What Is DMC Etoile?

DMC Etoile is a 6-strand, 8 m sparkle floss of 73% cotton and 27% metallised polyester; its colour codes start with C and match the 35 best-loved floss shades (C5200 white, C310 black, C321 red, C699 green, C798 blue and so on). What sets it apart from fully metallic threads is that the cotton core makes it stitch as softly as floss and spreads the sparkle evenly without kinking. This page gathers every Etoile colour at Hobianna; the Etoile categories in the cross stitch, embroidery and tapestry branches link here.

What to Make with Etoile

Cross stitch: the whole motif can be stitched in Etoile in place of floss; it gives a shimmering cover, ground included, for Christmas, snowflake, unicorn and fairy motifs, wedding and birth samplers. Use 2 strands on 14 ct, 1 on 16–18 ct. Embroidery: stitches as easily as floss in stem stitch, satin stitch, chain and French knots; gives a soft sparkle in starry skies, flower centres and lettering. Tapestry: with 6 strands on fine canvas beside tapestry wool in crowns, jewels and light areas. Punch needle and sewing details: also works for small metallic accents with a fine punch needle.

Stitching Tips

Etoile is cut like floss (40–45 cm) and its strands separated and recombined; the metallic fibre resists friction better than Light Effects, but a large-eyed blunt size 24 needle is still recommended. As the colour codes match floss, you can make the whole piece or chosen areas sparkle by using C321 in place of the chart's 321. An 8 m skein works about 250 stitches on 14 ct; the same quantity maths as floss applies. Wash at 30°C, iron from the back at low heat.

Etoile or Light Effects?

Etoile has a cotton core with a soft, even sparkle; used for whole motifs and grounds. DMC Light Effects is fully metallic and far brighter; it is for small accents. For heavy metallic accents see Metallic Pearl Skein, for outlines and edges DMC Diamant. All metallic threads at Hobianna are in Metallic Threads.