Design your own Bargello?
 

I know I've seen hints somewhere on how to design your own Bargello. But now I can't find them again. I did a tote bag and a small wall hanging awhile back (maybe 4-5 years ago). But all I remember of what I did was sewing the strips together. Don't recall how I determined the widths/lengths to cut them.
Help please!

There's some info on here https://bcquilter.wordpress.com/tag/bargello/

I have designed my own bargello designs but I used EQ7 in order to play with the design. You can use any basic Bargello pattern (Northcott has a free pattern) and by changing the width, you can alter it to the size you want by adding addition fabric to the length. Another way would be to draw it out on grid paper.

If you don't have any of the fancy software (like me!) you can always use power point! Say you're going with 8 colours ... so make a bunch of squares in those colours ... line them up in the colour scheme and group them ... then copy and paste lots of them and start moving them up and down ...

If you need more details on this, PM me and I'll be happy to explain in more detail!

I used a free program called Bargello Stretcher for Windows only, not for Mac. Anyway, I played and played with it as I couldn't get my arches how I wanted them as my hands shake so my lines were shaky too. Found out if I swooped real fast on the up and down swoops I could control it better. Finally got it the way I wanted. Of course while putting it together I made some minor adjustments but otherwise I'm very happy how it came out. Don't have a photo of it yet as I haven't quilted it but will have in the next 3 months as there are 5 quilts to be quilted ahead of it. But now I'm ready to make another one as I found its not as intimidating as I assumed. Just have to jump off the ledge and try to fly with it.

here's a link to a free bargello designer http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/~mcoahran/BargelloSketcher/

ooops... i see that Snooze already suggested this, but there's the link in my post
it's nice to read what Snooze's experience was

Thanks for the links and references.
Wish that designer program was an iPad app!!!
Downloaded the free Northcott pattern. That gives me the info I needed to start playing.
I'm thinking of doing one in shades of purple.

Want to see mine...that very pattern in shades of purple??? :) I did make mine about one foot wider.

Dina

Oh that is such lovely purple gorgeousness!
I'm hoping to do mine totally from stash so not sure how it's going to come together. Most of mine seem to be more of the pinky purples than the bluer purples. I do have 5-step gradation in several different groupings within the color range. Think I'm going to have lots of fun playing!