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I am new to cross stitch and never worked with either before. My paterns call for DMC. However, I am having the same problem as others on the site. The darker colors do not fill out the x as full -even with railroading and turning my needel on the way back through from the front. So I was wondering if others have better luck with one brand vs the other. Isee others prefer the Anchor black vs the DMC black.But what about all colors in general?

To improve coverage, you can use more strands, don't make your tension as tight, or you can use a higher count fabric. I'm not sure changing brands will benefit you all that much. DMC 310 (black) seems a bit thin, but it also seems thinner than other DMC colors, at least in my experience, which is why folks prefer Anchor black. I personally prefer Anchor to work with because it seems to be a better quality floss -- I like the sheen, it seems to twist less, and I don't get noose-knots when using it. However, it is much more expensive (I'm in the U.S.) and it is hard to find in a brick-and-morter store. DMC is the 'standard' here and color conversions from one brand to the other aren't always close enough to handle shading. In my opinion, changing brands is not the best way to solve your coverage problems.

Allyn wrote:To improve coverage, you can use more strands, don't make your tension as tight, or you can use a higher count fabric. I'm not sure changing brands will benefit you all that much. DMC 310 (black) seems a bit thin, but it also seems thinner than other DMC colors, at least in my experience, which is why folks prefer Anchor black. I personally prefer Anchor to work with because it seems to be a better quality floss -- I like the sheen, it seems to twist less, and I don't get noose-knots when using it. However, it is much more expensive (I'm in the U.S.) and it is hard to find in a brick-and-morter store. DMC is the 'standard' here and color conversions from one brand to the other aren't always close enough to handle shading. In my opinion, changing brands is not the best way to solve your coverage problems.

That is so funny, because I have a set of Anchor that I used for the first time on my HAED freebie SAL, and my thoughts had been that it seemed more 'cottony' with less sheen, and that it tangled and knotted more. I was glad to get back to DMC

I'm a DMC girl have always used it and just prefer it to Anchor which I find can be a bit too thin and straggly ...

I prefer DMC simply because most patterns call for DMC. I have an anchor stash, and I use it up for samplers and such where the colors can be whatever you want, just so I can use up my anchor stash.

I don't think there's much difference between Anchor and DMC -- both are very high quality threads. DMC has slightly more basic (not variegated) stranded cotton colours to choose from. I have mixed the different brands where I've needed a particular colour, with no ill effects. (Obviously, you don't start with one DMC colour and switch mid project to it's "equivalent" in Anchor in mid project! )

I've been told that the best black for coverage is, in fact, Madeira, and I'm going to be testing that in a HAED design.

I'm an 'Anchor' girl. I started with that brand for 2 reasons. I subscribed to New Stitches magazine and that was the thread of choice, DMC being the 2nd. Also my local LNS stocked it!

This, of course, was before the ease of Internet Shopping!!

Now I'm in France DMC is the 'norm' but it's no longer economic to change as I have a full set of Anchor. I do have some DMC but I can't detect any difference between the two. I now get my supplies mail order from the UK. Even with postage they work out cheaper than buying here.

I will say this, though! I Never Buy threads from Ebay having once got some 'Anchor' which were definitely NOT what they said they were, but some nasty stuff from China claiming to be Anchor. I was unlucky, I guess, as many people have bought from Ebay quite successfully.

To conclude....you pays your money and you takes your choice! Probably not very helpful advice to a beginner!

DMC for me, my smallish selection of Anchor goes dusty in the corner.....

Except for the black always use anchor black, though maybe I will try Maderia soon!

But yes, I think it's the dying process that makes the darker colours thinner, particularly 3371 and so entires 3799.

Niki xxx

I don't know of anyone who sells Anchor where I live. My local LNS may, I don't usually look at floss there as I have a set of DMC, or do kits.

Give me any brand of floss and I can make a knot in it.

Most of my kits are DMC but I did buy some Anchor (100 plus 40 free variegated from Carters Ebay shop) when I decided to really get into x-stitch for charity makes - cards, small pictures etc. I only knew of Anchor really as that is all we had when I was young & mum taught me embroidery. But now I am on kits for a while the DMC seems good, doesn't get into knots & tangles so much. Recently stitched with Madeira on an owl card, free gift in magazine, & it was really lovely. Wish I'd known about that thread before

DMC.
Reason- in the standard colours there are 448 shades, while Anchor is around 300. This means that there are fewer options for getting a good match during colour conversion of a picture.

Regards,

Richard

curly sue wrote:My local LNS may

So I have heard this term a lot, what is an LNS? I know it is referred to as a shop, maybe?

DMC. I started with it and ,except for black (after having a bad experience with DMC black) for which I use Anchor, and prefer it. Also it is much easier to get here in the States.

Brekkana wrote:what is an LNS? I know it is referred to as a shop, maybe?

LNS is a Local Needlework Shop. The Glossary is a great resource when you come across expressions or abbreviations or slang terms which we use a lot. Even though I had been stitching for nearly 25 years when I joined the forum, I had never been around a group of stitchers so a lot of what is now familiar to me was like a foreign language. The glossary is filled with all kinds of information about stitches and fabrics too. The Tips and Tricks section is overflowing with information!

Carole

I use DMC. I found Anchor knotted more, and the store near me sold DMC so I started collecting. I had all the standard colours....then they brought out new colours which I have not yet purchased. I'm also working on collecting the specialty threads by DMC.

Funny about LNS. I always assumed it was a line of stores in the UK...like Michaels here.

I prefer DMC, I like the sheen over the other threads. more colours and easier to obtain. Most charts are keyed for DMC too.

I've only used DMC, but last year I did buy a couple skeins of Anchor black to test it out...now if only I knew where I put it.

I have both DMC and anchor but I prefer anchor. They don't seem to knot and tangle as much. Maybe its in my head though

I prefer DMC as I like the colors better then Anchor colors. They are close in color but to me DMC is more vibrant and Anchor is more subtle. This is my take not anything scientific. My LNS carries both and they are side by side and it just looks like that to me. I just like DMC better for my use. I am unlike the majority and I really like my DMC black. I do not find it thinner.

If you are not happy with your coverage then an added thread will help with that. Also if your fabric is white or cream then the darker colors will seem to not cover as well. It would be the same with lighter colors if you were stitching on a darker fabric.

I prefer Anchor (like Wendy Wombat, I was greatly influenced by Mary Hickmott's 'New Stitches' magazine but also have a lot of DMC which seems to be the favourite in our shops (in fact the local shop in Tunbridge Wells used to sell both but dropped Anchor: when I asked why, they said they had always sold twice as much DMC as Anchor). When I need more Anchor I buy online from Sew & So.
While I'm happy to use DMC if I have to I'd never use a DMC metallic again: awful stuff!! I have used Madeira once or twice (when using its from Jane Greenoff/Cross Stitch Guild) and found it rather different to handle but the results were very good.

DMC metalics are evil. And I wouldn't use them .. Rainbow Gallery are best, the petite braids and blending filament, along with Krelink(sp?)