DMC 161 to Sullivans: Thread Conversion
The closest Sullivans equivalent to DMC 161 (Gray Blue) is Sullivans 45476.
Close MatchHex #7880A4 · blues family
Only the DMC swatch is rendered as stored color data here. Compare the physical target skein before you assume a visual match.
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Conversion Notes
Sullivans 45476 is a close match in the medium-dark grey-blue range. Confirm the shade reads as a properly greyed medium-dark blue — it should carry both the blue character and the grey muting in roughly equal measure at this value, providing the shadow depth that anchors the grey-blue family's light-to-dark gradient. At this middle-dark saturation level, coverage differences between Sullivans and DMC are generally minimal with standard two-strand working on 14-count Aida, which puts the shadow anchor role of 161 in a comfortable zone for brand substitution. For the shadow-side fills that 161 typically handles in stone wall shading, denim fold work, and maritime deep-water areas, Sullivans 45476 should provide the necessary visual weight and grey-blue depth without the thread appearing thin, washed out, or overly vivid. Confirm on a test swatch, particularly before filling large stone-wall backgrounds or overcast-sky areas where any coverage inconsistency or shade deviation becomes visible across the full expanse. Also compare Sullivans 45476 against your versions of 159 and 160 to ensure the gradient step reads correctly before committing to a full three-value grey-blue shading sequence.
Reference quality
How We Validate This Match
This Sullivans page is meant to help you shortlist a replacement quickly, then verify the physical skein before you mix brands in the same stitched area.
- Methodology
- This comparison uses the site's source-of-truth record for DMC 161, the stored Sullivans equivalent, and the saved close rating before rendering the page copy.
- Verification status
- Close cross-brand match. Treat it as a shortlist, not proof that the physical threads will be visually identical under every fabric and light condition.
- Source basis
- Published cross-brand floss chart mapping. Use it as a shortlist, then confirm with physical thread because sheen and dye lots still matter.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-04-20
- Best use
- Close and approximate matches work best for replacements, backups, or whole-project brand swaps after you stitch a small sample on the target fabric.
Decision guide
When to trust DMC 161 to Sullivans 45476
This page is strongest as a decision aid, not as a guarantee that two branded skeins will vanish into each other without testing.
Best for
- + Replacing missing floss when DMC 161 is unavailable and Sullivans 45476 is good enough after a stitched sample check.
- + Shortlisting a Sullivans substitute before you buy skeins, especially if your project can tolerate small differences in sheen or dye lot.
- + Comparing this Sullivans candidate against the other conversions and nearby DMC shades linked from the page before you commit to a full swap.
Watch for
- ! Close matches are not safe to assume interchangeable in focal areas without a physical test on your fabric.
- ! Brand sheen, strand thickness, and project lighting can make DMC 161 and Sullivans 45476 look further apart than the stored match rating suggests.
- ! If the design depends on smooth gradients or skin-tone transitions, compare this swap against the neighboring DMC shades before you substitute a large block.
Before you commit
- Compare DMC 161 and Sullivans 45476: lay the physical skeins together in daylight before you mix brands in the same stitched area.
- Test on your project fabric: stitch a small sample so fabric color and stitch density reveal whether the match still holds at full coverage.
- Keep a fallback ready: if the swap feels off, use the linked related DMC shades or another brand conversion instead of forcing the closest stored match.
DMC 161 to Sullivans FAQ
These answers are the same statements published in this page's FAQ structured data.
What is the Sullivans equivalent of DMC 161?+
The closest Sullivans equivalent to DMC 161 (Gray Blue) is Sullivans 45476. This is a close match.
Is the DMC 161 to Sullivans conversion exact?+
The conversion from DMC 161 (Gray Blue) to Sullivans 45476 is rated as a close match. Thread colors vary slightly between brands, so compare physical thread in daylight before stitching a large area.
Can I mix DMC 161 and Sullivans 45476 in the same project?+
You can use DMC 161 and Sullivans 45476 together when the close match is acceptable for your project, but always test them side by side on your fabric first because sheen and dye lots can create visible differences.
Other Conversions for DMC 161
Similar DMC Colors
Shades closest to DMC 161 — handy if Sullivans 45476 isn't quite right:
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