DMC 485 to Sullivans: Thread Conversion
The closest Sullivans equivalent to DMC 485 (Dark Red) is Sullivans 45120.
Close MatchHex #B01020 · reds 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 45120 is a close match for DMC 485 Dark Red and is adequate for standard design applications where dark red serves as an accent or secondary fill color. Dye lot consistency is worth checking for deep saturated reds in lower-cost brands — some stitchers report that very deep reds in the Sullivans lineup can occasionally show batch variation that is visible when skeins from different lots are used together. For multi-skein purchases intended for large Christmas background fills, heritage sampler areas, or folk embroidery panels where 485 covers significant territory, verifying that all skeins come from the same production lot is particularly important. For single-skein accent use and small detail work, Sullivans 45120 performs adequately as a practical economy alternative to the premium brands in the dark red category.
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 485, 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 485 to Sullivans 45120
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 485 is unavailable and Sullivans 45120 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 485 and Sullivans 45120 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 485 and Sullivans 45120: 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 485 to Sullivans FAQ
These answers are the same statements published in this page's FAQ structured data.
What is the Sullivans equivalent of DMC 485?+
The closest Sullivans equivalent to DMC 485 (Dark Red) is Sullivans 45120. This is a close match.
Is the DMC 485 to Sullivans conversion exact?+
The conversion from DMC 485 (Dark Red) to Sullivans 45120 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 485 and Sullivans 45120 in the same project?+
You can use DMC 485 and Sullivans 45120 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 485
Similar DMC Colors
Shades closest to DMC 485 — handy if Sullivans 45120 isn't quite right:
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