How to keep track of your DMC threads

DMC thread spreadsheet free download by Lord Libidan

20/08/201924/07/2019 ~ LordLibidan ~ Leave a comment

With over 500 basic threads, and 50 varigated, variations, coloris and etoile threads its hard to keep track of which threads you have, and which you don’t (and don’t get us started on the discontinued threads). Even those who have a full set of DMC threads, still have spares we need to track (no one wants hordes of one color). So how exactly can you go about tracking which threads you have, and how many?

In short, there are two distinct ways; a spreadsheet, and a tracker. We’re going over both here, and we’ll give you multiple options.

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets are great for tracking things, so its no wonder you can find frankly hundreds online for DMC threads. You need to be carefull that you’re picking up a recent one, especially with the 35 new DMC threads that came out in 2017; most don’t have these on! The spreadsheet used to be PC only, and for many, that’s still how they’re mostly used, you you can set one up with a gmail account, and you can access the spreadsheet on the go with googledocs. It might not be as user friendly when you’re out and about, but its a great visual representation of what you do, and do not have.
We’d suggest our new one, which includes nice colors to go with everything too.

Direct download link

Trackers

When it comes to trackers, you’ll be using a phone, or ipad/tablet. Once you’ve located a device of choice, you can pick your app. Now, some do more than just track threads, which is what makes these great, but the big plus is that they’re avaliable on the go. You can simply pull out your phone when you’re at the store and you can make sure you’re not getting duplicates.

iPhone

Thread Tracker 117 ($1) – 7/10

Based on 14 reviews
For a dollar, it’s hard to say anything bad about this app, however in reality, it’s just a spreadsheet to track which DMC threads you have. The advantage, and the thing that makes this app so successful is you can import list of colors needed for your next project, and the app works out which ones you need. Next time you’re in a store, pull the app out and the list is there straight away. Of all the apps on the list, this is the one I personally use the most.

iPad

X-Stitch ($3) – 9/10

Based on 27 reviews
Similar to Thread Tracker 117 this app not only tracks threads, but aida, needles, charts and other tools. It’s “need to buy” feature not only works well, but it reads your charts and patterns to give you lists of threads needed for each project too!

Android

Cross Stitch Thread Organizer ($1) – 8/10

Based on 30 reviews
Doing exactly what it says on the tin, Cross Stitch Thread Organizer orders your threads with to-buy lists, current stock, and warns you if you’re running low on a thread and a future project needs it. There are a lot of other apps doing exactly this, however what makes this app fantastic is the constant upgrades, and a really devoted developer who can be found on reddit daily.

PC

Stitchingly (FREE) – 8/10

Based on 12 reviews
Basically a fancy version of a spreadsheet, Stitchingly combines a few cross stitch tools into one dashboard, including a thread tracker. In addition to the simple act of tracking threads, it also allows you to upload patterns and track which threads you need to buy for that pattern, based on what you already have. Very clever.

The Best FlossTube Channels

13/08/201922/08/2019 ~ LordLibidan ~ Leave a comment

We round up some of the best flosstubers around as submitted by our users, ordered by follower count.

Review	Followers
Cross Stitch With Luda A Ukranian cross stitcher, Luda posts every video in both English and her native Ukrainian. The videos are informative, well lit, professionally filmed and have a vlog feel about them.	19,000
Priscilla & Chelsea The dual cross stitchers Priscilla & Chelsea not only have a flosstube once a week, but also feature smaller videos on fancy floss. They work together fantastically, and always answer questions from the comments; there is a real community here.	14,000
Vonna Pfeiffer Vonna, or the Twisted Stitcher as many know her, posts once a month, and whilst more structured as others on this list, so much happens in Vonna’s life that its always packed with cross stitch and information!	12,000
Carolyn Mazzeo Carolyn sadly hasn’t posted in some time, but her back catalogue of videos is a gold mine of information and HAED accomplishments and as a result still deserves a place on our list.	10,000
JustKeepStitchin’ Speaking quickly, but with a great level of energy and a good look at their cross stitch worlds, JustKeepStitching have weekly flosstubes.	7,000
Off the Grid Needlearts Not just Flosstube videos, but a whole bunch of cross stitch goodness through the week. Her “stitch with me” series once a week is also a great way to calm down whilst cross stitching yourself.	6,500
KittenStitcher A little more personal and less glitzy than some on this list, the KittenStitcher gives a really good insight into her cross stitch world, whilst talking about some of the weirder things in her life. Also, its cat heavy.	6,000
Stitchin’ Mommy Shorter weekly videos with a real mix of cross stitch from super traditional to super modern, small to massive. A great flosstuber, who also designs patterns you can stitch along with.	5,800
Nicole’s Needlework Shorter episodes with a traditional cross stitch heavy offering, with a great mix of samplers, challenges and chat.	5,700
Ginger Gerald Stitcher The first male cross stitcher on the list, Gerald is young, has a high level of production value, and are really great videos. However unlike others, his videos are usually sub-15 minutes.	5,600
lindystitches A very well lit flosstube offering allows you to see a lot more of the stitches than others on the list. It tends to be almost 100% cross stitch, with no life stories, but that allows lindystitches to pack her videos with tips, tricks, info, and techniques you might not be used to.	5,400
Cathy Habermann A fortnightly update, Cathy gives you an insight into the world of a designer, instead of a standard stitcher. If you’ve ever wanted to know what its like for a designer, Cathy is a great place to start.	5,000
YannyStitcher All videos are in Spanish, with most being re-released in English as well. The videos tend to focus more on the threads, tools and techniques used rather than completions or starts.	5,000
Jessie Marie Does Stuff A mixed bag of tips, challenges and other topics, Jessie Marie tends to stick to large projects and stitches on the back of challenges and tasks on a monthly basis to keep lots of projects going at once.	4,900
Stitching In Sequins Despite the name, there really isn’t much sequin chat, and is purely cross stitch and related topics. A mix of very short and longer videos. Tends to shift between traditional and modern stitches meaning you get a great variance of content.	4,700
Jan Hicks Jan posts daily cross stitch videos, which cover a whole raft of topics, but also includes a flosstube every month too.	4,500
Stitching Jules A little more standard as flosstube videos go, Jules takes us through her world of truly epic cross stitches.	4,500
Kindred Stitcher Focusing on traditional cross stitch with occasional guest stars.	4,300
Stitch ALL The Things A weekly flosstube, with more than just cross stitch. She also has a seriously good craft space behind her.	4,200
halfstitch cross stitch A slightly different take on flossstube, she records a small segment every day, and combines them for a weekly cross stitch update.	4,000
blitstitch The second male on our list, a fairly traditional cross stitch floss tube, with a good amount of stitch goodness.	3,500
Julie McConnell A flosstube channel from an avoid cross stitcher, but also a cross stitch shop owner.	3,500
Gulf Coast Stitcher A weekly update from a cross stitch pattern seller, with a verge towards traditional.	3,000
Michelle Bendy Stitchy Probably the youngest person on this list, Michelle has a great flosstube with multiple camera angles to give close up shots.	2,600
Shirl McKinney Tranquil Stitches Shirl creates videos on a weekly basis usually, however also includes a series of smaller segments throughout the week.	2,500
Sunshine Stitchers Sunshine stitchers follows the stitching activity of a whole group of cross stitchers, with three mixed sex presenters most weeks.	2,300
Lost in Floss Fairly new to the youtube scene lost in floss create monthly video updates.	2,300
Jen Lee A fairly new channel, Jen updates us once a month with her new projects, and has more than most people on the go at once.	2,200
Gemstitch A British flosstuber with a traditional edge. Also includes a lot of her life as well as cross stitch.	2,200
Javagirl Stitches Very very new to youtube, yet a fantastic repour with the camera.	2,100
CraftyCreative Clare Short videos, but a detailed look at her cross stitch world.	1,300

Think we’re missing a good flosstube?

All of the channels featured above post regularly (once a month minimum over the last year), and their content is about cross stitch at least 75% of the time. All flosstubers have been submitted by our users and must have at least 1000 followers on their main video platform.

Full List of Discontinued DMC Threads

Discontinued US only DMC threads (source: 123stitch.com)

06/08/201907/08/2019 ~ LordLibidan ~ 2 Comments

With the DMC company being in operation for well over 270 years, its no wonder that they’ve had to discontinue a few threads. And whilst we’ve looked into the reasons DMC threads have been discontinued I couldn’t find a full list anywhere. So, please find attached list, with replacements (if there is one):

57 (variegated) no replacement
103 (variegated) no replacement

504 replaced with 3813
731 replaced with 732
776 replaced with 3326
781 replaced with 782
971 replaced with 740
806 replaced with 3760
868 replaced with 801

3773* replaced with 407
3880* replaced with 223
3881* replaced with 164
3882* replaced with 839
3883* replaced with 722
3884* replaced with 535
3885* replaced with 312
3886* replaced with 3685
3887* replaced with 208
3888* replaced with 3740
3889* replaced with 445
3890* replaced with 3766
3891* replaced with 995
3892* replaced with 740
3893* replaced with 543
3894* replaced with 907
3895* replaced with 646

4000 (variegated) no replacement
4017 (variegated) no replacement
4022 (variegated) no replacement
4042 (variegated) no replacement
4047 (variegated) no replacement
4066 (variegated) no replacement
4068 (variegated) no replacement
4069 (variegated) no replacement
4072 (variegated) no replacement
4073 (variegated) no replacement
4095 (variegated) no replacement
4122 (variegated) no replacement
4129 (variegated) no replacement
4135 (variegated) no replacement
4205 (variegated) no replacement
4211 (variegated) no replacement
4212 (variegated) no replacement
4214 (variegated) no replacement
4237 (variegated) no replacement
4245 (variegated) no replacement
4250 (variegated) no replacement
4255 (variegated) no replacement
4260 (variegated) no replacement
4265 (variegated) no replacement

5269 replaced with E699
5270 replaced with E815
5272 replaced with E5200
5279 replaced with E301
5282 replaced with E3821
5283 replaced with E168
5284 replaced with E3852
5287 replaced with E317
5288 replaced with E316
5289 replaced with E3837
5290 replaced with E3843

* These threads aren’t officially discontinued, however they are only avaliable in the US and Australia, and mostly sold in packs. You can still pick these up individually from the DMC US website though.

Need a DMC thread card with the new colors? We have you covered.

DMC Variegated Threads and their Corresponding Colors in Solids

30/07/201913/06/2019 ~ LordLibidan ~ 1 Comment

Using threads from the DMC variegated range can really make a project, but what happens if you’re a little short, or you want to make use of one color in particular? Well, we have you covered.

Below you’ll find each of the DMC variegated threads, with their corresponding solid colors broken out.

Looking for the DMC variations range broken out or the DMC coloris range broken out?

DMC Coloris Threads and their Corresponding Colors in Solids

30/07/201913/06/2019 ~ LordLibidan ~ Leave a comment

The new coloris range of DMC threads are some of the most exciting things to come out of DMC for years (other than the 35 new DMC threads), however using them can be a bit daunting. So we’ve broken out all the coloris threads, with each of the solid colors that make up the design.

Looking for the DMC variegated range broken out or possibly the DMC variation threads broken out. We got you covered.

DMC Variation Threads and their Corresponding Colors in Solids

30/07/201913/06/2019 ~ LordLibidan ~ Leave a comment

The DMC variation range of threads are some of the most exciting threads DMC have produced to date, but sometimes having the colors change on their own really gets in the way. So we’ve broken out the current range with their corresponding solid colors, so you can keep stitching with the color you want, without breaking the over all look.

DMC Threads Variations Breakout 1of2 by Lord Libidan

If you’re thinking “but the number I want isn’t on the list!”, don’t worry! You’ve probably got one of the discontinued variation threads, which we’ve also broken out for you!

Looking for the DMC variegated range broken out or possibly the DMC Coloris threads broken out. We got you covered.

Discontinued DMC Variations Threads and their Corresponding Colors in Solids

30/07/201913/06/2019 ~ LordLibidan ~ Leave a comment

Sometimes, the discontined DMC ranges really hold some great threads, and the DMC variations range, which was partially disconinuted in 2013, held some great threads. Ever wanted to bring them back? Well as with all of the variations range, they’re made up of seperate block colors. So we’ve broken out each discontinued variations thread with their solid colors, so you can recreate some of the best threads DMC ever made.

DMC Threads Variations Discontinued Breakout 1of2 by Lord Libidan

If you’re thinking “but the number I want isn’t on the list!”, don’t worry! You’ve probably got one of the current range variation threads, which we’ve also broken out for you!

Why You Need a DMC Color Card

23/07/201929/06/2019 ~ LordLibidan ~ Leave a comment

When it comes to threads, we all want that elusive full set of DMC threads, but for those us who aren’t so lucky, there is another thing you might want; a DMC color card. In fact, those who have all the threads often have one anyway, and they’re so useful! But why exactly?

What Type Of Color Card?

First off, lets talk about what type of color card we mean. There are basically, three types; online, printed and threaded. We want the threaded one. The online and printed ones are great, but each computer screen shows off the colors slightly differently. In fact, scanners and cameras take slightly different photos too, meaning they are never perfect. We put hours and hours into making the best online DMC thread color chart we could, however we started with a threaded version. Its the best. You can pick one up on Etsy however if you can’t pick one up right now, an online one like ours will still help you!

When To Use One

Unless you’ve used one before, it might seem like a little costly extra that really isn’t needed for most cross stitchers, however a thread color card is frankly, one of the most useful objects in cross stitch.
We’ve made a little list, but frankly, there would be LOADS of other reasons too (I pick mine up almost daily):

Designing your own pattern

When designing your own pattern, even if you put an image through an online pattern creator, the colors never, and I really mean never, come out correct. Normally they are pretty good, but hand picking colors ALWAYS makes the pattern better. The shade card not only has every color, but blocks them out in color families, meaning you can compare the slight differences in each color with ease.

When you change a color in your cross stitch pattern

We recently posted a blog on changing a colors on a cross stitch pattern and the first thing we say, is get a thread card. If you plan to change a color in your pattern you need to pick the exact color from the right family. For example, if your pattern has loads of deep colors, you want to make sure you pick a new color that is also dark, instead of something too bright that will stand out…

Red Bonsai Tree with shades broken out and replacement greens picked

When you don’t have the right color and you need to make a substitution

Let’s be honest, we’ve all had to make a substitution in the past. You don’t have all the threads, or the store is closed and you want to finish, well, what are you going to do? Pick a color and hope? A color card allows you to pick the perfect replacement to one you own.

Changing hair/skin tones

We have two tools on the site a find a perfect skin tone thread guide and a find a perfect hair color thread guide however both of these use online representations of color. If you plan to pick hair/skin tones based on real world examples, a color chart can allow you to compare the real hair/skin with the threads, so you get the PERFECT color, every time.

Skin Tone Cross Stitch Thread Table by Lord Libidan

When you want to match a DMC color to a different brand

There are loads of online guides on converting one brand from another, in fact, we have a massive 9 brand thread conversion chart on the site, however picking your color isn’t always as simple as the table suggests. In reality, each brand has slightly different colors, and whilst tables like ours makes the job much easier to compare, your pattern might call for slightly different shades.

Buying threads online

Most people buy threads online now, and whilst that is great if you have a nice list of numbers to buy, it isn’t so great if you need a whole string of shades and you don’t know the numbers. Online representations are never correct, and as we’ve said up above, there are close images, the only way to see it, is a color card.

Matching embroidery threads to embelishments

I personally stick with just cross stitch and backstitch, but I know a lot of people who add beads and other things to their cross stitch. However no one wants a bead in a weird color taking the focus away from your work. You want something that compliments. Take your shade card to the store and pick the perfect color beads and embelishments.

Matching the threads to something else

This is a slightly vague title, but lets say you want a specific color aida so you don’t have to stitch massive background areas in, or you want to stitch on top of a painted object, or want the threads to be inkeeping with the theme of the room. How are you going to match them up? Sadly, the names for threads aren’t the names for aida or paint. Picking the right shade of aida might make your job a lot easier, but only if you get the right shade, otherwise its pointless.

Large Cross Stitch Art in a study (Source: CBC.ca)

Care instructions

I know, this one seems a little odd, right? Well sadly, this is something a lot of people miss out on. You see, not all threads are the same. Many have different care instructions. Whilst DMC have a uniform care instructions across their brand, others don’t. This is often why you get rumors of running colors on cheaper embroidery threads. Don’t want your threads to run? Check the care instructions.

Cross Stitch Recognition

National Needlecraft Awards 2019 won by Lord Libidan

16/07/201929/06/2019 ~ LordLibidan ~ Leave a comment

Recognition in cross stitch is a hard topic to talk about. For many, recognition is something that rarely comes, for others it seems like they’re drowning in compliments, and for others its still seen as a little bit taboo.
When I first started my cross stitch journey, cross stitch for men simply wasn’t a thing, it was taboo. Whilst I tried to open up the world too men in cross stitch it took a long time to get accepted in the mainstream. Even now, I regularly see posts on cross stitch facebook groups asking do men really cross stitch?. Thankfully, men stitching is now not only fully accepted, but people seek out male stitchers as they bring something new to the craft. But for many men, young people, and even those who aren’t aware of cross stitch communities online, don’t get as much recognition as they should.
So if this is you, or someone you know, how about looking in some of these places?

Online Communities

The first place to look for recognition is an online community. To some extent, on the internet, you’re faceless, and so you can proudly show off your work without anyone knowing its you. Aternatively, if you’re happy to be named, you can join the literal hundreds of thousands of cross stitchers who call the internet their home.
We devoted a whole blog post to the best online cross stitch forums however that isn’t the only place. In fact, Instagram’s #crossstitchersofinstagram is one of the largest communities out there. Get sharing, and you will see just how open people are to you.

View this post on Instagram

Run Pikachu Run! This animated cross stitch took me forever… Pattern by Lord Libidan #crossstitch #crossstitchersofinstagram #pokemon

A post shared by Lord Libidan (@lordlibidan) on May 29, 2019 at 10:15am PDT

Fairs

I recently moved from the city, to the country, and without a doubt, the country loves fairs. In ever one, there is ALWAYS a craft section, with cross stitch normally having its own category. The great thing about this is you also get to hide your face. I personally like camping out by my cross stitch to hear people’s comments as they walk by. But for a more official reason, they also give out awards!

Washington State Fair 2018 (Source: thefair.com)

Awards & Galleries

I know what you’re going to say; awards and galleries seem like they’re an impossible dream? Well, the answer will probably suprise you; you can enter a dozen awards right now, and there is no reason not to.
This isn’t about me, but I’m a good example of an award winner; I’ve won about 20 awards now, and I’ve even got a couple of glass awards on my mantlepiece, however I won most of these in the first 3 years I was stitching. In fact, most of them were won for stitching that wasn’t my own design; I used a pattern.

You see, most people thing that awards are only for the best of the best, and that access is blocked off for the mere mortals of the cross stitch world. That simply isn’t the case. The most recent award I won (the National Needlecraft Awards) is open to anyone, of any level. I was up against massive companies, but at the same time, simple hobby stitchers. I won one, I lost 2, but there was a trend that emerged; hobbyist were winning just as much as the big players in cross stitch.
But that doesn’t mean you have to go massive either. Try starting with online competitions like the DeviantART group StitchingPirates who have one every month!

I’ll wrap up by saying that the cross stitch community all over the world is an accepting place; we’ve all been a new stitcher, we’ve all kept our hobby secret at some point; and I’ve never seen someone be nasty about someone else’s cross stitch; ever.

Cross Stitch Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

09/07/201905/08/2019 ~ LordLibidan ~ Leave a comment

I often speak about changing cross stitch patterns, and how you’d get to a point where you’d see a dress in a pattern and would want to change the color, or want to change the skin tone threads or hair threads to something more realistic. However, a lot of people are scared. They don’t know where to start, and often see big designs online and don’t know how to get there. So what should you do first?

Start small

I regularly get contacted about where to start with pattern making. Thanks to some advanced cross stitch designing programs, it looks like you need to know a whole tome of information to make a pattern, but that’s not the case. In fact, changing colors on a pattern is not only super simple, but you don’t have to go crazy. We covered changing colors on a cross stitch pattern a few weeks ago, but it can be a super small, super simple change that allows you to do make a pattern unique. Start with a dress color, move onto a skin tone or a hair color. See just how easy it is to make cross stitch yours.

Get more adventurous

By this point, you should understand simple color changes. But you don’t have to graduate straight away to something super complicated. Instead, go crazy with color changes.
The pattern below, by PatternArtCollection on Etsy is a great pattern, but they sell it in two different color tones. This, is something ANYONE can do. By purchasing the pattern, you can edit as you see fit, and by adapting whole color spectrums, even every color on the pattern, you can totally change the tone of the work. The one on the right to me looks like night, and the one on the right like day. Yet despite this, the colors aren’t what you’d see in either situation, no, instead one is purple and one is orange.

Mix items/pattern parts

But then what? This, is what I love.
By taking parts of patterns, and using them together, you can create something truly custom. Something that whilst coming from various places, can be 100% your work. There are even books like, Lizzy Dabczynski’s Do-It-Yourself Stitch People Book which allows you to take tiny parts and combine them into one, creating a unique person, ever time. This harks back to some of the previous things you might be doing too. Changing skin colors, or hair colors, or dress colors, are exactly the things you’ll be done. But you’ll also be picking outfits, faces, hair cuts and beyond.

Do-It-Yourself Stitch People Book by Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean (source: stitchpeople.com)

What about copyright?

That said, what about copyright? We cross stitch and copyright is something every cross stitcher should be aware of and frankly, its every cross stitcher’s duty to care about copyright. So how does that impact what you’re doing here? Well, not much.
You see, once you purchase a pattern you have right to do it as you wish. Want to change colors? That’s fine! Want to chop, change, add, subtract, anything? Sure!
The issue, is when you try to sell the pattern (or even give it away free). The pattern, even in its edited state, is still owned by the original creator. If you want to open your own store with your own patterns, or give them away free, you NEED to use your own work.
Also, its always nice to give some cross stitch recognition.

Lord Libidan

Cross Stitch Tools, Tips, Insights, Reviews and Inspiration

Blog

How to keep track of your DMC threads

Spreadsheets

Trackers

iPhone

iPad

Android

PC

The Best FlossTube Channels

Full List of Discontinued DMC Threads

DMC Variegated Threads and their Corresponding Colors in Solids

DMC Coloris Threads and their Corresponding Colors in Solids

DMC Variation Threads and their Corresponding Colors in Solids

Discontinued DMC Variations Threads and their Corresponding Colors in Solids

Why You Need a DMC Color Card

What Type Of Color Card?

When To Use One

Designing your own pattern

When you change a color in your cross stitch pattern

When you don’t have the right color and you need to make a substitution

Changing hair/skin tones

When you want to match a DMC color to a different brand

Buying threads online

Matching embroidery threads to embelishments

Matching the threads to something else

Care instructions

Cross Stitch Recognition

Online Communities

Fairs

Awards & Galleries

Cross Stitch Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

Start small

Get more adventurous

Mix items/pattern parts

What about copyright?