DMC 816 to Sullivans: Thread Conversion
The closest Sullivans equivalent to DMC 816 (Garnet) is Sullivans 45218.
Close MatchHex #970B23 · 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 45218 is a close match for DMC 816 Garnet. Sullivans generally tracks reasonably well with DMC in value and temperature for red family threads, making the close rating less concerning here than it would be in a more complex or muted color family. For garnet-family designs where 816 contributes to multi-step shading alongside 814 and 815, comparing Sullivans 45218 against both neighbors in your palette to ensure the value progression reads as intended is the practical test. The goal is for Sullivans 45218 to read as clearly darker than whatever you’re using for 816’s lighter neighbors (815, and whatever lighter garnet follows) and clearly lighter than the deepest shadow value (814): if the value steps read as natural and even, the gradient will work. For standalone garnet red fill work in Celtic, Scandinavian, and heraldic motifs where 816 provides the primary deep red without shading companions, Sullivans 45218 performs adequately in most practical conditions. For dye lot consistency in large primary-color fills, checking lot numbers across multiple skeins is advisable regardless of brand choice for deeply saturated reds.
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 816, 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 816 to Sullivans 45218
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 816 is unavailable and Sullivans 45218 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 816 and Sullivans 45218 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 816 and Sullivans 45218: 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 816 to Sullivans FAQ
These answers are the same statements published in this page's FAQ structured data.
What is the Sullivans equivalent of DMC 816?+
The closest Sullivans equivalent to DMC 816 (Garnet) is Sullivans 45218. This is a close match.
Is the DMC 816 to Sullivans conversion exact?+
The conversion from DMC 816 (Garnet) to Sullivans 45218 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 816 and Sullivans 45218 in the same project?+
You can use DMC 816 and Sullivans 45218 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 816
Similar DMC Colors
Shades closest to DMC 816 — handy if Sullivans 45218 isn't quite right:
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