What Is DMC Eco Vita?
DMC Eco Vita 360 is a sustainable embroidery thread made of 100% organic wool and coloured with plant dyes such as madder, indigo and alder. It comes in 16 m skeins; the thread is a little heavier than two strands of floss and finer than tapestry wool. The colour card has 60 natural shades: earth tones, pastel greens, indigo blues and beige-cream natural whites. This page gathers all the Eco Vita colours at Hobianna; the Eco Vita categories in the punch needle, embroidery, tapestry and cross stitch branches link here. Products carry the original DMC label and colour number (001–060 series).
What to Make with Eco Vita
Punch needle: because wool fibre grips the loop it is one of the most reliable threads for medium and fine punch needles, giving a plush, dense, natural surface. Most Hobianna punch kits for hoop panels, coasters and brooches work with this thread. Wool embroidery (crewel): ideal for botanical and country designs in stem, long-and-short and chain stitch on linen and cotton; the matt wool texture stands out in vintage and Scandinavian embroidery. Tapestry and cross stitch: single-strand full coverage on 14 ct aida and 12–14 ct canvas; for large tapestries DMC Tapestry Wool is more economical, Eco Vita suits small, natural-toned pieces. Pompoms, tassels and needle felting: plant-dyed wool also serves in felt brooches and fabric toy details.
Needle, Fabric and Quantity
Use a size 3–5 sharp chenille needle on closely woven fabric and a blunt size 22 on aida and canvas; in punch needle a medium tip with 2.5–3 mm loops looks natural. Wool thins with friction, so cut 35–40 cm lengths and do not pull tight. One 16 m skein works a small motif in a 15 cm hoop, or about 4×4 cm of filled area in punch needle; buy 3–4 skeins of the main colours for a punch panel. Plant dye is light-sensitive: display away from direct sun and hand wash in cold water.
Eco Vita versus Tapestry Wool
Eco Vita is organic wool and plant dye, 16 m and 60 colours; DMC Tapestry Wool is conventionally dyed, 8 m and more than 380 colours. Choose Tapestry Wool for a wide card and large tapestries, Eco Vita for a natural palette and sustainable production. See DMC Tapestry Wool for all colour options; glossy cotton alternatives are in DMC Pearl Cotton and DMC Floss.