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KNOWLEDGE BASE - TRADITIONAL QUILTING
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, documentation exists 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.
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
stitch heights. 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
base 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. The
earliest signed/dated Log Cabin quilt was made in 1869. The Log Cabin
is a totally fascinating pattern, in all of its variations, and its appeal has
lasted for several centuries, certainly continuing unabated today.