Everything You Need to Know About our DMC Soft Matte Cotton (Retors Mat)

We’re so excited to offer DMC Soft Matte Cotton skeins now individually: all 285 colors available for you to build your own palette, complete a project, or experiment freely!

Whether you're new to needlepoint or looking to expand your thread collection, this guide will introduce you to the beauty of DMC Soft Matte Cotton (also known as Retors Mat) and how it compares to DMC Perlé #3, which we also offer.

What is DMC Soft Matte Cotton?

DMC Soft Matte Cotton, or Retors Mat No. 4 is a non-divisible, matte-finish cotton thread made from long-staple cotton. It’s smooth to the touch, slightly fuzzy, and incredibly easy to stitch with, making it a favorite for traditional and modern needlepoint alike.

✨ Main Characteristics:

• Distributor: DMC

• Type: 100% long-fiber cotton, gassed and combed

• Finish: Matte (non-mercerized)

• Strands: Non-divisible

• Length: 10 meters per skein

• Available Colors: 285

• Best For: 10 double mesh and 12-14 mesh canvas

• Price: Budget-friendly

Because it's not mercerized, Soft Matte Cotton has a beautiful softness to it. The thread lies flat and fills the canvas well, making it a top choice for full-coverage projects or pieces where you want a soft, natural finish. 

What is DMC Perlé #3?

DMC Perlé Cotton #3 is a mercerized, twisted thread with a subtle sheen. It’s also non-divisible and easy to use, but it behaves quite differently from Soft Matte Cotton on canvas.

✨ Main Characteristics:

• Distributor: DMC

• Type: 100% mercerized cotton

• Finish: Shiny

• Strands: Non-divisible

• Length: 16 meters per ball

• Available Colors: Limited palette

• Best For: 13–14 mesh canvas

• Price: Slightly higher 

Because of its twist and sheen, Perlé #3 produces more defined stitches and is excellent for decorative needlepoint, textured stitches, or for projects that will be handled more like accessories (such as our Key Fob kits). It’s less soft and more structured than Soft Cotton, think of it as crisp and neat, versus plush and smooth.

Side-by-Side Comparison

When to use each one?

Choose DMC Soft Matte Cotton if you:

• Love a matte, painterly look

• Are working from our counted needlepoint charts

• Want a wide range of colors

• Are stitching on 13 to 18 mesh canvas

• Prefer threads that are soft and easy to pull

Choose DMC Perlé #3 if you:

• Prefer a clean, crisp, slightly shiny stitch

• Are doing decorative or textural stitches

• Want a firmer, more structured thread

• Are stitching on 13-14 mesh

• Don’t need a large range of colors

You can even mix the two in creative projects: Soft Cotton for backgrounds and coverage, Perlé for contrast or texture!

Why We Love Soft Matte Cotton at Unwind Studio

We chose DMC Soft Matte Cotton for many of our modern needlepoint kits and charts because of its soft texture, high coverage, and vast color range. It’s versatile, beginner-friendly, and works beautifully on both mono and interlock canvas.

And now that we offer the skeins individually, you can:

• Refill colors from past projects

• Buy only what you need for digital charts

• Mix & match to create your own color palettes

• Experiment freely with blending and custom designs

Where to Find It

All 285 colors of DMC Soft Matte Cotton are now available individually at Unwind Studio. Whether you're stitching a WIP, starting a counted chart, or simply want to play with color, we’ve made it easier than ever to get exactly the threads you need.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between DMC Soft Matte Cotton and DMC Perlé #3 isn’t about right or wrong, it’s about the finish, feel, and look you want to achieve.

We hope this guide helps you feel more confident in selecting threads for your next project. And if you ever need help deciding, we’re always here to guide you through your creative journey.

Happy stitching!