DMC 718 to Sullivans: Thread Conversion
The closest Sullivans equivalent to DMC 718 (Plum) is Sullivans 45166.
Close MatchHex #9C2462 · purples 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 45166 is a close match for Plum. The deep blue-red balance that defines 718 — the precise ratio that keeps it positioned as genuine plum rather than shifting toward burgundy or mauve — is sensitive to dye calibration, and some variation from the DMC original is possible between lots. This sensitivity is amplified by the fact that deep saturated blue-reds are among the more technically demanding colors to reproduce consistently in cotton thread dyeing. For plum-heavy designs — grape clusters that require multiple skeins, large Victorian floral borders, extended deep pansy fill areas — purchasing sufficient thread from a single lot avoids subtle shifts between the purple-leaning and red-leaning ends of the dye variation range that can produce a noticeable color inconsistency when large areas of the same color are compared side by side in the finished piece. For colorfastness, test a strand on your project fabric in cool water before wet-blocking; deep blue-reds are among the colors most worth testing regardless of brand. A practical and accessible close substitute for most plum embroidery applications.
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 718, 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 718 to Sullivans 45166
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 718 is unavailable and Sullivans 45166 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 718 and Sullivans 45166 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 718 and Sullivans 45166: 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 718 to Sullivans FAQ
These answers are the same statements published in this page's FAQ structured data.
What is the Sullivans equivalent of DMC 718?+
The closest Sullivans equivalent to DMC 718 (Plum) is Sullivans 45166. This is a close match.
Is the DMC 718 to Sullivans conversion exact?+
The conversion from DMC 718 (Plum) to Sullivans 45166 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 718 and Sullivans 45166 in the same project?+
You can use DMC 718 and Sullivans 45166 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 718
Similar DMC Colors
Shades closest to DMC 718 — handy if Sullivans 45166 isn't quite right:
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