Vous voulez en savoir plus sur DMC vs Anchor vs Generic Floss: Which Thread to Use ?

I've been stitching for eight years, and I've tried them all. DMC, Anchor, and the cheap stuff you find in no-name kits. Honestly, the difference can make or break your project. Today, I'm sharing my personal tests and what I've learned.

Materials and Tools

Before we dive in, here's what I used for my comparison:

  • DMC six-strand embroidery floss, color 310 (black), 8.7 yards per skein, approximately €0.90 per skein [1]
  • Anchor six-strand embroidery floss, color 403 (black), 8.7 yards per skein, approximately €0.85 per skein [2]
  • Generic six-strand floss from a budget kit, 8 yards per skein, roughly €0.20 per skein [3]
  • DMC needle threader (the silver one that comes in kits)
  • Size 26 tapestry needles (I prefer John James)
  • 14-count white Aida fabric, 30 cm x 30 cm
  • Small scissors (I use DMC's gold stork scissors)

I laid everything out on my white table, just like in that flat lay photo with the clear plastic case and colorful skeins. You know the one.

Step 1: Color Range and Availability

DMC offers 489 solid colors, plus variegated and metallic lines [1]. Anchor has around 450 colors, but they're not always easy to find in local shops [2]. Generic floss? Maybe 50 colors, if you're lucky. I once tried to find a specific shade of teal in a generic pack, and I ended up with something that looked like swamp water. Trust me, if you need a particular shade for a project, DMC or Anchor is the way to go.

Pro tip: Always buy one extra skein of each color. Dye lots can vary slightly, and you don't want to run out mid-project.

Step 2: Thread Sheen and Texture

DMC has a subtle sheen that catches the light nicely. Anchor is slightly shinier, which some stitchers love. Generic floss? It often looks flat and fuzzy. I stitched a small motif with each type and compared them under daylight. DMC and Anchor looked smooth; the generic one had flyaways. After 2 hours of stitching, the generic thread started to fray. Not good.

Pro tip: If you're using generic floss, run it through a bit of thread conditioner like Thread Heaven to reduce fraying.

Step 3: Durability and Fraying

I did a stress test: I pulled each thread through a tight fabric 100 times. DMC held up with minimal fraying. Anchor was similar, maybe slightly softer. The generic floss frayed after about 30 pulls. That's a problem when you're doing detailed work. I wasted 3 hours re-threading because the thread kept breaking. Frustrating.

Pro tip: When using any floss, cut lengths of about 45 cm (18 inches). Longer strands cause more friction and fraying.

Step 4: Color Matching Between Brands

DMC and Anchor have conversion charts, but they're not perfect. For example, DMC 310 (black) is slightly cooler than Anchor 403. I compared them side by side. The difference is subtle but noticeable in large areas. Generic floss? No conversion charts. You're on your own. I once tried to match a DMC color to a generic one, and it was a disaster. The shade was completely off.

Pro tip: If you must substitute, stitch a small sample first and check it in natural light.

Step 5: Cost and Value

DMC costs about €0.90 per skein [1]. Anchor is around €0.85 [2]. Generic floss can be as cheap as €0.20 per skein [3]. But here's the thing: cheap floss often requires more strands to cover the fabric, so you use more. And it frays, so you waste more. In the long run, DMC or Anchor might actually save you money. I learned that the hard way after buying a bulk pack of generic floss that ended up in the trash.

Pro tip: Watch for sales. DMC and Anchor often go on sale at craft stores, and you can stock up.

My Personal Mistake

I once bought a huge lot of generic floss online because it was a great deal. When it arrived, half the skeins were tangled and the colors were inconsistent. I spent 4 hours untangling and sorting, and I still couldn't use most of it. That was a €15 mistake I won't repeat.

Final Thoughts

So, which thread should you use? For long-term projects and heirloom pieces, I recommend DMC or Anchor. They're reliable, have beautiful sheen, and last. For practice pieces or kids' crafts, generic floss is fine. But if you want your work to look its best, invest in the good stuff.

To sum up: choose DMC for color range, Anchor for sheen, and generic for budget practice. If you have a photo close to your heart, give our service a try.

Happy stitching! Which thread do you prefer? I'd love to hear your experiences.

Sources

💡 Try it yourself: Download our free Free Cross Stitch Pattern: Butterfly pattern and practice this technique.

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Claire Moreau — Fondatrice de Flossize

Passionnée de point de croix depuis 8 ans, Claire transforme vos photos en grilles personnalisées. Elle partage ici ses conseils et astuces pour vous aider à créer des motifs uniques.

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