3820 — Straw dark
Oranges family
Need details on DMC 3820? This medium, vivid orange shade (Straw dark) is hex #D6962B, RGB 214, 150, 43. 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 3820
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 3820
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 3820
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.
Color Harmonies for DMC 3820
DMC threads that pair well with 3820, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Oranges Family
DMC 3820 in context with nearby shades from the oranges color family.
About DMC 3820
DMC 3820 is the floss known as Straw dark: a vivid, medium member of the oranges family with golden orange tones. Stitchers describe its character as rich and lively, perfect for warm accents and seasonal designs. It blends comfortably into projects centered on pumpkins and marigolds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DMC 3820 look like?
DMC 3820 (Straw dark) is a medium shade in the oranges family with hex #D6962B and RGB 214, 150, 43. Stitchers reach for it in projects featuring fall harvest scenes and monarch butterflies.
Which Anchor thread matches DMC 3820?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 3820 (Straw dark) is Anchor 890 (Old Gold Medium) with a 69% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 306 (Gold, 68%) and Anchor 298 (Golden Yellow Dark, 66%).
What DMC colors are similar to 3820?
The closest DMC threads to 3820 are 19 Medium Light Autumn Gold (ΔE 5.18), 729 Old Gold medium (ΔE 6.47), and 728 Golden Yellow (ΔE 6.54). These are useful substitutes when 3820 is unavailable or for building gradients.
When should I use DMC 3820?
Reach for DMC 3820 (Straw dark) when your project calls for fall harvest scenes, monarch butterflies, persimmon patterns, autumn leaves. Its medium character carries both small accents and wider palette work; the harmony picks on this page show natural companions to 3820.
What fabric color works best with DMC 3820 (Straw dark)?
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, 3820 has a contrast ratio of about 2.5:1 on white fabric and 8.3:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.