DMC 3838 to Sullivans: Thread Conversion
The closest Sullivans equivalent to DMC 3838 (Dark Lavender Blue) is Sullivans 45436.
Close MatchHex #5C7294 · blues family
Only the DMC swatch is rendered as stored color data here. Compare the physical target skein before you assume a visual match.
Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Conversion Notes
Sullivans 45436 is rated close and works well for standalone Dark Lavender Blue projects. Sullivans' characteristic sheen interacts well with a deep, saturated blue-violet — the surface luminosity adds a quality that suits shadow positions in botanical designs, where the shadow is meant to feel rich and dimensional rather than simply darker. For twilight sky shadow bands, cool-toned flower shadow fills, and the darkest position in the lavender blue gradient, Sullivans 45436 covers the blue-violet territory adequately. Dye lot consistency is worth confirming for multi-skein needs in this deep saturated range, and when using Sullivans for the full lavender blue family, keeping all three gradient values in Sullivans maintains internal consistency. The Madeira exact match is the stronger option for large primary fills where the precise blue-violet balance is critical.
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 3838, 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 3838 to Sullivans 45436
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 3838 is unavailable and Sullivans 45436 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 3838 and Sullivans 45436 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 3838 and Sullivans 45436: 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 3838 to Sullivans FAQ
These answers are the same statements published in this page's FAQ structured data.
What is the Sullivans equivalent of DMC 3838?+
The closest Sullivans equivalent to DMC 3838 (Dark Lavender Blue) is Sullivans 45436. This is a close match.
Is the DMC 3838 to Sullivans conversion exact?+
The conversion from DMC 3838 (Dark Lavender Blue) to Sullivans 45436 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 3838 and Sullivans 45436 in the same project?+
You can use DMC 3838 and Sullivans 45436 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 3838
Similar DMC Colors
Shades closest to DMC 3838 — handy if Sullivans 45436 isn't quite right:
Free Printable Thread Conversion Chart
Pick a brand, enter your email, and we'll send you a printable chart mapping all 552 DMC colors to that brand's equivalents. Zero spam, one chart.
Thanks! Here's your free chart:
Download Your ChartOpens in a new tab. Use your browser's Print → Save as PDF.
No spam. Your email is stored securely and never shared.