What Is DMC Floss and Why the World Standard?

DMC floss is a 6-strand mercerised embroidery thread made in France since 1746 from 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton. Because the strands separate one by one, the same skein serves for 2–3 strands in cross stitch and 1–6 in embroidery; mercerisation gives the thread a silky sheen and high colourfastness, so it neither fades nor runs in the wash. The great majority of cross stitch charts and kits worldwide are keyed to DMC colour codes, which is why DMC floss is the shared language of needlework: you find the exact code on the chart.

DMC Floss Ranges at Hobianna

This category holds DMC's whole floss family as originals: the 500 colours of the classic DMC 117 Mouliné Spécial range (8 m skeins), high-sheen DMC Satin, Color Variations and Coloris with colour changes in one skein, light-to-dark Variegated and untwisted, matt Floche (Cotton Floche). Metallic DMC Light Effects, Etoile and Diamant are in the Metallic Threads category; single-strand Pearl Cotton and DMC Tapestry Wool are listed in their own categories.

The DMC Colour Card and Code System

DMC colours are identified by numbers from 1 to 3899 and by names such as B5200 (bright white), Blanc and Ecru. As numbers follow historical order rather than colour family, choosing from the shade card is the safest way; the light-to-dark steps of one family are usually consecutive (for example the blues 3325–334–322–312). If you work from Anchor or Madeira charts use a DMC conversion chart, and for shades that do not match exactly take the background colours from one brand. On the site, type the colour number into the search box to reach the skein directly.

How Many Strands, How Many Skeins?

Use 2 strands on 14 ct aida (3 for a fuller look), 2 on 16–18 ct, 3–4 on 11 ct, 2 strands over 2 threads on 28–32 ct evenweave. One 8 m skein with 2 strands on 14 ct covers about 15×15 cm, that is 1,700 stitches of filled area. Divide the symbol count on the chart by this value to work out skeins and buy one extra of the background colours; as dye lots can differ slightly, buy the thread for large areas at the same time.

How to Use and Store DMC Floss

Cut 45–50 cm from the skein, separate the strands one by one and recombine the number needed; this makes the thread lie flat and look full. Use bobbins or organizer cards marked with the DMC number for each colour and keep leftovers in a numbered storage box. Wash the finished piece by hand in warm water with mild detergent, dry without wringing and iron from the back; DMC colours do not run in this process.