Cathy's Bargello Line Patterns Page

Last updated/links verified 11 February 2004

Visitors Since 9 June 1999

Cathy Decker's Bargello Needlework Page

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This is a very simple line pattern put on a small bookmark. I used variagated thread in increasingly darker shades of green to add more interest to the very simple pattern. I was thinking of trying to add little apple shapes in red, to suggest fruit or flowers, but decided part of the power of this is its extreme simplicity. Unfortunately on the scan, the shimmer and brightness of the pearl cotton is dimmed.

This is my one foray into furniture, a chairback I did in all sorts of shades of yellow, white, and creme Persian wool. I used a simple line repeating pattern. I was feeling really lazy and didn't use a frame, so the pattern is a bit disorted in spots because the tension was not good. However, because 12-count stiffened canvas was used for the bargello, the pattern isn't very affected as it would be if I'd tried something on a larger scale or more geometric. My advise is to use the frame when you use canvas, so you don't fret later (a lesson learned the hard way). This pattern is found on page forty-three in Margaret Boyles' Bargello: An Explosion in Color. (New York: Macmillan, 1974. [It's out of print, but you can order it here from Amazon.com.]

This is not my work, but instead a historical coverlet you can see on the web at this page. The piece is dated to about the 15th century, and the image was provided by an Italian antique store. the pattern is a lovely series of S-shaped curved and traditional flamestitch points.

This image is of the "Chain Mail" pattern done in greens and grey but photographed in black and white for Elsa S. Williams' Bargello: Florentine Canvas Work. (New York: Reinhold, 1967). [It's out of print, but you can order it here from Amazon.com.] . I worked a pillow in this pattern in 10-count using purples, cream, and maroon, and unfortunately never photographed it before sending it to a friend.

Photo Copyright of Parham Park This is a detail of a photograph of a set of period Bargello bed hangings at Parham Park, Pullborough, Sussex, England. These are basically panels of a florentine flame-stitch line pattern joined by twisted, curving needlework trim. These hangings are from the Great Chamber, and the embroidery inside the canopy actually inspired a a maze. For a full picture of the bed, see the The Florentine-Work Bargello Page.

The pillow to my left is a combination of a simple line pattern with open spaces using more traditional needlepoint in what looks like basic tent stitch. This pillow (or a pattern of it--it isn't very clear) is for sale at this website:Always and Forever Needleart: Bargello. The image at left is copyright to that website.

Bargello Line Patterns
Traditional Bargello Patterns
Florentine-Work Bargello
Geometric Bargello Patterns
Bargello Ribbon Patterns
Bargello Links
New Bargello Images
Four-Way Bargello
Original Bargello
Framed Bargello Patterns

Go to Cathy's Embroidery Page
Go to Cathy's Regency Page
Go to Cathy's Regency Fashion Page
Go to Cathy's Hypertext Guide to Regency Romances


This is my one foray into furniture, a chairback I did in all sorts of shades of yellow, white, and creme Persian wool. I used a simple line repeating pattern. I was feeling really lazy and didn't use a frame, so the pattern is a bit disorted in spots because the tension was not good. However, because 12-count stiffened canvas was used for the bargello, the pattern isn't very affected as it would be if I'd tried something on a larger scale or more geometric. My advise is to use the frame when you use canvas, so you don't fret later (a lesson learned the hard way). This pattern is found on page forty-three in Margaret Boyles' *Bargello: An Explosion in Color.* (New York: Macmillan, 1974. [It's out of print, but you can order it here from Amazon.com.]

This is not my work, but instead a historical coverlet you can see on the web at this page. The piece is dated to about the 15th century, and the image was provided by an Italian antique store. the pattern is a lovely series of S-shaped curved and traditional flamestitch points.
	This image is of the "Chain Mail" pattern done in greens and grey but photographed in black and white for Elsa S. Williams' *Bargello: Florentine Canvas Work.* (New York: Reinhold, 1967). [It's out of print, but you can order it here from Amazon.com.] . I worked a pillow in this pattern in 10-count using purples, cream, and maroon, and unfortunately never photographed it before sending it to a friend.
Photo Copyright of Parham Park	This is a detail of a photograph of a set of period Bargello bed hangings at Parham Park, Pullborough, Sussex, England. These are basically panels of a florentine flame-stitch line pattern joined by twisted, curving needlework trim. These hangings are from the Great Chamber, and the embroidery inside the canopy actually inspired a a maze. For a full picture of the bed, see the The Florentine-Work Bargello Page.
	The pillow to my left is a combination of a simple line pattern with open spaces using more traditional needlepoint in what looks like basic tent stitch. This pillow (or a pattern of it--it isn't very clear) is for sale at this website:Always and Forever Needleart: Bargello. The image at left is copyright to that website.