Question about doing a Bargello......
 

I am getting ready to do the Diamonds Jubilee Bargello. I want to do the king size, and all of the initial strips have to be cut 2 1/4 inches. Can I cut all these 2 1/2 inches or will that create a major catastrophy???? Just wondering, because if I can do 2 1/2" strips I can use my june tailor shape cut ruler :).
Thanks so much Crystal

It will change the proportions of the quilt.

And it will make a bigger quilt. I did two sizes of a Surf Song bargello. I made each strip 2 inches rather than 1 1/2 the pattern called for on the second quilt. Both quilts look good, but I really liked the one better where I followed the pattern exactly. There is a difference in the patterns of the two, though it isn't a large difference. Let me see if I can find pictures, if that helps.

Let me repeat, both look good. But it may help you decide. I know it is a different pattern.... The first picture is with the width the pattern called for. The second is i/2 inch larger for each strip.

Maybe it will help...

Dina

It will affect the length of your quilt. For every strip of color, add .25" For example, if you had 10 fabrics in a strip and had 6 strip repeats, your quilt would be 15" longer. I would suggestion that you cut your strips as suggested in the pattern. Good Luck !!

If you only want to make it wider.. when you cut your strip sets and an extra 1/4 inch to each strip set cut. If you add just extra to just the first strips( prior to sewing the strip sets) it will be longer but not wider.
I did this on a bargello and it had no effect on the final design appearance. I did go through and added a strip of paper across the top of the strip set cutting guide and put the new measurements. I figured at some point it was likely I would forget to add the extra.

I haven't done a bargello yet, but, what if you sewed a little larger seam? Wouldn't that give you the right measurement for each sewn piece needed in the pattern? Or did I just have too much dinner tonight and am too full to think?!

Hope everyone had a nice Easter!

Hello,

I forwarded your question to the quilt designer. She is a local and teaches this class herself in our quilt store. Let's see what she has to say. I will let you know as soon as she answers me.

Lori is right. I remember now that I add 1/2 inch to the width of my strips and I added 1/2 inch to the size of each of the strip set strips that I cut. So my quilt was both longer and wider than the original pattern, which was my goal.

Rereading this, it might only make sense to someone who has made a Bargello. :) But I did want to sort of "set the record straight." (I also did like Lori did, making my map guide at the top have the measurements I wanted to end up with, because I knew I would mess up otherwise.)

Dina

For those interested in the pattern, I see there is a class available Apr 29th.
Here's a link: http://www.quiltersqrtrs.com/classes.html
I would like to just find the pattern - it a beauty!