Attracted to the complex design of the Bargello quilt pattern, I did some research to find out how to put this seemingly complex quilt together. I learned that the original Bargello design is a type of needlepoint embroidery consisting of upright flat stitches laid in a mathematical pattern to create motifs. The name originates from a series of chairs found in the Bargello palace in Florence, which have a “flame stitch” pattern. (Wikipedia).
This pattern as been adopted by modern quilters to replicate the “flame”. It is accomplished by cutting and sewing strips together in a particular order. The size, width, color, and the variety of different shades and hues of the strip sets make for a multitude of pattern designs.
You can learn the fundamentals from Craftsy. Angela Walters has a great 3 minute presentation on making a bargello quilt block .
I followed this tutorial to make my first one. I chose to make a smaller size using vintage fabrics. I made 6 identical strip sets, then sewed them into loops. Then I cut the loops vertically. The trick is to unpick between two squares so that when you sew it to the previous strip, it is offset by one. Angela does a great job of explaining this.
I free motion quilted my quilt using this easy pattern. I quilted in columns from top to bottom. First I quilted the center wavy line then I quilted a line to the right and to the left, adding a circle at each indentation. For the inner border I quilted “e’s) and a simpler wavy line with loops for the outer border.
Visit my previous blog posts to see how I make a binding with a flange and attach it to the quilt by machine instead of by hand. I will never hand sew a binding again! I love this method!
This pretty quilt is a donation quilt destined for the Local Children’s Shelter. The fun is in the making and the joy is in the giving.
The quilt is very spring like and refreshing. Thanks for the explanation of the quilting…..It looks great and I am so interested in learning to FMQ.
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