DMC 917 to Anchor: Thread Conversion
The closest Anchor equivalent to DMC 917 (Medium Plum) is Anchor 89.
Exact MatchHex #9B1359 · 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
Anchor 89 is an exact match for DMC 917 Medium Plum. The warm red-purple quality of 917 — what makes it read as plum rather than violet or magenta — is accurately preserved in Anchor's formulation. For wisteria, iris, and dahlia designs where 917 carries the primary petal fill, Anchor 89 delivers comparable coverage and color character. The subtle sheen difference between Anchor and DMC thread is worth noting for pieces where the relationship between light and saturated color has been carefully considered. As the color that typically carries the largest fill area in plum-family gradient work, the exact calibration at this mid-value position is particularly valuable — the mid-tone is the most load-bearing step in any gradient, and any color character deviation there is more visible than at shadow or highlight extremes. For Japanese-inspired wisteria and plum blossom designs where 917 covers extensive petal fill area, Anchor 89's exact match ensures the primary petal color reads as correctly warm red-purple throughout large fill sections. Anchor's slightly softer thread twist compared to DMC can be a practical advantage for large-area petal fill work — the softer strand lays flatter and produces more uniform coverage across broad petal surfaces, which is where coverage consistency matters most.
Reference quality
How We Validate This Match
This Anchor 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 917, the stored Anchor equivalent, and the saved exact rating before rendering the page copy.
- Verification status
- Exact 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
- Exact-rated matches are the safest option for replacing missing floss, but they still deserve a daylight spot check before mixing brands in one stitched area.
Decision guide
When to trust DMC 917 to Anchor 89
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 you need the closest stored match between DMC 917 and Anchor 89 without changing the rest of the palette.
- + Shortlisting a Anchor substitute before you buy skeins, especially if your project can tolerate small differences in sheen or dye lot.
- + Comparing this Anchor candidate against the other conversions and nearby DMC shades linked from the page before you commit to a full swap.
Watch for
- ! Even exact-rated matches can separate once you stitch them next to older thread, different dye lots, metallic accents, or dark fabric.
- ! Brand sheen, strand thickness, and project lighting can make DMC 917 and Anchor 89 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 917 and Anchor 89: 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 917 to Anchor FAQ
These answers are the same statements published in this page's FAQ structured data.
What is the Anchor equivalent of DMC 917?+
The closest Anchor equivalent to DMC 917 (Medium Plum) is Anchor 89. This is an exact match.
Is the DMC 917 to Anchor conversion exact?+
The conversion from DMC 917 (Medium Plum) to Anchor 89 is rated as an exact match. Thread colors vary slightly between brands, so compare physical thread in daylight before stitching a large area.
Can I mix DMC 917 and Anchor 89 in the same project?+
You can use DMC 917 and Anchor 89 together when the exact 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 917
Similar DMC Colors
Shades closest to DMC 917 — handy if Anchor 89 isn't quite right:
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