Weeks Dye Works Hand-Dyed Floss

1281 — Mallard (obsolete)

Grays family

Below: Weeks Dye Works 1281 (Mallard (obsolete)), a medium, subdued gray shade with hex #7C8072 and RGB 124, 128, 114. Find its closest Gentle Art Sampler, Valdani, and Crescent Colours matches ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 similar Weeks Dye Works shades and a full set of color harmony picks.

Hex
#7C8072
RGB
124, 128, 114
HSL
77°, 6%, 47%
Lab
52.9, -4.2, 7.1
Lightness
47%
Medium
Saturation
6%
Neutral
Hue
77°
Family
Grays

Brand Equivalents for Weeks Dye Works 1281

Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works

Weeks Dye Works 1281 Mallard (obsolete)

Similar Weeks Dye Works Colors to 1281

Closest Weeks Dye Works threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.

Working with Weeks Dye Works 1281

On white fabric
4:1
On dark fabric
5.2:1
Temperature
neutral
Closest to
gray

It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground.

Hand-dyed notes

Hand-dyed threads like Weeks Dye Works 1281 (Mallard (obsolete)) are never perfectly flat; expect soft variegation. Stock up in a single dye lot up front, since later batches can read noticeably different.

Color Harmonies for Weeks Dye Works 1281

Weeks Dye Works threads that pair well with 1281, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.

Complementary
Opposite on the color wheel — maximum contrast
Analogous
Adjacent hues — smooth, natural transitions
Triadic
Evenly spaced at 120° — vibrant and balanced
Monochromatic
Same hue, different lightness — great for shading

Grays Family

Weeks Dye Works 1281 in context with nearby shades from the grays color family.

About Weeks Dye Works 1281

Known as Mallard (obsolete), Weeks Dye Works 1281 is a medium, subdued shade sitting in the grays family. The restrained and earthy mood of this color makes it a natural fit for storm cloud accents and slate textures. Expect to see it used in rabbit fur and shading across many cross-stitch charts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Weeks Dye Works 1281 — what color is it?

The color of Weeks Dye Works 1281 is Mallard (obsolete) — a medium gray thread (hex #7C8072, RGB 124, 128, 114). It shows up most in castle walls and elephant motifs.

What is the DMC equivalent of Weeks Dye Works 1281?

The closest DMC match for Weeks Dye Works 1281 (Mallard (obsolete)) is DMC 647 (Beaver Grey medium) with a 81% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 3022 (Brown Grey medium, 69%) and DMC 522 (Fern Green, 65%).

Which Weeks Dye Works threads are close to 1281?

The closest Weeks Dye Works threads to 1281 are 1301 Julian (obsolete) (ΔE 5.46), 1256 Thyme (ΔE 5.79), and 1290 River Otter (ΔE 6.27). These are useful substitutes when 1281 is unavailable or for building gradients.

What is Weeks Dye Works 1281 good for?

Weeks Dye Works 1281 (Mallard (obsolete)) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring castle walls, elephant motifs, cobblestone paths, industrial designs. Its medium tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 1281.

Does Weeks Dye Works 1281 (Mallard (obsolete)) vary between dye lots?

Some. As a hand-dyed floss, 1281 shifts subtly skein to skein — that gentle variegation is the appeal. Buy enough for a project in one dye lot and stitch in a random order to blend any variation.