3856 — Mahogany ultra very light
Oranges family#E5A472
Need details on DMC 3856? This medium-light, vivid orange shade (Mahogany ultra very light) is hex #E5A472, RGB 229, 164, 114. 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.
About DMC 3856
DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Floss (Mouliné Spécial)
- Also sold as
- Buff
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Strands
- 6 strands
- Sold as
- 8 m skein
Brand Equivalents for DMC 3856
The five closest matches in each brand, ranked by CIEDE2000 perceptual color difference.
Anchor
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colors
Closest match to DMC 3856 in 67 more brands
The single nearest shade in every other palette we hold, from needlepoint silks and wools to fuse beads and yarn. Match quality is perceptual color distance: 93% and up is hard to tell apart, under 75% is a visible shift.
More stranded cotton
Hand-dyed & overdyed
Silk
Wool for needlepoint
Metallic, rayon & specialty
Other threads & beads
Fuse beads
Yarn for crochet & knitting
Need the runners-up, or a whole pattern converted? The thread conversion chart ranks every alternative for DMC 3856 (Mahogany ultra very light) in any brand.
Similar DMC Colors to 3856
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 3856
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.
Saturated shades like DMC 3856 (Mahogany ultra very light) punch above their stitch count — ideal for the one detail in a design that should grab attention.
DMC 3856 in other DMC lines
DMC reuses base numbers across its specialty lines, so the same shade can exist as a satin, a metallic, or a sparkle floss under a prefixed code. Here is where Mahogany ultra very light turns up.
DMC 3856 is a Mouliné Spécial-only number: there is no Satin, Light Effects, or Étoile version of this shade. For a sheen or sparkle in the same tone, blend one strand of the nearest metallic with two strands of DMC 3856.
Diamond painting: the same number is sold as a drill — Diamond Dotz D3856, Diamond Drills USA DMC3856. A kit legend or drill bag marked 3856 means this color. See the diamond painting DMC chart for every code with drill availability.
Color Harmonies for DMC 3856
DMC threads that pair well with 3856, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Oranges Family
DMC3856 in context with nearby shades from the oranges color family.
About DMC 3856
DMC 3856 (Mahogany ultra very light) is a medium-light, vivid shade in the oranges family with warm tangerine tones. With a balanced and lively quality, this thread works beautifully in persimmon patterns and autumn leaves. You will find this color at home in patterns featuring sunsets and warm accents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DMC 3856 look like?
DMC 3856 (Mahogany ultra very light) is a medium-light shade in the oranges family with hex #E5A472 and RGB 229, 164, 114. Stitchers reach for it in projects featuring fall wreaths and citrus motifs.
Which Anchor thread matches DMC 3856?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 3856 (Mahogany ultra very light) is Anchor 347 (Chocolate Light) with a 88% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 362 (Tan Medium Light, 88%) and Anchor 1047 (Copper Light, 87%).
What DMC colors are similar to 3856?
The closest DMC threads to 3856 are 3827 Golden Brown pale (ΔE 4.28), 437 Tan light (ΔE 4.36), and 945 Tawny medium (ΔE 5.47). These are useful substitutes when 3856 is unavailable or for building gradients.
When should I use DMC 3856?
Reach for DMC 3856 (Mahogany ultra very light) when your project calls for fall wreaths, citrus motifs, fox designs, fall harvest scenes. Its medium-light character carries both small accents and wider palette work; the harmony picks on this page show natural companions to 3856.
What fabric color works best with DMC 3856 (Mahogany ultra very 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, 3856 has a contrast ratio of about 2.1:1 on white fabric and 9.9:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.
Is there a metallic or satin version of DMC 3856?
No. DMC 3856 (Mahogany ultra very light) exists only as Mouliné Spécial six-strand cotton — there is no Satin, Light Effects, or Étoile code for it. For a matching shine, blend one strand of the nearest Light Effects color with two strands of the cotton.
What is the diamond painting drill code for DMC 3856?
Diamond Dotz D3856 and Diamond Drills USA DMC3856 carry the same number. Diamond painting adopted DMC's numbering, so a kit legend or drill bag marked 3856 is this color regardless of drill brand — though each manufacturer dyes to the reference in its own batches, so avoid mixing brands inside one large block.
Which other thread brands come closest to DMC 3856?
Outside the main floss brands, the nearest shades we hold are Luca-S 406 (96%), Planet Earth Pepperpot 210 Marmalade (94%), The Gentle Art Simply Shaker 8009 Baked Clay (93%). Percentages are perceptual color distance between the two swatches; anything above about 93% is hard to tell apart on fabric.