Bargello Needlepoint

The Great Lady of Bargello, Janet Perry, will be opening up a whole new world of creativity by teaching Bargello needlepoint to visitors at this year’s Maker Faire at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds near the SF Airport – Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31, 2009 [...]

Unlike other needlepoint stitches, the Bargello stitch with its long and somewhat loose effect can cause a problem when anchoring the first stitch of a needlepoint project. The best way to solve the problem is to use a waste knot to secure the beginning strand, which can later be clipped off and removed [...]

In Bargello needlepoint, the tent stitch combines successfully with other Florentine embroidery stitches to create stunning designs. An area worked in tent stitch will be flatter than the surrounding Bargello stitches and therefore will provide quite stunning effects. Use the tent, continental and basketweave stitches to accent your needlepoint project when [...]

Like most needlepointers, I have a huge stash of hand painted needlepoint canvases, and also like most avid stitchers I will not be able to complete them in my lifetime (or my children’s for that matter). So, I had this simple yet incredible idea to re-cycle the hand painted needlepoint canvases I’ve collected throughout the years and use them to stitch Bargello designs [...]

I came across this post on the Craft Stew blog and decided to follow the link to see what I could find out about printing needlepoint with an everyday garden variety inkjet printer. The detailed and quite thorough article written by Judy Heim is a MUST READ. Although I tend to prefer hand-painted needlepoint designs, it might be worth exploring this more economical and do-it-yourself method [...]

I’ve always been fascinated by Faberge Eggs. Did you know that only 69 of the original 105 jeweled eggs created by Peter Carl Faberge still exist? Over the past two centuries, designers and artists have made many reproductions. There are even hand-painted needlepoint canvases depicting a stitching version of these eggs [...]

Looking for needlepoint kits for journals and photo albums? Then you must visit the AMH Design Contemporary Needlepoint site. These designs provide clever ways to spruce up a back-to-school notebook and the kits make great presents for writers or journalists [...]

Got a simple needlepoint project that needs a little pizazz? Use Bargello Borders to dramatize basic motifs and create interesting design areas. Treat needlepoint borders stitched in a Bargello pattern like you would a picture frame for needlework. You supply the central motif and Bargello Borders take care of the rest.

Bargello needlepoint designs vary from the simplest of flame patterns to the more complicated Florentine embroidery patterns. Designers usually rate a Bargello pattern based on the ease with which it can be stitched. When choosing a needlepoint project, consideration should be given to the Bargello pattern’s skill level. Here are some tips for selecting your next project.

Green your Bargello needlepoint and help reduce greenhouse gases. One of the best ways to do this is to use eco-friendly threads. Natural fibers like cotton, silk and even bamboo can help keep the environment clean because of the way they are manufactured. Here’s how you can help [...]

Those of us who are addicted to needlepoint are unaware of it ever dying as an art form and beloved hobby. But the rest of the world is declaring its rebirth–a Bargello needlepoint renaissance. A lot of folks are blaming the slow economy for its resurrection. Others are discovering Bargello needlepoint’s stress-reducing benefits. Whatever the explanation, recent surveys indicate that interest in needlepoint is up 30% mostly because of its social aspects.

It’s a tradition in my family to give graduating seniors two special gifts: Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss and a handmade needlework item. My daughter usually provides the book and I supply the needlework. This year’s graduates will receive Bargello needlepoint items. My niece, who is graduating from college, will get this lovely Bargello needlepoint leather pouch; and my nephew, who is putting high school behind him, will receive a Bargello needlepoint leather wallet [...]

Bargello needlepoint key rings are quick and easy spur-of-the-moment gifts for those impromptu occasions when you just feel like blessing someone with a handmade item from your Bargello needlepoint stash. And, now with so many pre-finished accessories that can be purchased quite cheaply from your local discount department store, it’s easy to stitch and save them for future use [...]