Making a Bargello Quilt
 

I have been wanting to make a Bargello quilt for a couple of years. Bought the pattern and have been waiting for the right time. Haha. I haven't done that much quilting so I have some questions. I have a jelly roll that I would like to use for my quilt. It has the batiks in the colors I want. However, my pattern calls for strips 2 x 32 and my jelly roll strips are 2 1/2 by 46. Can I use them instead of the size called for and will it still work if I do. I would like it to be larger than the pattern and if by using the longer and wider strips, it would be larger that would be great. But I don't know if by changing the size I would change the quilt. In my thinking I figured it wouldn't matter as long as I still did it like the pattern said. Can anyone help me with that? Thanks.

You could draw it out on graph paper and color it in to see how the change in dimension would affect the design.
This might be somewhat time consuming, but worth it.
I'm assuming you don't have EQ7 or a similar computer program to do this.
I know it is also possible to use a spreadsheet or MSPaint for this.

I think a lot of it would depend on if the pattern calls for the strips to be 2" wide to begin with, or if they'll end up 2" in the quilt. If it's the latter, the 2 1/2" strips would give you a good seam allowance.

most bargellos have you sew strip sets and then subcut those into different width strips then sew into blocks, your design won't look just like your pattern but I see no reason not to give it a try, heck that's how we learn what NOT to do.

Check out maple quilts new bargello pattern. It might be close to what you are thinking of.

http://www.mapleislandquilts.com/whatsnew.asp

Yes. 2.5" strips will work as long as they are 40" long. The quilt will be larger, but will look the same. 2.5 " is 1.25 x the original 2", so 32" strips x 1.25 = 40" required length of 2.5" strips.

Who's pattern are you using?? I have done many Bargellos and I would take the time and cut the widths of your Jelly down to 2.0" If this is your first Bargello, you don't want to mess with changing the width that you cut from your sewn strips. Just follow the pattern carefully and I am certain you will have a lovely quilt to cherish !!

It could depend on the pattern and the final dimensions of the finished quilt you want. Having done lots of bargellos I have often used a wider strip width , but it depends on the pattern. Can you tell us which one you want to make?

I think that if you used the 2.5" strips, and still cut everything the same width from the stratas, your quilt would come out the same width as the pattern, but 25% longer. It would be the same pattern, just elongated. (50 cent word) Ann

The strips really vary in size in a bargello also you usually need several strip sets of the same color. the strip size is fine because you cut the strip sets, but you would probably need more than one set of the same jelly roll as you usually need several strip sets