Here is another advanced Florentine design. At first it may appear to be extremely complicated to work; but closer inspection of the pattern yields the key to stitching success.
Found on pp. 116-117 in Bargello: An Explosion In Color by Margaret Boyles, this 6-1 step Bargello pattern is worked using stitches in two lengths.
The designer suggested working the outline stitches for the medallions first; and then filling them in. I found that the key to stitching a 3″ square sample that would showcase all aspects of the pattern, was to stitch the outline of parading diamonds first, followed by the white outline.
I used the recommended colors: white for the outline, three shades of green for the medallions, rust, dark orange and cream for the diamonds that parade across the center of the Bargello design. I suppose you could stitch the design without the parading diamonds; but they lend such a stimulating effect.
Madeira’s Mouline Egyptian Cotton Hand Embroidery Thread was used to stitch most of the design. Silk n’ Ivory was used for the white outline.
[...] Day 53 [...]