DMC and Anchor are the two dominant embroidery thread brands in cross stitch. Both produce quality six-strand cotton floss, but they differ in ways that matter to stitchers. Here is an honest comparison to help you decide which brand to use.

Brand Overview

DMC is a French company founded in 1746. Their embroidery floss line includes over 500 colors and is the global standard for cross stitch patterns. Most published patterns and apps specify DMC color codes.

Anchor is produced by Coats, a British textile company. Their floss line offers a comparable range of roughly 450 colors. Anchor is especially popular in the UK, Europe, and Australia.

Color Range

• DMC: ~500 colors — Slightly wider selection with some unique shades in the pastel and earth tone ranges
• Anchor: ~450 colors — Strong range that covers nearly all the same color families

In practice, both brands offer enough colors for any project. The differences are in specific shades — one brand may have a slightly warmer red or a cooler blue that the other lacks.

Availability

DMC is easier to find in North America. Most US and Canadian craft stores stock it extensively. Online availability is excellent worldwide.

Anchor is more common in UK and European shops. In North America, Anchor often needs to be ordered online or found at specialty needlework stores.

Price

Prices vary by region, but generally:

• DMC and Anchor are priced similarly for individual skeins
• Anchor occasionally runs slightly cheaper in European markets
• DMC is sometimes bundled in starter kits, making it the default for new stitchers

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Quality

Both brands produce excellent thread. Key quality points:

• Colorfastness — Both are colorfast and can be gently washed without bleeding
• Consistency — DMC has a slight edge in dye-lot consistency across production runs
• Texture — Some stitchers find Anchor slightly softer, while DMC has a subtle sheen
• Separation — Both separate into six individual strands cleanly

The quality difference is minimal. Most stitchers choose based on availability and habit rather than quality concerns.

Conversion Charts

Since patterns typically specify one brand, you will eventually need to convert between them. Conversion charts map DMC numbers to their closest Anchor equivalents and vice versa. Keep in mind:

• Conversions are approximate — colors may not match perfectly
• Some colors have no direct equivalent in the other brand
• It is best to compare threads in person when converting for an important project

Which Should You Start With?

If you are in North America, start with DMC. It is more widely available, and the vast majority of patterns — including those generated by StitchCraft — use DMC color codes. This means no conversion needed.

If you are in the UK or Europe, either brand works well. Anchor may be easier to source locally, and conversion charts will cover you when following DMC-based patterns.

Mixing Brands

You can use both brands in the same project. The thread weight and texture are close enough that the finished piece will look consistent. Just keep your color codes organized so you do not confuse the numbering systems.

Download StitchCraft from the App Store to generate patterns with accurate DMC color codes and thread quantity estimates.