Bargello update
 

Okay, I've added 3 more colors, but I'll need to lose one. The new ones don't have numbers on them and 2 of them aren't batiks. Is it ok to mix batiks and non-batiks? Let me know what you think, please. My feelings won't be hurt. I just want to do it right so I'll love it afterwards. Thanks

I don't think the non- batiks fit in well. The other fabrics are fabulous.

I've not yet done a Bargello so I probably don't know a thing but, the two unnumbered fabrics just don't seem to fit with the mood, tone, texture or whatever you call it of the others. Just MHO. Such beautiful fabrics so far.

I agree with the above - the two non-numbered just don't do anything with the rest - which are just beautiful. If it were me I would keep looking.

ditto, I do not care for the two new ones with the others, just stand out too much, IMHO

I agree, the fabrics are all beautiful but the 2 without numbers don't go with the rest of them. Hopefully you can find another batik or at least one that resembles a batik with a solid mottled look.

Ok, what about the batik in #8 spot?

number 8 works great, maybe try for a marbled fabric instead of the other two if you are having trouble finding tweo more batiks.Other than that, the rest of your choices are beautiful!!

I mix batiks with non batiks in a lot of quilts but i would not do that in a bargello unless the non batiks "read" like batiks (such as some of the Robert Kaufman Fusions or Moda Marbles or another blender)

The two prints you have inserted with no label do no flow like is needed in a Bargello. Like on the river posted they do not have the same mood or tone.

Additionally you have several colors that are extremely close in value. If you have a photo editor tool on you computer that you can switch and view your fabrics in a black and white setting you will better see. Here, I attempted to do that for you. This gives you a good idea of the light medium dark values you have. You can see fabrics 9-14 have very little change in value. And fabrics 20 and 21 don't seem to be in the correct placement for value either if you are attempting a light to dark gradation.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]438205[/ATTACH]

Edited to add #8 is a great "zinger" leave it as a fabric choice but you may need to reassign its placement.

I'd pull out the non-batiks, and take the new blue batik and put it between 16 and 17 or between 17 and 18, maybe switching 17 amd 18.

Thank you feline fanatic! This really is a great way to see the values

The flavor's just wrong on those non-batiks. What is it about batiks that make other fabrics placed next to them seem like cheap imitations??! LOL

Your colors are beautiful, but I think they are too close in value. Keep looking, but it's hard. The black and white copy shows how close the values are with many of the fabrics. This is the hardest part of making a Bargello pattern. I tend to pick colors that I like and end up with mostly medium values. Keep trying the quilt will be beautiful.
Sue

I would take #8 and switch its position so it's between #23 and 24.

The two unnumbered ones, while lovely in and of themselves, don't seem to "go" with the others -- save them for another project.

I'm going to try to attach a photo of a bargello I made last year in hopes it will help you.

I think it's okay to mix non-batiks with batiks but you have to be very careful with it. The non batiks have to fit in. In this case, I don't think they do. I'd leave them out. I like the #8 fabric though maybe in a different spot as others have said.

If I may add an opinion, i do mix non batiks with batiks occasionally as long as they seem suitable. I am having a bit of difficulty with the fabrics as I am not sure if the colours are coming through accurately in my computer. I would ask that the fabrics be separated by colour and that each colour group be arranged in light to dark order. The more colours that you have the more wiggles will be emphasized in the finished quilt. I know the fabrics will work but I think that the fabrics need to be sorted by colour first. JMHO
Eileen Wright
author - "Twist and Turn Bargello Quilts" and "More Twist and Turn Bargello Quilts"

Mistey's mum , have you got to have 24. Try taking out as suggesting with no more in. Any better. Fudge's mum

to feline fanatic - Meow Wow Wow- sounds like you know what you're doing. What is photo editor? Can any camara application work, or is it associated with a quilting program?

I have ordered more batiks to see if they play nicer with these. They should be here soon and I'll post them also. Eileen, I didn't think about grouping the colors. Will try that.

I agree about the non batiks. may not be a good choice
... and the #8 is questionable!

I am closely watching your progress. I want to make a bargello and picking the colors intimidates me. I agree with the others, the non batiks just don't seem to do it.

So how is it coming? Any progress yet? What did you decide?

I kinda put it on the back burner for awhile. Can't seem to find light batiks to blend with the other colors. Any suggestions? The fabrics are sitting in a box waiting their turn.

Morning misty's mum
I would remove the one with small flower shapes. It doesn't seem to fit.
Fudge's mum

it is perfectly ok to mix non-batiks with batiks---that latest blue bargello I posted everyone loved so much has more non-batiks than batiks, but has both along with a fairy frost or 2...the thing about a good bargello color run is getting the 'Values' right---going light to dark, with good contrast. if all of your fabrics are mediums you don't get the *drama* . I know everyone is saying to pull those new ones---but I kind of like them- fabrics look so different when cut into a narrow strip- try opening up your fabrics-then laying them on top of each other with only 2" of each showing...that will give you a good idea how they actually will look together

Don't care for the NON batiks at all..!

Which bargello were you doing again? I have all the bargello books, maybe I could help with a direction if I knew that. Also, were you set on the gray? Depending on the pattern, maybe going towards the purple side for your first four would be a better transisition and you might find some fabrics in that color way. Without them being face to face and only a photo, little hard to be sure of colors in their true form. Also, as I have found out, it does take time to find all the fabrics when you are working with 24 of them for a quilt and they all need to flow.

I have never made a Bargello but do love the look! I think I would take out #1 and two that do not have numbers (between 1 and 2). In place of removing those 3 colors I would look for something blue or gray in color or remove the gray completely. Looking at the post from DDuMouchel and Feline Fantatic I think perhaps you need to change out a few of the fabrics as they are too close in value. Just my two cents - can't wait to see it when you are done!

Im planning to do surf song

The new ones don't go with the others.... you are supposed to have two darks, two lights and the others inbetween... some of those are close to each other... I did a class and that was what I was told... also look at them through your camera and what doesn't go will stand out...

I agree with you Misty Moms. I have done numerous Bargellos especially the Twist & Turn. I would eliminate the THREE that don't have numbers. That batik has too much turquoise. But I do like all the others. I have seen a lot of light batiks recently on Hancock's website in Paducah.

The only other suggestion I have is to lay the fabric out by length and kept the width between the fabric with the same width specified in the pattern. That will also give you a better look at what the strips will look like when you start cutting them. This was NOT my final selection. You really HAVE to be happy with your selection because if you change your mind in midstream as I did on this bargello, it is really difficult to make the changes. Never again (I hope)!!

So funny, I have the book in my car. Try this with your colors:
take out #1, next print, next print, and your possible #8 first. Since you are working in warmer tones, take what you have and put all the browns/orange/red (red being the dark possibly on this set) and line them up light to dark, #1- how many ever, she has 16 colors for main flow in surfs song, then line your greens up light to dark. The color selection she instructs is to be sure number 1 is the lightest color of one color family and #9 is the next lightest color of second color family. So you are going to need 8 of one color family and 16 of other. It looks to me that you have close to enough of the browns to be #9-24 and may need the greens to be what you need to add to that will have browns to coralate to.

Try taking out the 2 not numbered and go this way 13,14,19,5,17,16,one between 7 & 8 18,23,24,20,21,22
Just a thought.