How to choose and combine DMC threads without losing your mind
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Standing in front of 286 thread colours and having to choose can feel a little dizzying. But don't worry: combining DMC threads is more about intuition than science, and a few ideas will get you there.
The number is king
Every DMC colour has a number, and that number never changes. Write down the ones you use in each project: when a shade runs out, you order the exact number and it arrives identical. No more "I think it was this blue".
How to combine without failing
- Shades of the same colour: three or four tones of the same blue (light to dark) add depth to flowers, skies and shadows.
- Warm with warm, cool with cool: reds, mustards and terracottas work together; so do blues, greens and lilacs. Mix the two worlds carefully.
- A neutral background: ecru, beige or soft grey make bright colours stand out.
The haberdashery trick
Before you start, lay the skeins you'll use side by side on the table, in daylight. If you like them there, you'll like them on the fabric. If one "clashes", swap it before stitching, not after.
Our online shop has the full DMC colour chart with a visual finder, so you can pick every shade calmly from your sofa.
