Learn all about the different types of DMC embroidery floss

There are so many types of DMC embroidery floss that it can be dazzling at times.

We love to embroider with thread that is colorfast over time. That is why we choose to work with DMC. And it’s good to know they produce the high quality floss in France under controlled work conditions.

In this blog we explain the difference between the types of 6 stranded embroidery floss from DMC that come in skeins of 8 meters. Depending on your project you will use 1 to 6 strands at the same time. Read this blog to learn how many strands you need for your project

learn all about dmc embroidery floss

DMC 117 Mouliné Spécial

This is the most common DMC embroidery floss used for embroidery and cross stitch embroidery.

There are about 500 different colors of DMC 117 Mouliné Spécial available.

  • Made in France
  • 100% cotton
  • Sold per skein of 8 Meter (8.7 yd)
  • Each skein has 6 easily seperated strands, so you can customize its thickness.
  • Double mercerized
  • Can be washed
  • Color quality control – no difference between different dye baths
DMC Mouline cotton embroidery floss

DMC Color Variations Embroidery floss

This is a multi-colored six-strand thread with an over-dyed effect that creates subtle variations without having to change threads. The colors in each skein are blended to flow seamlessly into one another without producing harsh contrasts. The thread is 100% cotton and each skein has 8 meters (8.7 yards). Create a little color explosion on a piece of aida or linen fabric!

There are 60 different colors of DMC Color Variations, with equal qualities as the DMC 117 Mouliné Spécial.

  • Made in France
  • 100% cotton
  • Sold per skein of 8 Meter (8.7 yd)
  • Each skein has 6 easily seperated strands, so you can customize its thickness.
  • Double mercerized
  • Can be washed
  • Color quality control – no difference between different dye baths
dmc color variations

DMC Coloris Embroidery floss

High quality DMC Coloris Embroidery floss skeins. Made with 4 different teints combined in one floss. This is great floss for filling your work. Other than the DMC color Variantions thread, this floss has harsh changes of colors. So it is recommended to complete each cross stitch as you embroider your work.

There are 24 different colors of DMC Coloris, with equal qualities as the DMC 117 Mouliné Spécial.

  • Made in France
  • 100% cotton
  • Sold per skein of 8 Meter (8.7 yd)
  • Each skein has 6 easily seperated strands, so you can customize its thickness.
  • Double mercerized
  • Can be washed
  • Color quality control – no difference between different dye baths
dmc coloris embroidery floss skeins embroidery cotton

DMC Étoile Embroidery floss

The new DMC Étoile Mouline Embroidery floss has a wonderful sparkle. This is truly an innnovative embroidery floss! This floss is very fluffy and stitches easier than the metallic mouline. The sparkle is more subtle, and more like a twinkle here and there, rather then the bright sparkle of metallic mouline. You can learn more about DMC Étoile in this blog.

There are 35 different shades of DMC Étoile threads.

  • Made in France
  • Mix of 73% cotton and 27% lurex polyamide
  • Sold per skein of 8 Meter (8.7 yd)
  • Each skein has 6 easily seperated strands, so you can customize its thickness.
  • Can be washed
  • Color quality control – no difference between different dye baths.
  • You can use the DMC Étoile thread just like the regular DMC mouline.
  • We recommend that you use a bit of bees wax to make it even easier to stitch with this floss

You can use this floss to replace a regular mouline color in your cross stitch project. You can easily find the paring DMC mouline color. The numbers of the floss have an extra C in front of the normal stranded cotton number. So a C820 is the same marine blue as the regular DMC mouline 820, which we use frequently in our Stitch A Map projects.

DMC Light Effects Embroidery floss

DMC Light effects Embroidery floss gives your project a unique sparkle or shine. Sold per skein of 8 meters, with 6 easily seperatable strands. This special floss is made with 100% polyester yarn.

This floss tangles easily. Read this blog with tips for embroidering with metallic floss

There are 36 different colors of DMC Light effects. Including Glow in the Dark, Neon and lots of sparkling gold, greens and reds.

  • Made in France
  • 100% polyester
  • Sold per skein of 8 Meter (8.7 yd)
  • Each skein has 6 seperated strands, so you can customize its thickness.
  • Can be washed in lukewarm water
  • Tangles easily. We recommend to use Bees Wax to make it smoother.
  • Color quality control – no difference between different dye baths
dmc light effects floss

DMC Mouliné Satin

DMC Satin floss has a lustrous sheen, and is ideal for embroidery, cross stitch and counted thread work. This range, launched by DMC in November 2007, supercedes the DMC Rayon range. Compared to the Rayon range, this thread has less bounce and holds together better, making it easier to use.

There are 60 different colors of DMC Satin floss.

  • Made in France
  • 100% rayon
  • Sold per skein of 8 Meter (8.7 yd)
  • Each skein has 6 easily seperated strands, so you can customize its thickness.
  • Can be washed multiple times at 60° C/140° F
  • Color quality control – no difference between different dye baths
DMC Satin embroidery floss

Pro tips: How to use DMC embroidery floss

To avoid tangling your floss pull your floss as shown on the picture.

Lay the floss skein down on a table with the DMC logo on top and the color number down. You will notice that your skein has two ends. Gently pull the end that is close to the floss color number.

How to pull DMC embroidery floss the right way

Thread your floss with bees wax to make it smoother. Especially useful when working with Lights Effects Embroidery Floss or Étoile floss.

Of course you can save your embroidery floss in skeins, but did you see these fun ways to display your embroidery floss stash?

standing-floss-dolly-pins