I was reading the directions for a Bargello quilt this morning and I'm starting to get it. :thumbup: But, if all the color strips are sewn together 1-20--in order to create the strips for the rows, one just takes out the stitches in order to get the colors needed? It just seems like a lot of unstitching, but I can see how that'd be easier than trying to sew strips in the order of the rows.... and the reason for the 1-20 sets is getting clearer and clearer. Just checking to be sure I'm on the right track.

Did that make sense?

This will be such fun to select colors for!! I wish it wasn't project #5.

I'm with you about the unstitching,,,seems like a waste of time, but then again, makes it easier to do.
My thinking on making it is the same as yours, but since I haven't made one...I'm actually scared to do it....I'm waiting a while....
I'm sure someone will say that what you are thinking is the way of doing it

The unstitching really isn't that bad. It's only every other row. The rows in between are cut. You might check out Billie Lauder's video on QuiltersTV. She explains the process very well. She also has a good tip about notching every second row to help with alignment. My bargello (which would look better if I used a pattern) was super fast and easy.

I do multiple strip sets. With the bargello colors going up and down, you will file that say fabric #1 appears several times at the top. So does #2 and #3 and so on....but not all colors will appear at the top.
You will have to sew as many strip sets any way you do it...it is just easier to me to sew the sets in order as the will appear in the quilt so some of them. You won't have to unsew any seams in those set.

I kept a pair of really fine embroidery scissors right next to me, and I just snipped the first few threads and the rest just came apart when I pulled. My rows were mostly pretty narrow though. It would be just a simple to open up the seam a little, and cut through all the stitches with the scissors instead of using a stitch ripper.

I looked for the video but it's not available?

Okay--I'll unstitch. I picked a complicated first pattern. :roll:

Thanks!!

The videos on QuiltersTV seem to come and go with no schedule! Some have been on for eons and others are on and then off.

Billie's suggestion for notching is this.... On the strips that you cut to have half a color at the top, go down 3 or 4 colors, fold the color in 1/2 and cut tiny notches on the edges. Be sure to stay within the seam allowance. When you go to sew strips together, these notches will line up with the seams on the strips that have not been cut.

Billie also suggests using an eyebrow razor for the unsewing. I had never heard of an eyebrow razor but it look like it worked pretty slick for her. I just used a seam ripper.

I have the "Twisted Bargello" pattern by Chirs Timmins of Australia if your interested.

Trust me.. I did it the other way.. and it was AWEFUL.. make the srtips.

I tested a pattern for a quilter ooo boy oo boy strips are sooo much easier than all thise little squares.

donnajean--that's the pattern I just bought!! It's the one I'm going to do--try to do. :wink:

Oh gosh--I'd never do squares. I shudder at the thought.

My iron just quit so I need to get to a store before I can keep going. Blast! I was on a roll while the wash finished and before I grab groceries and horse stuff. Sigh.

Don't you just hate it when that happens!!! It's always in the middle of a project when those things die!! It's happened to me a couple of times!!

Hubby said "let's eat at Tim Horton's and go get one", along with all the other errands, so as soon as I top off the buckets in the pasture with HOT water--we're on our way!

I did mine with the strips and it wasn't that bad. They came apart fairly easily.

I'm in the midst of constructing a bargello right now. My pattern called for 4 complete strip sets (fabrics 1-20) and then two partial strip sets (fabric 1-7 and 15-20). Each of my rows uses two full strip sets and one or the other partial strip set, though a few rows don't use either partial set. In each row I have to take apart a few pieces on one of the full strip sets, but the other strip set is used in it's already assembled form. Most of the rows require me to take out a few pieces of the partial strip set as well.

Really it's not as bad as it seems like it would be. My rows are going together quicker than I thought they would. I'm doing things a little different than the pattern calls for, though it really doesn't matter. It has you cut one rows sets, contruct them, sew them to the previous rows, then cut the next one, etc. I don't work well like that. I like to do one step at a time completely before I move to the next. So I cut all my strip sets in the different widths, marked each one with it's row number and piled those up. Then I'm making each row out of it's set pieces and marking it with it's number. When I get 10 or so done I sew them together. It's working out good for me to do it like that.

Good luck on your quilt! I'm having a lot of fun with this one and can definitely say I'll do more.

[quote=barnbum]I was reading the directions for a Bargello quilt this morning and I'm starting to get it. :thumbup: But, if all the color strips are sewn together 1-20--in order to create the strips for the rows, one just takes out the stitches in order to get the colors needed? It just seems like a lot of unstitching, but I can see how that'd be easier than trying to sew strips in the order of the rows.... and the reason for the 1-20 sets is getting clearer and clearer. Just checking to be sure I'm on the right track.

Did that make sense?
Yeah, you are on the right track. I've done several versions of bargello quilts. I cut several widths of vertical rows from the strip sets and add them before I move on. That way, if you get them out of order some how, you don't ruin all the strip sets before you can correct your mistake. The process isn't hard - just pay attention and keep things organized! Good luck!

Brave lady!!!! You saw my mini disaster :) But I'm going to keep at it........Keep us posted on how it goes!!!

Quiltmom04: Those are absolutely stunning! May I ask where you got the pattern for the pink ribbon one???

quiltmom--THANK YOU!! For your advice AND the photos. :-D

Thanks! It's a pattern from Heidi K. Farmer called "Pink Ribbon Bargello" It's an odd size at 44 x 89 - long and narrow.

[quote=barnbum]I was reading the directions for a Bargello quilt this morning and I'm starting to get it. :thumbup: But, if all the color strips are sewn together 1-20--in order to create the strips for the rows, one just takes out the stitches in order to get the colors needed? It just seems like a lot of unstitching, but I can see how that'd be easier than trying to sew strips in the order of the rows.... and the reason for the 1-20 sets is getting clearer and clearer. Just checking to be sure I'm on the right track.

Did that make sense?

I too really resisted the "unstitching" it is counter intuative . I only unstitch for mistakes. But once I tried , and got the hang of it I have been making lots of Bargello quilts, wall hangings , pot holders ... you name it. The method is a bit disorientating at first , but the logic will appear , and the unsewing will seam like a simple way to get great results.
Please post your finished project.

I purchased Colorwash Bargello Quilts by Beth Ann Williams at a yard sale for $4 and have been reading it, and the method you describe is how it is presented in that book too. You sew all the strips together then sew the last strip to the first strip to form a tube and then cut the tube into strips and then undo the seam at different places in the various tube strips and sew them back together. None of the patterns in her book is as complicated as the one you have chosen though! I have decided to try a little doll quilt first to get the hang of it before I try anything more ambitious. My strips are cut and I am sewing them together, but they are starting to curve, instead of staying straight. The author recommends sewing the strips in pairs first and then the pairs together etc to prevent that! Should have reread the instructions before starting!!! Someone else told me to sew the strips first from top to bottom and then the next strip from bottom to top to keep things straight, BUT I bet you know all this already, because just now I am remembering a picture you posted quite awhile back of all your cut strips hanging on a ladder!! Good Luck with your bargello and don't forget to update us with pics!

thoe quilts are beautiful. I tried to make one . It was stretched. I couldn't square it up.

Donna. Is that bargello pattern for sale, for information, or do you just want to give it away?

I have a couple of the patterns for sale. There are 2 versions of the pattern (one has the queen size pattern):

31. Twisted Bargello by Chris Timmins (from Australia) ; Wall Hanging 41” x 55” or Double Quilt 74” x 94”; Using quick strip method. $16.50 (Shipping to a U.S. address by USPS 1st Class Mail $1.00; Insured-add $1.75) or ($4.80 USPS Priority Flat Rate Mail with "free" Delivery confirmation)

32. Twisted Bargello by Chris Timmins (from Australia) Using quick strip method. (All sizes included, Wallhanging, Double, Queen) $17.50 (Shipping to a U.S. address by USPS 1st Class Mail $1.00; Insured-add $1.75) or ($4.80 USPS Priority Flat Rate Mail with "free" Delivery confirmation)

I have a couple of the patterns for sale. There are 2 versions of the pattern (one has the queen size pattern):

31. Twisted Bargello by Chris Timmins (from Australia) ; Wall Hanging 41” x 55” or Double Quilt 74” x 94”; Using quick strip method. $16.50 (Shipping to a U.S. address by USPS 1st Class Mail $1.00; Insured-add $1.75) or ($4.80 USPS Priority Flat Rate Mail with "free" Delivery confirmation)

32. Twisted Bargello by Chris Timmins (from Australia) Using quick strip method. (All sizes included, Wallhanging, Double, Queen) $17.50 (Shipping to a U.S. address by USPS 1st Class Mail $1.00; Insured-add $1.75) or ($4.80 USPS Priority Flat Rate Mail with "free" Delivery confirmation)