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| 3 Steps to Bargello Quilts |
Have you ever been captivated by the rhythmic flow and movement of a Bargello quilt? These visually stunning creations often appear intricate and complex, but thanks to Carol Thelen of Quilt Notes, the mystery behind Bargello quilting becomes beautifully accessible. In her tutorial titled “Bargello Quilt Basics: 3 Steps to Bargello Quilts”, Carol breaks down this dazzling technique into a clear, manageable process that any confident beginner or seasoned quilter can follow.
If you’ve been curious about diving into the world of Bargello quilts but have hesitated due to their seemingly elaborate designs, this tutorial is a wonderful place to start.
What Is a Bargello Quilt?
Bargello quilts are known for their undulating wave-like patterns and dramatic visual flow. Inspired by a type of needlework embroidery from Florence, Italy, Bargello quilts are pieced from strips of fabric arranged in a way that creates stunning vertical or diagonal curves—no curved piecing required!
The technique relies on color gradation, precise strip piecing, and a little clever slicing and rearranging.
Carol Thelen's 3-Step Approach:
In her helpful tutorial, Carol Thelen simplifies the process into three clear steps:
1. Sewing Fabric Strips Together:
Begin by choosing a collection of fabrics with a natural color progression—light to dark, warm to cool, or from one hue to another. Sew these fabrics together into a strip set. This becomes the foundation of your Bargello quilt.
2. Creating a Tube and Subcutting:
After sewing the strips into a large panel, you’ll sew the first and last strips together, forming a tube. From this tube, you’ll subcut vertical strips of equal width. Each of these strips contains one segment of every fabric in your strip set, creating the color variation necessary for the Bargello effect.
3. Seam Ripping and Rearranging:
This is where the magic happens. By carefully seam ripping a specific seam in each strip and repositioning them so the colors "shift," you'll begin to see the characteristic curves take form. Arrange the strips in the correct order, sew them together, and voilà—your Bargello quilt top emerges!
Fabric and Design Tips:
- Choose fabrics with strong contrast to emphasize the movement.
- Keep values consistent across each strip set to avoid muddy transitions.
- Start small! Try a Bargello table runner or wall hanging if you’re new to the technique.
Carol encourages quilters to take their time in planning and laying out their strips—this part of the process truly makes the design sing.
Carol Thelen provides detailed instructions, helpful images, and thoughtful tips in her post. Whether you’re aiming for a small project or a full-size quilt, this tutorial sets you up for success:
Final Thoughts!
The beauty of Bargello lies in its illusion of complexity—yet with the right approach, it becomes surprisingly achievable. Carol Thelen’s tutorial strips away the fear and reveals a structured, creative process perfect for quilters ready to try something bold and exciting.
If you’ve been looking to challenge your piecing skills or simply want to create a quilt that feels like art in motion, the Bargello technique might just be your next favorite adventure.
Happy stitching—and may your fabric always flow in beautiful waves!
