DMC 809 to Sullivans: Thread Conversion
The closest Sullivans equivalent to DMC 809 (Delft Blue) is Sullivans 45214.
Close MatchHex #94A8C6 · 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 45214 is a close match for DMC 809 Delft Blue. For everyday blue fill work — clothing in sampler figures, decorative border bands, simple sky areas in stylized landscapes, traditional alphabet and motif designs where a reliable medium blue fills primary design elements — Sullivans 45214 should perform adequately as a general medium-blue substitute in most practical conditions. For Delft-specific applications where the cultural reference matters most — blue-and-white ceramic reproductions, Dutch tile-pattern designs, colonial sampler pieces where Delft blue establishes the historical period authenticity — the exact-rated Madeira 1008 is the preferable choice over this close-rated Sullivans option. The characteristic grayed-medium quality that makes 809 read as Delft rather than as a generic medium blue is more reliably preserved in exact-rated substitutions. For designs where 809 fills large primary areas across multiple skeins, checking that consecutive Sullivans 45214 skeins read consistently is a reasonable precaution regardless of whether Delft accuracy is the concern. For small accent and secondary blue fill use in modest quantities, Sullivans 45214 provides a practical working substitute.
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 809, 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 809 to Sullivans 45214
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 809 is unavailable and Sullivans 45214 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 809 and Sullivans 45214 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 809 and Sullivans 45214: 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 809 to Sullivans FAQ
These answers are the same statements published in this page's FAQ structured data.
What is the Sullivans equivalent of DMC 809?+
The closest Sullivans equivalent to DMC 809 (Delft Blue) is Sullivans 45214. This is a close match.
Is the DMC 809 to Sullivans conversion exact?+
The conversion from DMC 809 (Delft Blue) to Sullivans 45214 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 809 and Sullivans 45214 in the same project?+
You can use DMC 809 and Sullivans 45214 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 809
Similar DMC Colors
Shades closest to DMC 809 — handy if Sullivans 45214 isn't quite right:
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