I agree it is a help however I only use DMC floss when I stitch unless it is a Dimensions kit. When I started stitching 30 years ago I tried other types, but found DMC was the only one which was worth the money. If a pattern calls for another brand I get out my conversion chart to DMC and change over to DMC.

Me too Syagel.

Me three! Except for black and white. I use Anchor.

I use DMC also, but I'm having trouble finding conversion charts from some brands, especially DFN (used in Janlynn kits). Do you have any suggestions?

Not good to convert kits, unless you're converting all the color. They aren't an exact match.

If you go to the Janlynn website they show a conversion chart for their floss to the DMC floss colors. You can also go to Cyberstitcher.com for conversion charts for many different kinds of floss. I have copies of most of them printed out and in my binders. If you are going to convert to another type of floss it is best to convert all of the colors and not just some. Each company has its own different sheen, and not exact match.

Texas Stitcher, why do you like Anchor white over DMC? I have DMC but not Anchor to compare, but I have noticed that the DMC white is not as "bright" as the white that came with one of my Dimension kits. Is that why? And what about your preference for the black thread?

Check out DMC B5200. They must have gotten a lot of complaints back in the day.

arottenbucher, I like Anchor white because it seems to lay flatter, my stitches look more uniform. Although I LOVE DMC I have noticed that some colors stitch up more nicely than others. Some seem thicker. Others seem to "work" after you stitch where it looks like not enough tension was used. I like the black because it seem to provide better coverage. DMC's black floss seems thinner and linty. I had to stitch a Vikings' helmet for my son once (never again) it was mostly black and I noticed it then. Later I read the stitching instructions that Mary Jane's Cross Stitch used to publish in her catalog and she mentioned what I just related. I then felt somewhat vindicated. I always thought that I was doing something wrong.
Anchor is a nice floss, just very expensive. I don't know if it still is since I have the entire DMC color spectrum. DMC is more readily available as well.
Of course these are just my opinions and experiences.
Oh, supposedly the color of the dye has something to do with why some floss colors are different.

jlhewes, perhaps the cotton does not come from Egypt in those cases.!!!

Perhaps the Mercerization processes differ for various non-colors like b/w. They soak the cotton in a couple of mineral baths & sometimes run it through a flame. Makes it fatter, take dye better & shine more. I've found the same as you with Anchor black / white floss.