shades.

One of the standout features of the DMC color card is its inclusion of the latest 30 embroidery floss colors, ensuring stitchers have access to the most up-to-date palette. The booklet goes beyond mere color swatches, providing a wealth of additional information that elevates its utility for embroidery enthusiasts.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:

1. The 5 Biggest Reasons to Buy a Floss Color Card:

  1. Color Matching in Designs:

    • Enables effortless identification of alternative colors in your stash or the option to entirely swap the color palette of a pattern.
  2. Designing Your Own Pieces:

    • Serves as a valuable reference for designers, facilitating matching of paint or pencil colors with corresponding DMC floss colors.
  3. Choosing the Right Fabric:

    • Assists in selecting the ideal fabric for your project by showcasing the best matching DMC floss color alongside embroidery fabrics.
  4. Shopping for Floss:

    • Provides a consolidated view of all DMC thread colors, simplifying the process of seeing and comparing options that might be scattered across a webpage.
  5. Extra Information:

    • Offers additional details such as care instructions, color availability, and more, enhancing the overall knowledge about the threads.

2. Why You Need a Floss Color Card with True Colors:

  • Accuracy of Colors:

    • Unlike printed or online color cards, the real thread color card includes actual floss samples, ensuring accuracy in color representation. Screens may vary in color display, making a physical color card crucial.
  • Varieties of Threads:

    • Features samples of DMC metallic floss and color variations, providing a comprehensive view of thread options.
  • Comparison of Thread Thickness:

    • The backside of the true color card includes samples of other popular DMC embroidery threads, facilitating the comparison of thread thickness.
  • Care Instructions:

    • Offers information on how to take care of different types of threads, including details on washing temperatures, essential for embroidery on clothing.

3. Types of Threads Available per Floss Color:

  • The DMC floss color card, presented as a booklet, organizes the 500+ colors into neat rows of color families.
  • Each column displays reference numbers for popular DMC embroidery threads, such as 117 (6-stranded floss), 115 (Perle cotton skeins no 3), and 116 (Perle cotton balls no 5, 8, and 12).
  • A table below the floss color numbers indicates the availability of each color in various thread variations.

4. Finding Floss Color Families and Shades:

  • The DMC floss color card is arranged by color families and shade groups rather than numerical order.
  • Shade groups are presented in columns, with each column displaying different shade groups combined.
  • Recommendations are made to pick colors from the same shade group for harmonious results.
  • Within each shade group, colors are arranged from the lightest to the darkest shade.

5. Finding Floss Color by Number:

  • A handy table in the color card assists in locating a floss color by its number.
  • The table lists floss numerically along with its corresponding color family column, streamlining the search process.

In conclusion, investing in a DMC embroidery floss color card with real floss samples is a strategic move for any embroidery enthusiast, providing not just a spectrum of colors but a wealth of information to enhance the stitching experience.

How to use a DMC embroidery floss color card and why you need one (2024)
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