Where can i find a color substitution chart for cross stitch?

Question

I've already looked at several, but I need a chart that will tell me color substitutions for colors that have been discontinued. Namely, DMC 438 and 439. I have 4 old charts that I'd like to do, and I can't find these colors even online.

Answer 1

When I saw your question, I knew I had to do the research because now I had a reason to do it for more than myself.  Like you, I have some old patterns and charts that I inherited from my great aunt and I would love to make them.  The problem is that many have the colors listed for companies that no longer exist or in DMC colors that have... disappeared?

After much searching, I finally found this page on a search for #439 (http://www.independenceneedlepoint.com/P...  If you search for 439 on the page, you come up with a match of 498 for Paternayan Persian thread.  I found the Paternayan site and #498 comes up under the brown category, but it's needlepoint yarn!  How disappointing!  (Site:  http://www.discountneedlework.com/patern... ; photo of colors: http://www.discountneedlework.com/images...

Unfortunately, I think the only thing one can do these days is to take the photo of the pattern with you and try to match the floss colors to it as best as possible, or pick out the flosses on your list that do exist and find two to replace 438 and 439 that look good with the others.  I wish I had a better answer than that, but unfortunately DMC has left a number of us out in the cold!

(Also, when looking for #439, it is listed as having the same *color* as DMC #738 and #437.  If nothing else, you could go with those colors instead, assuming that they are not also obsolete and pick the next color in line with them to act as #438.)

Hope that helps you out -- I know how frustrating it is!

Answer 2

Sometimes it's just easier to pick a new color.. Do you at least have photos of the completed design? If so, I would say just get the closest to those colors. I've had to do that with several older patterns. Chances are you can pick one that's just about exact and save yourself the headache of searching for one that no longer exists. Sometimes I've even picked a completely different shade that I liked better..  

Answer 3

I had the same problem before I found a converter chart at Ben Franklin,here in Mo we only have a couple so I don't know where the are anywhere else. If you are just starting a project use the colors you like you don't have to use the colors they ask you to use. I made a baby quilt using the colors I had on hand  (cause the project before that I had alot left over) and it turned out pretty.