What was I thinking!!
 

Okay, tell me to take a deep breath and that I can do this!

I started this really neat Bargello without looking carefully at the "map." I wanted to use 21 shades of purple and I wanted to make a mobius shape, which is like an infinity sign or like a figure 8.

I am now about 1/3 through with it, and I am going to like it. BUT, the pattern has fifty-three 1 1/4 inch strips and four one inch strips. That means after taking a 1/4 inch seam on each side of those, I end up with a 3/4 inch strip and even some 1/2 inch strips. That is really small and gets very complicated, at least for me. (Visualize sewing a strip that is one inch wide by 40 inches to another strip that is one inch wide by 40 inches. Then doing that 60 times! I will not tell you how many mistakes I have made already....)

Anyway, I am exhausted just thinking about the rest of this quilt. IF I had looked more carefully at the "map," I would have known what I was getting into. I read the instructions several times, and I knew what I was getting into there. I just didn't look carefully at the map.

Here is where I am....and it is going to look good, but this will take a lot of Dr. Pepper and brownies before I am done... This isn't my first Bargello, more like my 13th, but I assure you that I will ALWAYS look at the map harder from now on! The first 17 strips are sewn together, then next 17 are just pinned on my design wall, and not all of those strips are sewn together....thus the white showing through from my design wall.)

So, if you don't mind, tell me to calm down, that I can do this....

(The lighter purples are not as white as they appear in the picture, I promise...)

Dina

It is going to be gorgeous! You can do this! You can do this! You can--------d---th. Good luck.

I completely understand what you mean. That is why I won't attempt a bargello! So far, yours looks wonderful.

As my husband always tells me "Breath In, Breath Out", now that said your quilt is looking wonderful and I can't wait to see it finished. I have always wanted to do a bargello and am envious that you have done 13.

I made a wall hanging similar to this. I won't do it again! I sewed it in two pieces then joined the two pieces. I look at it now and think I can't believe I made that. LOL

It look fabulous so far! I admire your tenacity. Deep breaths; deep breaths. Take some breaks. Get up and walk away after you make a couple of mistakes - because we all do. That will give you fresh perspective. You can do this.

It looks good on the wall.

Maybe you are already doing this - but you could pin a number on each strip -

1 top, 2 top, 3 top, 4 top, etc.

I get things mixed up - even when labeled.

You can do it, just take one step at a time.

I've made a couple of vortex quilts (think "Infinite Variety", the red & white quilt show) and one of them was a wall hanging. The center pieces were a quarter inch. Once I figured out what I was doing, it was easy. Just take it slow.

Thank you so much, each of you. I was looking for a challenge, but not this challenging a challenge. :) I will take more breaks and try to be patient....which doesn't come naturally to me. Your calming words do help.

Dina

That's going to be a humdinger of a quilt when it's finished. I love the colors you are using in it. Since you've already made 13 other bargello quilts then I know you can do this one. Just take one day at a time (or every other day) & yes, the Dr. will help you out in the rough times (brownies won't hurt either!). I can't wait to see it completed.

That's going to be gorgeous!!! But gosh, that's a lot of seams in very small spaces!

That is looking so wonderful! YOu know you can do it. Your talent is already evident. Just keep going it will be so nice when it is finished!

I ran into a good deal on ebay one day and bought a partially cut batik bargello in the round, the book and the 10 degree ruler for less than the book and ruler would have cost. But, when I began looking at the pieces already sewn and cut, I about fainted! No wonder she gave up on it. LOL! Now being the frugal person I am, I am piecing together the eighteen different fabric wedges to make a whole cloth to play with. It is coming out okay, but omg, what a mess!

That is exactly what I did. I have things carefully labeled, but I still managed to reverse two of the colors. I have decided to just like the colors in the "new" order.

I am slowing down a bit. That should help. :)

Dina

I'm working on my very first Bargello quilt. It's a Christmas table runner. I read the directions about 57 times before it finally sunk in what they were trying to say! I feel your pain with the little strips, because I have some that are cut at 1"!! If I can do it, you can too!! ;-) Good luck & please post your finish!!

Just think of the old saying: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

You can do this! It will be so gorgeous. Think of how proud you'll feel when it's done.

Keep going Dina, remember to take a few breaks so you don't get tired and start to make mistakes. You are working on a complicated pattern and it is sewing up wonderfully.

Take a deep breath, have a brownie break, take a walk to recharge your soul. Most of all enjoy the doing.

Love how far you have gotten.
peace

Again, thanks everyone for your encouragement. This project may teach me patience, something I always have wished that I had. Tomorrow I plan on sewing the 17 strips together and then start cutting the next 17. We'll see if I have set too large a goal. :)

Dina

You can totally do it! It looks so beautiful, I've decided I will have to make a bargello quilt. Whatever the order was you switched, I think it must have been a happy accident, because I can't imagine it looking better than this.

Just stunning!!! You most certainly CAN do this!!! What you have so far almost ( in small tentative voice here) makes me want to try one. Stress 'almost' please!!! I am no where good enough or patient enough to deal with all of those lovely colors in one quilt. You are really rockin so far!
sewverybusy1

Dina, remember......you've made up your own patterns before on bargellos, and they turned out beautiful. You CAN do this! Just take your time and don't forget to breathe!

You can do it!

It's beautiful. Hang in there. The finished project will be worth it.

At least you have it layed out! It looks great. Maybe take a break and start an easier project. Just cutting out different fabric, sewing a few easy seams can be relaxing. Sometimes our brains just need a little rest. Just don't take this off your design wall!

OMGsh Dina. That will be gorgeous! Just thinking about those narrow strips and ALL THOSE SEAMS TO PRESS would have me climbing up the wall. The colors are beautiful.

When you see some of the prettiest, most stunning quilts, either on line or at shows, remember that the majority of these were not completed in 3 weeks or less. Go slow with the piecing. Keep your seams straight. Of course you can do this. I've seen what you can do!

Just hang in there, breathe deeply and then proceed to the next step. It's going to be absolutely gorgeous.

It is going to be gorgeous! Just take your time & take lots of breaks. You can do it!

Wow! You have a good memory! The Bargelos I did without patterns NEVER had 1 inch strips, I guarantee that. However, with all of the positive feedback here, and with the start of a new day, I am off and rolling again. It is really going to be an amazing quilt. I just need to be patient enough to get it there. :)

Thanks for the encouragement.

Dina

Really beautiful! You can do it! Just don't drive yourself through it. Do a few strips, take a break, watch a little tv, eat a brownie, then go back to it. It's the only way......or would be for me.

Good luck! You'll have a gorgeous quilt when finished!

You are still braver than I!

I would think cutting and stitching all those little strips would be the hardest part. There you are...Hard part over! Go for it. It will be (IS) beautiful.

Wow, that is going to be beautiful. I'd need more than Dr Pepper and brownies....!

Wonderful, Wonderful job! It is going to look great. I have a pattern for a Bargello that I bought 4 years ago and I still do not have the courage to start it.

You can do it, you can do it, you can do it, you can do it.

JulieM

This is going to be a masterpiece Dina, just remember to stop and eat the brownies. :D

Dina, yes you can do this. I know what you mean about the tiny strips. My mom and I took a class on how to make on years ago. She sewed the strips all the same way and they shifted on her; I tried to tell her last strip out - first in. So hers were going downhill; she couldn't get it together so I brought it home with me; I had to take out many, many of those small pieces and correct the seam allowances before they would 'fit'. Like others have said; when it gets frustrating, take a break or give it a day. You are making great progress and it's going to be fantastic when you get it done. Just keep plugging along.
I also have that pattern and many others I inherited from my mom's stash. I should get busy on another one. I enjoyed it; it's not a wasted day if you learn something new!
Don't give up. You CAN do this; be sure to post your final project.

It will be gorgeous and you will be so proud.
Don't think about how many more you have left. Just keep working on it and it will go faster.

You are doing great! Remember to keep breathing, and to take lots of breaks! You can do it!!

It is going to be beautiful. I would be anxious to see this one finished if it was on my design wall. Great job so far!

It's going to be awesome and yes you can do it!

I live in Colorado where there are lots of 14teeners. You conquer them one step at a time. You have chosen a magnificent quilt pattern and you conquer it one step at a time. It will be wonderful and you can do it-one step at a time.