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.
I asked Bobbie: Why the bargello fixation? And, tell me about being an art historian into mid mod. She replied:
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
Thank you, Bobbie — very inspiring. I also love your idea of taking the finished canvas to a local upholsterer to finish — brilliant idea. I’ll build on it: Watch for vintage velvet or wale corduroy at estate sales. Or for vintage-style velvet or wale corduroy at large fabric outlets — this fabric will be in the upholstery section. It’s my experience that vintage pillows were backed with velvet or wale corduroy. Regarding welting (the piping cut on the bias that goes around the edge): I just went upstairs and checked all my vintage bargello pillows. Some have the welting (all the larger ones, d0), some do not. I think you can go either way — although I love the extra finished look that welting adds. And of course, you need a zipper so you can clean the pillow.
Anne Fontaine says
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.
Annie B. says
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.
pam kueber says
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!
Annie B. says
Zowie! You know I will!! Thank you, Pam!
Dawn Singh says
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.
Bobbie says
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
Nina says
What kind of thread do you use and also the count on the canvas
Charlotte says
Bobbie, these are great! I hope your hubby gets his wish of a Space Invaders pillow too. I’d love to see that. 🙂
clampers says
Another craft project to add to the list!
Bobbie says
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
Patty says
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.
Marta says
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.
Lynne says
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.
Janice says
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.
Bobbie says
Hi!
With bargello, you don’t use a hoop! I think it might be because the yarn is so thick!
Best,
Bobbie
pam kueber says
Erica did: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/02/15/erica-wilson-shows-us-how-to-do-bargello-needlepoint-in-this-1971-video/
Christine says
Where can I find cleaning instructions? I have two stitched Bargello pieces that need to be finished into cushions, and would like to clean them first, but don’t know how to do it.
http://xinef.livejournal.com/pics/catalog/2190/23446
http://xinef.livejournal.com/pics/catalog/2190/53499
Marta says
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.
Jenny says
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.