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.