BARGELLO As with many traditional crafts, the origins of Bargello are not well documented. Although the earliest examples are in the Bargello Museum in Florence, there does exist documentation that a Hungarian connection is possible. In the 18th century, Queen Maria Teresa of Hungary stitched Bargello and her work has been preserved in the Hungarian National Museum. It is unknown if those were distinct developments or if they influenced each other. Both Bargello and Hungarian Point tend to be colorful and use many hues of one color, which produces intricate shading effects. The patterns are naturally geometric, but can also resemble very stylized flowers or fruits. Most agree that traditional Bargello pieces incorporate a series of all vertical stitches (vs. diagonal stitches). Some Bargello pieces use only one height of stitch, but even the earliest pieces combine different heights of stitches. Bargello patterns are formed when vertical stitches are stepped or offset vertically, usually by two threads. The patterns in the steps combined with color changes determines how the overall pattern will emerge. HONEYCOMB QUILT In the first decades after independence, quilts and quilt-making became increasingly popular among Americans. As developing industry made cotton thread and fabrics more readily available, women of various social classes began quilting, often at a very young age. The “Honeycomb” or “Hexagon” pattern can be traced back to 1835. It consists of hundreds of hexagonal pieces of fabric in various colors that have been stitched together. Although the design of the work is based on the bee’s honeycomb structure, its overall effect bears greater resemblance to a field of flowers. LOG CABIN Log Cabin quilt designs are among the most popular and easily recognized of all quilt patterns. Beginning with a center shape, usually a square, the traditional design is made by sewing strips in sequence around the sides of the square, varying the values between light and dark. The blocks can be set together in too many ways to list, although there are a number of named designs such as Barn Raising, Sunshine and Shadow, and Straight Furrow. Simple to construct and easily made with either scraps or planned yardage, the pattern appeals to beginning and advanced quilters alike. Since the blocks were made of narrow strips of fabric, sewing them together on a foundation provided the necessary precision as well as stability. Earliest signed/dated Log Cabin quilt was made in 1869, The Log Cabin is a totally fascinating pattern, in all of its variations. We know for a certainty that the Log Cabin’s appeal has lasted for several centuries and certainly continues unabated today. SPECIAL FEATURE | All Access | 9
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