3685 — Mauve dark
Pinks family
Need details on DMC 3685? This medium-dark, vivid pink shade (Mauve dark) is hex #6A1836, RGB 106, 24, 54. Cross-brand equivalents in Madeira, J&P Coates, and Sullivans are listed below — ranked by perceptual similarity — alongside 8 nearby DMC shades and color-theory harmony pairings.
Brand Equivalents for DMC 3685
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 3685
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 3685
It pops on white and light fabric but nearly disappears on black, so pair it with a light or neutral ground.
Color Harmonies for DMC 3685
DMC threads that pair well with 3685, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Pinks Family
DMC 3685 in context with nearby shades from the pinks color family.
About DMC 3685
Mauve dark (catalog code DMC 3685) is a medium-dark, vivid shade from the pinks family with rose pink tones. With a strong and rich quality, this thread works beautifully in peony petals and flamingo designs. You will find this color at home in patterns featuring tulip blooms and cosmetics-themed designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color is DMC 3685?
DMC 3685 is called Mauve dark. It's a medium-dark pink shade (hex #6A1836, RGB 106, 24, 54) in the pinks family, commonly used for romantic motifs, blush accents, and similar motifs.
What's the closest Anchor match for DMC 3685?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 3685 (Mauve dark) is Anchor 65 (Cerise Ultra Very Dark) with a 80% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 1019 (Antique Mauve Dark, 77%) and Anchor 69 (Dusty Plum Medium Dark, 75%).
What's a good substitute for DMC 3685?
The closest DMC threads to 3685 are 915 Plum dark (ΔE 4), 3803 Mauve medium (ΔE 4.28), and 902 Garnet very dark (ΔE 4.57). These are useful substitutes when 3685 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What projects use DMC 3685?
Cross-stitchers pull DMC 3685 (Mauve dark) for charts featuring romantic motifs, blush accents, cherry blossoms, ballet themes. The medium-dark tone reads cleanly on its own and slots into multi-color palettes — see the color harmonies below for pairing ideas.
What fabric color works best with DMC 3685 (Mauve dark)?
It pops on white and light fabric but nearly disappears on black, so pair it with a light or neutral ground. For reference, 3685 has a contrast ratio of about 11.7:1 on white fabric and 1.8:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.