Full Official List of Discontinued DMC Threads

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With the DMC thread company being in operation for well over 270 years, it’s 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 the attached list, with replacements (if there is one):
Updated September 2025

 

Discontinued Solid Color Threads

Number Name Replacement When Discontinued
222 Shell Pink 221 1954-58
303 Medium Dark Red 304 1954-58
401 Mahogany 402 1954-58
434 Coffee Latte 3045 1954-58
473 Very Ultra Light Avocado Green 472 1954-58
474 Ultra Dark Deep Blue 823 1954-58
475 Very Dark Deep Blue 820 1954-58
476 Deep Blue 336 1954-58
477 Medium Deep Blue 791 1954-58
478 Light Deep Blue 792 1954-58
479 Very Light Deep Blue 156 1954-58
504 Blue Green 3813 1996
516 Deep Royal Blue 796 Unknown Date
591 Very Dark Teal Blue 3808 1954-58
614 Extreme Light Drab Brown 613 Unknown Date
724 Winnie The Pooh Gold no replacement 2013
731 Olive Green 732 1996
771 Sunshine 744 Unknown Date
776 Medium Pink 3326 1996
781 Very Dark Topaz 782 1996
806 Dark Peacock Blue 3760 1996
868 Dark Coffee Brown 801 1996
896 Ultra Very Light Dusty Rose 963 1954-58
929 Bright Antique Blue 3750 1954-58
971 Pumpkin 740 1996
974 Winnie The Pooh Gold 2 no replacement 2013
3367 Dark Garnet 814 1954-58
3684 Extremely Dark Garnet 902 1954-58
3773 Dark Desert Sand 407 2013
3880 Medium Shell Pink 3722 2013
3881 Pine Green 3364 2013
3882 Dark Coffee Brown 801 2013
3883 Light Orange Spice 722 2013
3884 Dark Tin 04 2013
3885 Very Dark Baby Blue 312 2013
3886 Very Dark Fuchsia 35 2013
3887 Ultra Dark Lavender 3837 2013
3888 Medium Antique Violet 3041 2013
3889 Light Lemon 445 2013
3890 Light Bright Turquoise 3846 2013
3891 Dark Bright Turquoise 3844 2013
3892 Light Pumpkin 970 2013
3893 Ultra Very Light Beige Brown 543 2013
3894 Light Parrot Green 907 2013
3895 Light Beaver Gray 648 2013

Discontinued Variegated Threads

Number Name Replacement When Discontinued
48 Variegated – Baby Pink no replacement 1996
49 Variegated – Burnt Sage no replacement 1996
51 Variegated – Burnt Orange no replacement 1996
52 Variegated – Violet no replacement 1996
53 Variegated – Steel Gray no replacement 1996
57 Variegated – Red no replacement 1996
61 Variegated – Topaz no replacement 1996
62 Variegated – Dusty Rose no replacement 1996
67 Variegated – Baby Blue no replacement 1996
69 Variegated – Terra Cotta no replacement 1996
75 Variegated – Cranberry no replacement 1996
90 Variegated – Yellow no replacement 1996
91 Variegated – Turquoise no replacement 1996
92 Variegated – Avocado no replacement 1996
93 Variegated – Cornflower Blue no replacement 1996
94 Variegated – Khaki Green no replacement 1996
95 Variegated – Purple no replacement 1996
99 Variegated – Mauve no replacement 1996
101 Variegated – Spring Green no replacement 1996
102 Variegated – Dark Violet no replacement 1996
103 Variegated – Royal Blue no replacement 1996
104 Variegated – Lemon no replacement 1996
105 Variegated – Tan Brown no replacement 1996
106 Variegated – Coral no replacement 1996
107 Variegated – Carnation no replacement 1996
108 Variegated – Yellow Orange no replacement 1996
111 Variegated – Mustard no replacement 1996
112 Variegated – Salmon no replacement 1996
113 Variegated – Wedgewood Blue no replacement 1996
114 Variegated – Lime Green no replacement 1996
115 Variegated – Garnet no replacement 1996
116 Variegated – Cyclamen Pink no replacement 1996
121 Variegated – Delft Blue no replacement 1996
122 Variegated – Olive Green no replacement 1996
123 Variegated – Teal no replacement 1996
124 Variegated – Periwinkle no replacement 1996
125 Variegated – Seafoam Green no replacement 1996
126 Variegated – Lavender no replacement 1996
127 Variegated – Just Cross Stitch no replacement 2013
4000 Variegated – Espresso no replacement 2013-14
4017 Variegated – Polar Ice no replacement 2013-14
4022 Variegated – Mediterranean Sea no replacement 2013-14
4042 Variegated – Very Merry no replacement 2013-14
4047 Variegated – Emerald no replacement 2013-14
4066 Variegated – Amazon Moss no replacement 2013-14
4068 Variegated – Camouflage no replacement 2013-14
4069 Variegated – Margarita no replacement 2013-14
4072 Variegated – Toasted Almond no replacement 2013-14
4073 Variegated – Buttercup no replacement 2013-14
4095 Variegated – Cupcake no replacement 2013-14
4122 Variegated – Fall Harvest no replacement 2013-14
4129 Variegated – Peanut Brittle no replacement 2013-14
4135 Variegated – Terra Cotta no replacement 2013-14
4205 Variegated – Caliente no replacement 2013-14
4211 Variegated – Azalea no replacement 2013-14
4212 Variegated – Mixed Berries no replacement 2013-14
4214 Variegated – Cotton Candy no replacement 2013-14
4237 Variegated – Laguna Blue no replacement 2013-14
4245 Variegated – Mystical Midnight no replacement 2013-14
4250 Variegated – Berry Parfait no replacement 2013-14
4255 Variegated – Orchid no replacement 2013-14
4260 Variegated – Enchanted no replacement 2013-14
4265 Variegated – Purple Pansy no replacement 2013-14
5269 Variegated – Green Emerald E699 2000
5270 Variegated – Dark Red Ruby E815 2000
5272 Variegated – Bright White E5200 2000
5279 Variegated – Copper E301 2000
5282 Variegated – Light Gold E3821 2000
5283 Variegated – Silver E168 2000
5284 Variegated – Dark Gold E3852 2000
5287 Variegated – Titanium E317 2000
5288 Variegated – Pink Amethyst E316 2000
5289 Variegated – Purple Ruby E3837 2000
5290 Variegated – Light Blue Sapphire E3843 2000

Discontinued Metallic Threads

Number Name Replacement When Discontinued
E131 Metallic – Carnivale Fun no replacement 2013
E133 Metallic – Midnight Madness no replacement 2013
E136 Metallic – Emerald Isle no replacement 2013
E138 Metallic – Opalescent Rays no replacement 2013
E140 Metallic – Tropical Delight no replacement 2013
E141 Metallic – Holiday Sparkle no replacement 2013
E144 Metallic – Majestic Metals no replacement 2013
E146 Metallic – Caribbean Ripples no replacement 2013
E148 Metallic – Purple Essence no replacement 2013
E150 Metallic – Deep Water Blue no replacement 2013
E152 Metallic – Pink Shimmer no replacement 2013
E154 Metallic – All That Jazz no replacement 2013
E170 Metallic – White Silver no replacement 2013
E305 Metallic – Titanium no replacement 2013
E3821 Metallic – Straw Gold no replacement 2013
E3868 Metallic – Light Silver no replacement 2013
E3870 Metallic – Bronze Gold no replacement 2013

Discontinued Rayon Threads

Number Name Replacement When Discontinued
30300 Rayon – Very Dark Mahogany no replacement 2013
30301 Rayon – Medium Mahogany no replacement 2013
30307 Rayon – Lemon S307 2013
30310 Rayon – Black S310 2013
30326 Rayon – Very Dark Rose S326 2013
30336 Rayon – Navy Blue S336 2013
30351 Rayon – Coral S351 2013
30352 Rayon – Light Coral S352 2013
30434 Rayon – Light Brown S434 2013
30435 Rayon – Very Light Brown no replacement 2013
30469 Rayon – Avocado Green S469 2013
30501 Rayon – Dark Blue Green S501 2013
30503 Rayon – Medium Blue Green no replacement 2013
30504 Rayon – Light Blue Green S504 2013
30543 Rayon – Ultra Very Light Beige Brown no replacement 2013
30550 Rayon – Very Dark Violet S550 2013
30552 Rayon – Medium Violet S552 2013
30553 Rayon – Violet S553 2013
30554 Rayon – Light Violet no replacement 2013
30580 Rayon – Dark Moss Green no replacement 2013
30601 Rayon – Dark Cranberry S601 2013
30602 Rayon – Medium Cranberry S602 2013
30606 Rayon – Bright Orange Red S606 2013
30666 Rayon – Bright Red S666 2013
30676 Rayon – Light Old Gold S676 2013
30702 Rayon – Kelly Green S702 2013
30712 Rayon – Cream S712 2013
30726 Rayon – Light Topaz S726 2013
30742 Rayon – Light Tangerine no replacement 2013
30744 Rayon – Pale Yellow S744 2013
30797 Rayon – Royal Blue S797 2013
30798 Rayon – Dark Delft Blue S798 2013
30799 Rayon – Medium Delft Blue S799 2013
30813 Rayon – Light Blue no replacement 2013
30814 Rayon – Dark Garnet no replacement 2013
30818 Rayon – Baby Pink S818 2013
30820 Rayon – Very Dark Royal Blue S820 2013
30824 Rayon – Very Dark Blue no replacement 2013
30839 Rayon – Dark Beige Brown no replacement 2013
30841 Rayon – Light Beige Brown S841 2013
30898 Rayon – Very Dark Coffee Brown S898 2013
30899 Rayon – Medium Rose S899 2013
30909 Rayon – Very Dark Emerald Green S909 2013
30911 Rayon – Medium Emerald Green no replacement 2013
30913 Rayon – Medium Nile Green no replacement 2013
30915 Rayon – Dark Plum S915 2013
30931 Rayon – Medium Antique Blue S931 2013
30932 Rayon – Light Antique Blue S932 2013
30943 Rayon – Medium Aquamarine S943 2013
30955 Rayon – Light Nile Green no replacement 2013
30956 Rayon – Geranium no replacement 2013
30957 Rayon – Pale Geranium no replacement 2013
30959 Rayon – Medium Seagreen S959 2013
30964 Rayon – Light Seagreen S964 2013
30973 Rayon – Bright Canary no replacement 2013
30976 Rayon – Medium Golden Brown S976 2013
30991 Rayon – Dark Aquamarine S991 2013
30993 Rayon – Light Aquamarine no replacement 2013
30995 Rayon – Dark Electric Blue S995 2013
30996 Rayon – Medium Electric Blue no replacement 2013
33325 Rayon – Light Baby Blue no replacement 2013
33350 Rayon – Ultra Dark Dusty Rose no replacement 2013
33371 Rayon – Black Brown S3371 2013
33607 Rayon – Light Plum no replacement 2013
33608 Rayon – Very Light Plum no replacement 2013
33687 Rayon – Mauve no replacement 2013
33689 Rayon – Light Mauve no replacement 2013
33733 Rayon – Dusty Rose no replacement 2013
33814 Rayon – Aquamarine no replacement 2013

Discontinued Secret Perfume Threads

Number Name Replacement When Discontinued
SPBlanc Secret Perfume – Lily Of The Valley Blanc 2008
SP321 Secret Perfume – Strawberry 321 2008
SP340 Secret Perfume – Lavender 340 2008
SP603 Secret Perfume – Rose 603 2008
SP703 Secret Perfume – Apple 703 2008
SP726 Secret Perfume – Lemon 726 2008
SP738 Secret Perfume – Almond 738 2008
SP741 Secret Perfume – Orange 741 2008
SP745 Secret Perfume – Honeysuckle 745 2008
SP801 Secret Perfume – Chocolate 801 2008
SP977 Secret Perfume – Toffee/Caramel 977 2008
SP3823 Secret Perfume – Vanilla 3823 2008

 
Need a DMC thread card with the new colors? We have you covered.
DMC shade color thread card chart with new DMC threads

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How to Make Sure You Buy a Quality Cross Stitch Pattern

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Changing Colors On a Cross Stitch Pattern

  • Post comments:94 Comments
  • Post category:Guides / Blog
  • Post last modified:03/04/2026
  • Reading time:9 mins read

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This Post Has 94 Comments

  1. Melissa Burns 30/09/2020 Reply

    I was just gifted some old skeins of embroidery floss from DMC, J&P Coates, Coates and Clarke, and a completely never before heard of Art 21 (Belding Lily Company). Most of the price tags are still on. They range from 5 to 10 cents (US). This has been an interesting read. Still not seeing some of the ones I have such as DMC 3716 (pink) and 741 (bright yellow) and 905 (grassy green).

  2. Helen Roche 15/08/2020 Reply

    When and how were these discontinuations announced? I recently bought a copy of the colour chart with real threads, direct from DMC. It has the ‘new’ 35 colours in it, but also some of the variegated threads listed here, including 92 and 94, 99, 48, and 121 – all of which I’ve just ordered from Lakeside Needlecraft in the UK. When can we expect them to disappear – or did they change their mind?

    1. LordLibidan 16/08/2020 Reply

      We’re currently in discussions with some DMC staff members to get to the bottom of this.
      Officially no threads have ever been discontinued, DMC just stop making them. It could be that they started making them again, or that production was paused for a while. Could also be that they have large stocks of threads they need to sell.
      I’ve removed them from the list for now.

  3. Donna 24/02/2020 Reply

    What are these types of DMC thread?

    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

    1. LordLibidan 24/02/2020 Reply

      These threads are the “Light Effects” range. The old numbers used to be broken out into three series; jewels, precious metals and pearlescents.

    2. Carol Crowder 24/06/2020 Reply

      Hi,
      I live in California USA I buy cross stitch patterns on line a lot. I bought a couple a while back that called for 3885, 3886 & 3887. I have been looking everywhere for them.
      You have fixed my confusion, I believe.
      I can use 312 for 3885, 3685 for 3886 and 208 for 3887 I have all those numbers
      I also have some very old patterns where the other Discontinued number will help
      Thank you for being here
      Sincerely,
      Carol

    3. MissC 04/07/2020 Reply

      Metallics

  4. ToothlessGrin 11/09/2019 Reply

    FWIW, I was straightening up my wife’s thread collection and ran into a 811.

    It’s a kind of bright yellow. Price on wrapper? 10 cents.

  5. Emily 07/08/2019 Reply

    I’m in Australia and the 3880 + colours are available here individually 🙂

    1. LordLibidan 07/08/2019 Reply

      Thanks for the info, I wasn’t aware. Post updated.