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 |
| 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.

Can you tell me about 619? I have a project I am picking up again after over 20 years and it is the only colour I don’t have. Thank you.
Never heard of that one I’m afraid!
Can you tell us the brand and name of the pattern so we can look into it further?
Please note that the correct color for discontinued DMC 776 is Medium Pink, not Golden Olive.
Oops, thanks for spotting! Now corrected.
Here’s one to add to your list:
I have a chart (copyright unlisted, maybe 1990?) that calls for DMC 331; it appears to be a mid-tone of blue, maybe a grey-blue shade–it’s in some shading with colors ranging from 939, 336, and 931, to 414, 930 and 317, and it’s paired with 413.
Interesting… Would you be open to sending us some images of the pattern?
I think it might be a pre-1920s pattern…
It’s Teresa Wentzler’s “Unicorn” (published c. 1990), one of the shades used in the window/curtain area. Since she split & paired colors prolifically, it’s almost impossible to tell from the photo which thread is the missing one. I’ve scoured my small collection of craft magazines and other pamphlets from the early 90’s, and found no other mention of the color, although #327 is labelled as “violet, dk” (1993) and #333 is “periwinkle, dk” (1990). My guess is that she pulled it out of her own stash but it was already discontinued by the time the design was published. The idea of it being an “heirloom” floss from an older relative is charming! i have at least one of those myself.
I’m wondering if the “Unicorn” pamphlet was re-published with a replacement color for the #331. My pamphlet has a mauve border, but most images online show it with a greenish border. The symbol on my copy is a loop (like a cancer ribbon) with a dot on the right-hand open side, paired with #413.
I’m hoping to start stitching this soon, and it would be nice to find out what that color was intended to be.
Ah, Teresa Wentzler’s work was repeatedly reissued over the years!
Based on your comment, I’m thinking that the version you have says “Dreamscape” at the top. Is that right?
These were one of the later reissues, from the mid to late 90s by the Just Cross Stitch magazine.
In this period they tended not to edit patterns, so wouldn’t have changed the number on the thread, but put the correct thread in there.
I wonder if its a simple typo and it should say 341?
Yes, it’s a Dreamscape/Just Cross Stitch issue. I looked up some auction listings, and the green border Dreamscape edition for the same symbol reads 311, a nice deep blue–which makes a lot of sense, and is still in production, thank goodness! So, maybe not a discontinued thread after all, but now I can finish buying colors and start stitching. Thanks for your help!
Some of the colors you have listed in variegated don’t seem to exist in variegated colors. 504, 731, 776, 781, 971, 806 and 868. In fact when searching for 868 I found a post by you saying it doesn’t exist! I’m so confused! And the 5000 series in variegated say they have been replaced with light effects but those are two totally different kinds. Please help me to understand! ❤️
You’re right, it is confusing. Partly due to myself making a mistake; sorry!
504 – 806 are not variegated, but solid colors. I had them in the wrong place.
868 is also a solid color, but no one is really sure if it existed. Many people google it and come here, so we include it, even if we’re not convinced it exists.
Finally, the 5000 series was replaced with light effects, which is the closest thing to them, and is what DMC say are the replacements.
Does anyone know what DMC 144 would be now?
There has never been a DMC 144 I’m afraid.
There is a Luca-S 144 which is the same as DMC 157 though. Its a very light blue.