DMC 517 — Wedgwood

The Story Behind DMC 517 Wedgwood Blue

Named directly after the famous Wedgwood jasperware pottery, DMC 517 carries with it over 250 years of design history. Josiah Wedgwood developed his signature matte blue stoneware in the 1770s, and that specific dusty, sophisticated, slightly greyed blue became synonymous with refined English taste. DMC 517 is an attempt to capture that exact shade in cotton thread — and it comes remarkably close.

What distinguishes Wedgwood blue from other blues in the DMC range is its restraint. This is not a blue that shouts. Look at the hex value (#3B7194) and you will see a blue with significant grey content, pulling it away from brightness and toward something more muted and atmospheric. Compared to the Delft blues (798, 799, 800), Wedgwood reads quieter and more serious. Against the royal blues (796, 797), it feels almost understated.

That subtlety is its strength. Wedgwood blue belongs in designs that aim for sophistication rather than vibrancy — cameo-style silhouette pieces, neoclassical motifs, or anything inspired by Georgian and Regency-era aesthetics. It is the cross stitch equivalent of a well-tailored suit: nothing flashy, everything elegant.

There is a practical side to 517's muted quality too. Because it sits in that greyed-blue zone, it pairs remarkably well with neutral palettes. Combine it with creams, taupes, and warm greys for a contemporary colorway that feels modern even in traditional stitch patterns. Interior designers have leaned into Wedgwood blue as a wall color in recent years, which means stitched pieces using 517 will coordinate beautifully with current home decor trends.

The thread itself stitches smoothly, with the slightly dusty appearance translating into excellent blending capability. If you are working a project that requires smooth colour transitions in blue-grey territory, 517 bridges the gap between true blues and blue-greys in a way that few other shades manage.

One thing worth noting: Wedgwood blue shifts noticeably under different lighting. In cool daylight it reads as a proper medium blue. Under warm incandescent light, the grey undertones come forward and it can appear almost slate-like. Plan your fabric and color pairings based on where the finished piece will hang.