159 — Grey Blue light
Blues family
Need details on DMC 159? This medium-light, muted blue shade (Grey Blue light) is hex #97A6C5, RGB 151, 166, 197. Cross-brand equivalents in Weeks Dye Works, Gentle Art Sampler, and Valdani are listed below — ranked by perceptual similarity — alongside 8 nearby DMC shades and color-theory harmony pairings.
Brand Equivalents for DMC 159
Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works
Anchor
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colours
Similar DMC Colors to 159
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 159
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.
DMC 159 (Grey Blue light) sits a hair from DMC 157 (Cornflower Blue very light) (ΔE 2.84) — close enough to blend a strand of each for a smooth gradient or to swap one for the other in a pinch.
Color Harmonies for DMC 159
DMC threads that pair well with 159, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Blues Family
DMC 159 in context with nearby shades from the blues color family.
About DMC 159
Meet DMC 159, Grey Blue light — a muted, medium-light thread in the blues family with true blue tones. Stitchers describe its character as restrained and versatile, perfect for skies and water. It blends comfortably into projects centered on denim textures and cool-toned backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
DMC 159 — what color is it?
The color of DMC 159 is Grey Blue light — a medium-light blue thread (hex #97A6C5, RGB 151, 166, 197). It shows up most in bluebird motifs and whale designs.
What is the Anchor equivalent of DMC 159?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 159 (Grey Blue light) is Anchor 175 (Cornflower Blue Light) with a 85% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 129 (Sky Blue Light, 78%) and Anchor 130 (Sky Blue, 78%).
Which DMC threads are close to 159?
The closest DMC threads to 159 are 157 Cornflower Blue very light (ΔE 2.84), 341 Blue Violet light (ΔE 4.39), and 3840 Lavender Blue light (ΔE 5.12). These are useful substitutes when 159 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is DMC 159 good for?
DMC 159 (Grey Blue light) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring bluebird motifs, whale designs, sapphire accents, porcelain patterns. Its medium-light tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 159.
What fabric color works best with DMC 159 (Grey Blue light)?
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first. For reference, 159 has a contrast ratio of about 2.4:1 on white fabric and 8.6:1 on black. As a soft cool shade, its cool cast recedes visually — useful for backgrounds, shadows, water and sky, and calm, restful palettes.