Bargello: Florentine Canvas Work

by Elsa S. Williams

The sriking, repetitive patterns of Bargello embroidery occur in the indigenous needlework designs of many lands. Its origin is very old and no one can say with any certainty where it was first created. Known by many Flame Stitch, Florentine, and Hungarian Point, for example, it has been used in combination with other surface embroider stitches, particularly in Middle European border motifs. Working on mono-thread canvas, using the same stritch in specified geometric arrangements, Elsa Williams has designed and adapted 55 different and individual Florentine Canvas Work patterns. All of these are reproduced as large as possible, each on a separate page with 15 in brilliant full color. Every design is provided with a list of suggested colors, keyed to a full-color chart of seven tapestry yarn color families and the various hues you will need from dark to light, plus three different grays and, of course, black and white. Suggestions for the best uses of each of the particular patterns such as chair seats, decorative bands, pillows, tapestries, and wearable accessories, etc. are also given in each instance. In an interesting, short introductory chapter the author recounts the history of the Bargello stich as she traced it back as far as she could to the Middle Ages in a recent trip to Florence after it was ravaged by the flooding of the River Arno. Starting with the Bargello Museum of the Museo Nazionale in that city, the story moves to Hungary, Poland, and back to the Medici in Italy. One glance through the vivid patterns which make up the bulk of the book will tempt you to begin to embroider something at once in this easy, yet fascinating, stitch.

Genres: Crafts

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Chelsea Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very brief overview of Bargello embroidery. I enjoyed the history she gave and how she simplified the craft. The designs are great inspiration but are not patterns with complete instructions to do it yourself.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking into consideration that this was published in 1967, it’s a great resource for both beginner and advanced stitchers. I REALLY wish more of the designs were shown in color though.

[Kathryn Baron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly quite a few of the photos are in black & white. Still a useful reference.

[MissJessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been my "go to" book for years. A nicely illustrated, color, well designed and well written book more for beginners I guess than truly advanced needlepointers, but still, really handy when you are sitting there with your canvas and yarn and haven't a clue what you want to make.

My copy is certainly beaten up and marked up, but I still look at it regularly and use it both for instruction and inspiration. Mostly, I would think book is useful for making toss pillows or perhaps chair upholstering (dining room type chairs).