One of the few Bargello needlepoint treasures I still own is my interpretation of this hand-painted canvas of three beautiful women. I like to think of them as three sisters for they remind me of my sisters and me. Stitching this canvas was loads of fun as I tried to capture a bit of our personalities in the stitching.
The woman at the top of the canvas suggests a hint of my “baby” sister’s nobility and spirituality. The double flame stitch pattern in purple threads symbolizes the quiet and peace she communicates just by her presence.
The middle woman offers a glimpse of my middle sister’s “sweet” side. The love she unselfishly gives to others is represented by the pink and gray scalloped Bargello pattern in the headband.
Last but not least, clues to my personality are found in the woman at the button of the canvas. As the oldest of the three, it makes sense that I would be represented by the woman in the foreground. The blue, coral and gold flame stitch pattern of the headband is meant to communicate energy, vitality and creativity, which give you a quick look into my personal style.
Stitching the hair provided the most enjoyment. For the hair of the woman in the foreground, I used black and gray Silk n’Ivory with the “fly stitch” as the base, and then couched synthetic braided hair on top to depict my long flowing locks. For the middle woman’s hair, Silk n-Ivory in browns and black were stitched over a drinking straw to simulate my middle sister’s curly hair-do at the time. Since only a tiny bit of hair could be seen for the woman at the top of the canvas, I used black Silk n’Ivory with the chain stitch. In those days my “baby” sister wore a smooth sculpted short hairstyle.
Needless to say, it’s been a struggle holding on to this one. Both of my sisters want this Bargello treasure for themselves (but are uninterested in stitching their own). As the oldest, I’ve been able to pull rank and keep it. My daughter has also made it clear to all that if anything were to happen to me, by default the picture comes to her!
