DMC is a popular brand of embroidery floss that is used by crafters worldwide. DMC floss comes in a wide range of colors, which are categorized into color families or groups. Understanding the different DMC color groups can help crafters pick the perfect shades for their projects.
What is DMC floss?
DMC floss is a high-quality, six-strand cotton embroidery thread that is made by the company DMC. Each skein of DMC floss contains 8 meters or 8.7 yards of floss. DMC floss is available in over 400 colors that crafters can use for embroidery, cross stitch, crochet, knitting, and other fiber arts.
Some key features of DMC embroidery floss include:
- Cotton fiber construction – DMC floss has a mercerized cotton fiber core that provides strength, luster, and durability.
- 6 ply strand – Each floss is composed of 6 loosely twisted strands that can be separated or used together.
- Color fastness – The dyed colors have excellent color fastness and resist fading.
- Variety of shades – DMC offers a wide spectrum of colors from subtle pastels to vivid brights.
- Uniform yardage – Each skein contains the same 8 meter length for consistency.
The high quality and broad selection of colors make DMC floss a top choice for embroidery and fiber arts projects. The color coding system allows for easy identification and coordination of shades.
DMC Color Groups Overview
DMC organizes its floss colors into 18 major color families or groups. While there are some overlaps, these groups help cluster shades that coordinate well together.
The main DMC color groups are:
- Reds
- Pinks
- Oranges
- Yellows
- Greens
- Blues
- Purples
- Browns
- Grays
- Blacks
- Whites
- Beige
- Specialty
- Variegated
- Neons
- Metallics
- Pearl Cottons
- Fuseables
Having a general sense of these color families can make it easier to browse the DMC selection and quickly pick shades for your project palette.
DMC Red Color Group
The DMC red color group contains vibrant shades of red, from pale rose to deep crimson. This group includes coral and reddish pink colors too. Some popular DMC shades in the red family include:
| DMC # | Color Name |
|---|---|
| 666 | Bright Red |
| 321 | Red |
| 304 | Red |
| 498 | Red |
| 347 | Salmon |
| 355 | Terra Cotta |
| 326 | Rose |
| 370 | Lipstick Red |
| 823 | Very Dark Carnation |
| 777 | Raspberry |
The red family can add vibrant, lively color to embroidery, cross stitch, knitting, crochet, and other projects. They are great for flowers, hats, bags, apparel, Christmas designs, and more. Mixing shades within the red group creates depth and visual interest.
DMC Pink Color Group
The pink color group from DMC has light, delicate pinks ranging to fuscias and magentas. Perfect for feminine projects, these pink hues include:
| DMC # | Color Name |
|---|---|
| 227 | Light Shell Pink |
| 226 | Shell Pink |
| 211 | Pink |
| 209 | Lavender |
| 168 | Pink |
| 197 | Pumpkin |
| 745 | Topaz |
| 647 | Baby Pink |
| 712 | Cream |
| 3326 | Rose |
Pretty in projects like baby items, feminine fashion, floral designs, and more, DMC’s pink group can create a soft, romantic look. Combining light and dark pinks makes projects pop.
DMC Orange Color Group
The orange family from DMC has warm shades ranging from peach to deep orange. Great for autumn themes, these dynamic orange tones include:
| DMC # | Color Name |
|---|---|
| 752 | Topaz |
| 742 | Tangerine |
| 741 | Tangerine |
| 738 | Topaz |
| 702 | Chartreuse |
| 666 | Bright Red |
| 304 | Red |
| 445 | Pumpkin |
| 721 | Orange Spice |
| 976 | Pumpkin |
Orange hues are perfect for leaves, flowers, fruits, spicing up neutrals, and glowing effects on projects. They bring energy, warmth, and vibrance. Using lights, mediums, and darks creates depth.
DMC Yellow Color Group
Sunny yellows ranging from pastel to neon make up DMC’s yellow color family. These bright shades are perfect for spring and summer themes, including:
| DMC # | Color Name |
|---|---|
| 739 | Topaz |
| 743 | Yellow |
| 744 | Yellow |
| 727 | Topaz |
| 726 | Topaz |
| 725 | Topaz |
| 724 | Topaz |
| 406 | Celadon Green |
| 772 | Yellow |
| 154 | Lemon |
The yellow group adds cheerful color for flowers, nature scenes, baby items and more. Combining light and brighter yellows can make them pop! They work nicely with greens and blues.
DMC Green Color Group
From forest green to lime, DMC’s green family has a verdant spectrum of shades. Great for nature themes, these greens include:
| DMC # | Color Name |
|---|---|
| 996 | Electric Green |
| 894 | Emerald Green |
| 867 | Emerald Green |
| 798 | Delft Green |
| 792 | Emerald Green |
| 791 | Cornflower Blue |
| 689 | Pistachio Green |
| 972 | Nile Green |
| 500 | Green |
| 3862 | Celadon Green |
The green group has shades perfect for leaves, trees, plants and nature motifs. Combining greens with complementary blues and yellows really makes them stand out!
DMC Blue Color Group
Cool, calming blues make up this large DMC color family. Ranging from pastel sky blue to navy, popular blues include:
| DMC # | Color Name |
|---|---|
| 988 | Electric Blue |
| 803 | Delft Blue |
| 799 | Delft Blue |
| 793 | Cornflower Blue |
| 792 | Cornflower Blue |
| 789 | Cornflower Blue |
| 797 | Royal Blue |
| 962 | Celadon Green |
| 920 | Pistachio Green |
| 775 | Baby Blue |
Blue is perfect for floral, ocean scenes, apparel, fairy tales, and so much more. Contrasting light and dark blues creates lovely depth and dimension.
DMC Purple Color Group
From lavender to violet, DMC’s purple group has a lovely spectrum. These majestic shades are ideal for feminine projects, fantasy themes, flowers and more:
| DMC # | Color Name |
|---|---|
| 211 | Lavender |
| 225 | Shell Pink |
| 227 | Shell Pink |
| 209 | Lavender |
| 209 | Shell Pink |
| 346 | Grape |
| 552 | Violet |
| 550 | Violet |
| 151 | Wisteria |
| 152 | Wisteria |
Purple complements many other colors including pinks, blues, and greens. Mixing light and dark shades creates a regal look.
DMC Brown Color Group
Earthy neutrals from tan to chocolate make up DMC’s brown family. Great for nature scenes, these versatile browns include:
| DMC # | Color Name |
|---|---|
| 945 | Golden Olive |
| 633 | Drab Brown |
| 632 | Desert Sand |
| 631 | Desert Sand |
| 618 | Bucksin |
| 954 | Mahogany |
| 838 | Cocoa |
| 839 | Brown Gray |
| 301 | Coffee Brown |
| 434 | Brown |
Earthy brown shades complement blues, greens, reds, pinks, and yellows nicely. They are perfect for nature, fall themes, furnishings, folk art and more!
DMC Gray Color Group
Subtle and sophisticated, DMC’s gray family ranges from silver to charcoal. These versatile neutrals include:
| DMC # | Color Name |
|---|---|
| 413 | Pewter Gray |
| 414 | Steel Gray |
| 415 | Pearl Gray |
| 316 | Steel Gray |
| 317 | Baby Blue |
| 318 | Steel Gray |
| 319 | Pewter Gray |
| 420 | Pewter Gray |