I'm not sure as I've never made one, but have fabric and Lovers Knot ready to do one.. (well not ready, ready, but have all the supplies) just have to get'r done.

I HAVE ONE! I HAVE ONE! It's called the Elna Lotus and I got it in probably 1978 or so. I carried it everywhere and probably sewed around the world several times on it! haha! I've seen them on EBay for around $200, but I would never sell mine. As a matter of fact, the design is so unique there is one on display ( I've heard!) at the Museum of Modern Art!

Thank you to everyone for your replies and for posting your beautiful bargellos. I will definitely be referring back to all the advice when I begin. which will more than likely will be after the holidays.

I made the table runner from her book for a starter project. I thought it was a blast! As long as you stay organized, I don't think it was difficult.

I love doing the Bargellos. For my first one I jumped in with both feet and made Malinda's Heart in queen size, for my granddaughters wedding. It turned out great. I had never had a design board, due to lack of wall space, but my husband found a childs easel and covered it in flannel for a small design board. I found it useful because if you have the wrong square it will show up imediately. I would put up about 6-8 strips and look it over before I sewed the strips together. I had a small 11x14 cardboard that I proped up by my sewing machine with a swatch of each fabric pinned to it. I used a post it note over each swatch with the number of each fabric. I printed off the pattern and marked each step off as I went. It took a while to pick all the fabric but the LQS were a big help. I am making another Bargello at this time for another granddaughter who is getting married in August. I can't remember the name of that pattern, and too lazy to run up stairs and check on the name of it. I find them really fun. Need to keep your strips orderly.

Not only do you have a fantastic little machine but you have a gorgeous quilt done up in my favorite colors. It is nice to know I do not have the only Elna Locus on the planet. BarbM32

I just finished Twisted Bargello by Chris Timmins. First bargello I did and fun to see the pattern come to life with each row. I too was hesitant but Very easy. Plan to make another on in the near future.

i tried one as a young quilter and found it to be very hard
all the pieces sat in a box in the closet for years til i was cleaning the closet out and drug it out and gave it to a fellow quilter who has 10 times the patience and knowledge i do im sure shell finish it someday. she is so talented we all joke that you could drop her on a deserted island with an army sewing kit and she could make herself a raft and float back to civilization there is nothing that she wont try. shes a great lady and a good friend.
carla

I posted yesterday the progress of my first bargello. This is my most challenging quilt and progress is slow, but I am enjoying it more than any other quilt I have made. I love to challenge myself. It is like a giant fabric jigsaw puzzle, and I love puzzles!

It is time consuming to follow the pattern and get each color in the right spot. Matching seams on each row is also time consuming, but the results are worth the effort.

There is a satisfaction from doing something difficult that I don't get from doing an easy quilt. I would encourage you to give it a try.

Elise