Plus, an update on Jonathan Adler’s bargello pillows:
I can’t recommend them — vintage is far superior and much cheaper
I am obsessed with bargello needlepoint pillows. So, when Bobbie commented on my most recent Erica Wilson story — ” I bought one of her books last spring, along with two bargello books by Margaret Boyles. I have made the most amazing pillows since!” — I emailed her right away.
I wanted to see her bargello creations and hear what she had to say about the process.
She responded right quick — and today we get to see some of her handiwork and how it fits into her midcentury home, built by the architect Irwin Stein.
Bobbie is an art historian, and she runs At Home Modern, a Philadephia business to help people create midcentury interiors. She also has an etsy shop — I neeeeeeed that Jensen Real Flame fireplace! Like me, she is has jumped without hesitation on to the bargello bandwagon.
See? See? You can do this, too — cheap! Me, I want me a Bargello elephant, stat! Read more… see more –>
When we purchased our mid-century home back in May 2010, I went on the search for pillows to complement our 1960′s house. I wanted pillows that felt vintage, but were new. Jonathan Adler was offering gorgeous Bargello pillows in amazing colors and patterns, but that they were priced out of my budget. I began to research bargello and was able to purchase a few vintage 1970′s bargello pattern books from a local needlepoint store and a few more online. Bargello is slowly starting to make a comeback, but I find that the newer publications don’t seem to embrace color and design the way the books from the 70′s did.I’m a pretty impatient gal, so I when I embarked on my first bargello project (the blue and orange Moroccan Windows pillow), I wasn’t even sure I would be able to finish it. However, I found the process to be easy, relatively quick and very rewarding. I was so proud of my handiwork that I was afraid to sew it into a pillow in fear or messing it up (I’m an amateur at the sewing maching), so I found a local upholsterer to sew them for me for $30 a piece.
My advice would be to start with an easy pattern like flame stitch. Once you have the first row of stitches placed, you simply follow the pattern they’ve created. Once you are confident with that, you can try more complex patterns, like miters or custom patterns. Almost any image can be made into bargello. My husband wants a Space Invaders pillow next!
Best,Bobbie
Erica Wilson and Margaret Boyles books on Pamazon (affiliate link):
“Vintage Bargello” on ebay (affiliate link):
“Bargello books” on ebay (affiliate link):
Tip to using the ebay carousel: To go to a particular item, click on its photo (NOT on the ebay logo) — then, click on the lime green “View and Bid” box, which will take you to ebay. Disclosure: When you buy anything from these ebay carousels or after you click into ebay here, it nets me a teensy commission.
Plus, don’t forget Etsy.com — This is likely an even better source than ebay. I poked around and founds lots of great bargello and needlepoint pillows — See them in MY FAVORITES here. Great place to look for vintage needlepoint and bargello books, too.
Bargello needlepoint pillows from Jonathan Adler 
Bargello needlepoint pillows — perfect for mid-century interior designs 
Bargello needlepoint pillows: Troy gets crafty 
Become a fan
Bobbie, those pillows are amazing! (Your house is gorgeous, too.) I’m not super coordinated when it comes to cross-stitch, crocheting, etc., but I may have to give this a try. What a great skill to have.
These pillows wind up at Goodwill regularly. I stop in at my local Goodwill a couple of times a week, which seems excessive, but I find great stuff much more often since I started doing this. I usually am on my way somewhere else, and just make a quick stop. I can surf the store in less than 15 minutes. Wonderful pinch-pleat drapes have started showing up recently.
By the way, if you’re making your own Bargello or other needlework, it’s important, once you’ve finished, to have it cleaned and blocked before you turn in into a pillow. Otherwise, the oils from your hands will act like a dirt magnate, and you’ll end up with stains.
Marta brings up a VERY good point. In the past I have quilted, embroidered, needlepointed, creweled, and sewn. Make sure you wash your hands before you pick up your project. Never wear hand lotion, and try not to eat while you’re working. Even drinking can be dangerous. And I have found that a simple band aid works better for me than a thimble. Just enough protection, but still lets you have a feel for the needle.
If I can add one more piece of advice. Never leave your project on the hoop if you’re using one. Depending on how long you wait before you pick up your work again, it can leave a noticeable ring of soil where your hoop was. As Lynne and Marta suggest, I always wash my hands before working on projects and never eat or drink. At the end of the evening, I take my project off the hoop and put it in a zip lock baggie.
Hi!
With bargello, you don’t use a hoop! I think it might be because the yarn is so thick!
Best,
Bobbie
Erica did: http://retrorenovation.com/2012/02/15/erica-wilson-shows-us-how-to-do-bargello-needlepoint-in-this-1971-video/
Love the yummy blue one in the first photo. i remember making needlepoint pillows in 8th grade art class. Made a dress too. To this day, I do not sew because teachers in those days did not start us out on sewing a simple square pillow or a totebag – like they do now – so kids can build on their talents and confidence with craft and art projects. Instead this destroyed it. At least I enjoy the talents of others! These are great.
Jenny and Patty!
Thank you for the kind words about the pillows! I think you’d both find Bargello fun and easy! A few words of advice … Yarn is getting harder to find. The old standard, Paternayan has recently discontinued production. There is another company now making a good wool yarn for Bargello (you need a yarn that is easy to divide, so standard craft store knitting yarn is out), but the name escapes me. I’ll find it and post it later. I also like a 13 canvas (I usually use two or three strands with it).
Hope this helps!
Bobbie
Another craft project to add to the list!
Bobbie, these are great! I hope your hubby gets his wish of a Space Invaders pillow too. I’d love to see that.
Bobbie, where did you get your pillows blocked? I have made bargellos in the past and did it myself, which can be difficult to get straight, and have had it done. But that was years ago. I don’t even know where to go to get one blocked. You MUST block them or they the design will twist.
Hi Dawn!
Actually, I didn’t really “block” them per se…I just ironed them with lots of steam on the ironing board (no pinning, etc.) and they are just fine!
Best,
Bobbie
I’m obsessed with those sofas. What a gorgeous house.
Pam, I have some vintage bargello books I found for use in collage, but would love to gift you with them with you if you’d like.
You are so sweet, Annie B. As I recall you have my address. Hey, email me with your address, too. As luck would have it — I have something I set aside for YOU sitting right here on my desk!
Zowie! You know I will!! Thank you, Pam!
Wonderful post and thank you, especially, for the comparison of vintage and new bargello. I am dismayed to learn that Paternayan is discontinuing their wools. Lucky enough to snag a garbage bag full of wool yarn in a variety of colors and shades, I haven’t had to worry about a source for a long time. I’ll keep my eyes open. I really want a bargello elephant, too.
Hi!
I’d be happy to share the elephant pattern if anybody wants it! It’s a bit tough to follow…I had to improvise as I went!
Best,
Bobbie
Oh, please do! That elephant is adorable!!
Bobbie and I discussed this. We cannot “give” the pattern, because it is in a book, which is copyrighted. If you want to make the elephant, start watching for the book on ebay or amazon:
A New Look at Bargello
Carol Cheney Rome, 1973
Crown Publishers
Hey Pam, off topic here. The pillows are great but the living room, yowza! as soon as you mentioned Phila I had to check out the At Home Modern site and all the info about the house. I have probably driven past this house at one time. Didn’t recall it being featured in NYT but I sure remember the article on RR (It was love at first site).
oops! make that Love at First Sight.
Hey Jay!
My home hasn’t been featured on RR, but I LOVE that idea! Thanks for checking out my site
Bobbi, hello! I was referring to Pam’s site which i discovered via NYT. But yes, your house should definately be featured on RR. Your house should also be on a modern house tour if you could put up with people trouping through your house. I once did Chester County Day
( I like old houses as well) and could not get over the enormous amount of people that lined up to tour the houses. Liked your web site as well. Thanks for sharing your design insiight with Pam and the RR crowd.
Hey Jay!
The house was on a tour last October – we had 120 people in 4 hours! It was a modern homes tour sponsored by DOCOMOMO-US Philadelphia…I am a founding board member. You can find more information about the group on facebook. It stands for the DOcumentation and COnservation of the MOdernist MOvement.
Also, I love showing the house off (we’ve even had people knock on the door), so if you’d like to see it sometime, we can probably arrange for that!
Please keep in touch!
Thank you for this discussion. It brings back fond memories of my grandmother who used to do a lot (and I mean A LOT) of needlepoint. Nothing was modern or retro or anything relevant to this site but they were beautiful, nonetheless. Besides pillows, I remember the needlepoint seat cushions on her Queen Ann dining room chairs.