DMC, Anchor and Miyuki Matching Behind the Scenes

Why we checked our DMC and Anchor matches a third time

We built a handmade stand for our embroidery threads to help us check color matches. It worked, and it also showed us there was more to verify.

This is our third attempt at matching threads in Match & Stitch. We'd like to think it's the last one, but we're still comparing, so better not to tempt fate.

The threads needed face-to-face comparison

We wanted to confirm that the colorimeter was right about which DMC and Anchor threads go together. So the next step was to put the actual threads side by side and look at them.

Some of the suggested pairs didn't match perfectly. The colorimeter gave us a starting point, but the side-by-side check showed that some suggestions weren't ready for a final decision.

That matters because every match will go into a database and end up in someone's embroidery project. We want each one right before it gets there.

A handmade stand and a manual check

We gathered nearly all the DMC and Anchor threads and set them up on a display stand for a manual comparison. With the real threads in front of us, we could go back to each pair and think again.

For this third attempt, we combined the colorimeter data with a manual review. By now, we know the thread collection quite well.

Going back to the physical threads helped us find the closest DMC and Anchor pairs. We weren't starting over. We were improving what we already had.

Then Miyuki beads joined the process

Once the thread pairs were set, we moved on to Miyuki beads. We're now comparing the beads with the matched DMC and Anchor threads to find the closest ones.

The photos here show this stage: pale neutrals, pinks and blues next to bead containers. This is our working table, and none of these are final matches yet.

The embroidered flowers next to the stand remind us where all these choices lead: threads and beads that have to work together in a finished piece.

What we mean by accuracy

We want every match to be perfect, but threads and beads won't always look identical. Here's what we do: we check the colorimeter suggestions against the real threads, go back to any pair we're not happy with, and then repeat the process with Miyuki beads.

Our goal is to help future Match & Stitch users choose across the three brands with more confidence and less guesswork, so they save time.

The comparison work is ongoing

The website is still in development, and this round of matching isn't finished yet. We hope to finish soon and will share the results when they're ready.

Third time's the charm, we hope. For now, the stand stays where it is.

Follow Match & Stitch on Instagram for updates from the comparison table.

Match & Stitch color matching

Browse the Anchor to Miyuki Delica Color Matching Catalog in the Ornamentico shop for thread-to-bead pairings for your next project.