Help! Anchor colours...

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debpeb
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Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2014 9:19 pm

Help! Anchor colours...

Post by debpeb »

Hi, i've been an avid cross-stitcher for about 25 years and have quite a collection of Anchor threads. I usually don't have any problems with colours but i've just started a project, went to the faithful old cross stitch threads and got which colours I needed and started stitching. However, when I went to buy a second skein of a couple of threads I need to complete the project I notice Anchor have now changed the colours slightly...so I have got to now unpick the sections i've done to make sure they all match. Is this a regular thing these companies do? Does anyone have any idea how I can check what colours I have to see if my old threads tally with the new charts they have as i'm at a loss as to why they have done this? One colour is quite a difference in shade - a lot darker, the other is slightly deeper in colour meaning it will be noticeable if I do use the new colour. I'm so frustrated as i've never had this happen before :(
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wendywombat
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Re: Help! Anchor colours...

Post by wendywombat »

It happens sadly! Dye lots change. I, too have Anchor threads and what I've done when this happens is to 'tweed' 2 strands of the colours together, one old and one new. Not a perfect solution, I know, but unless you :ribbit: (unpick) the lot it's the only way! Perhaps you could just :ribbit: those areas where the colours are different and tweed those.
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rcperryls
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Re: Help! Anchor colours...

Post by rcperryls »

I also know how frustrating that can be. :tantrum: I know I should get all the colors at once for large projects, but I don't as I have a huge collection of DMC threads. I have rarely had the color change from old to new skeins, but I did have that happen on one large project which I have officially labeled a UFO until I decide what to do about it. Wendy's suggestion is the best one I could think of also. I hope this works out for you.

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debpeb
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Re: Help! Anchor colours...

Post by debpeb »

Thank you. It's something I never thought of...that the company would change the colours. So frustrating to unpick all that work so thanks for the idea, might have to go for that option :)
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ecology665
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Re: Help! Anchor colours...

Post by ecology665 »

I feel you on this. I had to replace and add thread for a Dimensions kit. I used the cyberstitcher's conversion chart. Spent a small fortune on threads that are way off. There is no Anchor dealer in my immediate area. I ended up buying 2 to 3 shades either darker or lighter than the conversion # to get a match. Then I went to local hobby store and tried to match with DMC colors.

Good part I found some new colors that I love: Anchor 150 and 127. The best navy and dark purple to me.

Maybe I will be able to trade some of the threads colors I won't be using anytime soon. :wave:
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tiathyme
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Re: Help! Anchor colours...

Post by tiathyme »

I know DMC had to change a number of colours a few years back due to new environmental protection rules in the European Union. I think Anchor might've been in the same boat.

I imagine the companies would try to avoid colour changes if possible! They must know how irritating it is for stitchers. :)
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frankattleborough
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Re: Help! Anchor colours...

Post by frankattleborough »

Wendy's answer is by far the best. I have used the tweeding method a few times. My local stitching shop only holds Anchor threads so when I ran short of DMC I just found the nearest Anchor thread to it and tweeded. It doesn't show!!
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