Mouliné Spécial 117MC LIGHT - DMC

Mouliné Spécial DMC 117MC Chiari – 6-Strand Egyptian Cotton Embroidery Thread

100% long-staple Egyptian cotton | 8m – 6 separable strands | Cross-stitch and traditional embroidery

📋 Key features

• Composition100% long-staple Egyptian cotton
• Spool weight2 grams
• Length8 meters
• Structure6 easily separable strands
• Recommended needleTapestry n°24-26
• Recommended fabricAida 14-18 count
• WashingHand wash 30°C, no spin cycle
• Ideal forCross-stitch, traditional embroidery, delicate shading

🧵 The yarn

The Mouliné Spécial DMC 117MC Chiari is the most appreciated cross-stitch and traditional embroidery yarn in the world, made from 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton. The CHIARI series brings together the most delicate and luminous shades in the DMC catalog: perfect for soft shading, romantic projects, newborn layettes, and shabby chic embroidery. Thanks to double mercerization, each spool offers a brilliant, silky finish that is resistant over time.

Each spool contains 8 meters of thread with 6 easily separable strands, which you can use with 1 to 6 strands depending on the fabric and the desired effect. The compact 2-gram format is ideal for small and medium-sized projects, while the separable strand structure ensures maximum versatility on Aida, linen, cotton, and regular weave fabrics.

🧬 Technical composition: why it works

Long-staple Egyptian cotton is the premium raw material for embroidery: the extra-long fibers selected by DMC ensure tensile strength, smoothness through the needle, and a natural luster that enhances every stitch. Unlike short-staple cottons, Egyptian cotton does not twist, break, or form knots during work, making embroidery smooth and enjoyable even for beginners.

Double mercerization is the chemical treatment that gives DMC Mouliné its brilliant, silky appearance: the fibers are immersed twice in an alkaline solution that increases their luster, wash resistance, and ability to absorb dyes evenly. This process ensures solid colors over time, light resistance, and colorfastness even after numerous washes.

📦 Spool format and performance

Each DMC 117MC Chiari spool contains 8 meters of 2-gram thread, divided into 6 separable strands. With one spool, you can create approximately 200-250 cross-stitches on 14-count Aida fabric using 2 strands, or 150-180 stitches using 3 strands for fuller coverage. For medium-sized projects (10x10 cm), allow 3-4 spools per color, while for large charts (30x40 cm), allow 8-12 spools per dominant shade.

We recommend purchasing all the spools needed for a project at once: although DMC guarantees color precision between different batches, small shade variations can occur between productions made far apart in time. Store the spools in a dry place, away from direct light, to preserve the brilliance of the light colors.

🧶 Recommended work

For cross-stitch on 14-count Aida fabric (the most common), use 2-3 strands with a tapestry needle n°24-26: the round-tipped needle glides through the fabric holes without separating the fabric threads, ensuring uniform and precise stitches. On 18-count Aida (finer weave), 2 strands are enough, while on 11-count Aida (wide weave), you can use 3-4 strands for full and visible coverage. The ideal thread length to thread into the needle is 40-50 cm: excessive lengths increase friction and the risk of knots.

To separate the strands without creating knots, cut a length of 40-50 cm, gently grasp a single strand at one end and pull it upwards with a slow and steady movement, letting the other strands naturally unroll downwards. Avoid pulling multiple strands at the same time: this is the main cause of twisting. DMC Mouliné is also compatible with traditional embroidery on linen, cotton, and free-weave fabrics: in this case, use a sharp-tipped needle (embroidery needle) to penetrate the fibers.

✨ Why choose DMC Mouliné 117MC Chiari

The CHIARI series solves a concrete problem: finding delicate and luminous shades that do not fade after the first washes. Many inexpensive yarns lose their brilliance and color uniformity already after the first wash, ruining hours of work. DMC Mouliné guarantees solid colors over time thanks to the selected dyes and double mercerization, which fixes the pigments deep in the fibers. This means that an embroidery made today will have the same luminosity even in 10 years.

The universal DMC numbering is another concrete advantage: every color has a unique code recognized worldwide, which allows you to find the same shade even years later or complete international charts without matching errors. The 6 separable strands offer a versatility that single-strand yarns cannot guarantee: you can adjust the thickness and coverage depending on the fabric, create shading with strands of different colors, and achieve relief effects by varying the number of strands.

🎨 What you can create

The light and delicate shades of the 117MC Chiari series are ideal for cross-stitch on 14-18 count Aida fabric, embroidery with soft shading and color transitions, projects for children and newborns (layettes, bibs, blankets), shabby chic and vintage style embroidery, romantic details on clothing, tablecloths, and cushions. The silky brilliance enhances every stitch, while the wash resistance ensures durability over time even on items used daily.

👩‍🎨 Who it is suitable for

DMC Mouliné 117MC Chiari is suitable for both beginners and experienced embroiderers. The 6 easily separable strands, universal numbering, and smoothness of the thread make learning cross-stitch smooth and enjoyable even for those starting out. The thread does not twist, break, or form knots: essential characteristics to avoid frustration during the first attempts.

Experienced embroiderers appreciate the consistent quality, wash resistance, and vast numbered color range, which allows them to complete complex charts with absolute precision. Those who sell handmade creations choose DMC for the guarantee of durability and the brand's reliability, while those who give embroidered gifts know that the work will retain its beauty over time.

🧼 Maintenance and care

• WashingHand wash 30°C with mild soap
• BleachingDo not bleach (sensitive light colors)
• Spin cycleNo spin cycle, wring gently
• DryingLay flat to dry, do not tumble dry
• IroningIron on the reverse side on a clean towel
• StorageStore in a dry place away from direct light

📌 Important note

📊 Technical data summary