DMC 3802 to Cosmo: Thread Conversion
The closest Cosmo equivalent to DMC 3802 (Very Dark Antique Mauve) is Cosmo 236.
Close MatchHex #714149 · purples family
This Cosmo conversion is based on approximate data that has not been independently verified. If you notice an error, let us know — community corrections help everyone.
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
Cosmo 236 is a close match that tends to sit slightly more purely purple than DMC 3802 — a touch less of the brown undertone that gives this color its antique, aged-dye quality. The brown undertone is precisely what distinguishes antique mauve from simply dark purple: it creates the muted, complex, period-appropriate character rather than a vivid modern dark. When the Cosmo version reduces this brown component, it shifts slightly closer to a standard dark purple and slightly away from the Victorian-aged reading that makes 3802 the right choice over alternatives in period-aesthetic designs. For Victorian gothic pieces and reproduction historical work where the dusty, desaturated antique character is central to the aesthetic, the subtle undertone difference is worth comparing in a swatch under natural light before committing to large shadow fills. For most general dark plum-mauve applications where approximate antique-mauve character is adequate, and for contemporary designs where a slightly more vivid dark purple suits the aesthetic, Cosmo 236 performs well and is a practical accessible option.
Reference quality
How We Validate This Match
This Cosmo 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 3802, the stored Cosmo 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
- Approximate cross-brand floss mapping. Treat it as lower-confidence until you compare the physical Cosmo skein against the DMC reference.
- 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 3802 to Cosmo 236
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 3802 is unavailable and Cosmo 236 is good enough after a stitched sample check.
- + Shortlisting a Cosmo substitute before you buy skeins, especially if your project can tolerate small differences in sheen or dye lot.
- + Comparing this Cosmo 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 3802 and Cosmo 236 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 3802 and Cosmo 236: 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 3802 to Cosmo FAQ
These answers are the same statements published in this page's FAQ structured data.
What is the Cosmo equivalent of DMC 3802?+
The closest Cosmo equivalent to DMC 3802 (Very Dark Antique Mauve) is Cosmo 236. This is a close match.
Is the DMC 3802 to Cosmo conversion exact?+
The conversion from DMC 3802 (Very Dark Antique Mauve) to Cosmo 236 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 3802 and Cosmo 236 in the same project?+
You can use DMC 3802 and Cosmo 236 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 3802
Similar DMC Colors
Shades closest to DMC 3802 — handy if Cosmo 236 isn't quite right:
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