How to Make a Bargello
A Bargello originally referred to a type of upholstery stitch used in Florence, Italy during the 17th century. Since the 1920s, Bargello refers to needlepoint stitching that produces a zigzag pattern or a quilting technique. The design in needlepoint stems from rows of straight stitches arranged in a zigzag line and repeated in a variety of colors.
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Instructions
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Bargello Needlepoint
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Interesting patterns in needlepoint depend on the staggering of stitches. Use a pattern or shape from a magazine or from the Internet to form a template. Place the drawing under the needlepoint canvas and then trace over the canvas with a permanent needlepoint marker.
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Where there are straight lines, draw on a single thread of the canvas rather than tracing. Trace around the shapes.
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Count the stitches needed. Most Bargello stitches are vertical using four or eight of the squares on the canvas. Use different colors of the same hues in each row and step by using two threads halfway down a unit of four threads either above or below the threads. The pattern of the steps combined with the color determines the overall pattern.
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If using a pattern, the pattern indicates step stitches by a number such as 4-2, which means sew the stitch by working over four canvas threads and then skipping two threads either above or below it.
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Use two to four threads for each stitch. Twist the thread in the direction that it will tighten. This helps to keep the threads even. Bring the stitch up from the underside of the canvas.
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The flame stitch is the simplest Bargello stitch. Make a 4-1 or 4-2 either up or down the canvas depending on how high you want the peaks.
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Return to the original level either by going up or down and repeat this pattern across the canvas.
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When using more than one thread in Bargello needlepoint, use a laying tool to keep the thread laying flat side-by-side.
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A typical Bargello pattern has three stitches the same height of four canvas mesh thread. The next stitches are staggered be two canvas threads up or down. Continue with the design and vary the stitches throughout the horizontal row.
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Begin the second row using a different color or hue of the first row.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a canvas stretcher to keep the stitches tight.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit colors of yarn image by VisualEyez from Fotolia.com cross-stitch image by Lytse from Fotolia.com
