Bargello embroidery: patterns, ornaments. Threads and fabric for embroidery

Today, no one can say for sure when and where the art of decorating objects of the wardrobe and interior and ritual textiles with patterns created with a needle and multi-colored threads was invented. In any case, the art of embroidery is not less than 3-4 thousand years, and maybe even more. Whatever it was, on different continents, a lot of techniques were invented, which differ from each other in the way of stitching, the texture of the surface of the resulting products and the themes of the drawings. Among them is embroidered burgello, the schemes of which allow creating magnificent pillowcases, lambrequins and upholstery for armchairs and sofas.

A bit of history

Florentine embroidery, better known as the bargello technique, was invented in the Middle Ages. Although the Italians claim that it was invented by residents of the northern regions of their country, there is a legend indicating its Hungarian origin. It is said that many centuries ago Princess Jadwiga was given to the Polish king. She brought a lot of beautiful things to her dowry, which was adorned with unusual embroidery threads. To surprise the new subjects, the Queen undertook to make a vestment for the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest. On it Yadviga embroidered the arms of the two countries. The Poles liked the technique so much that local girls and women began using it to decorate their toilets and dwellings. Later secrets of such embroidery were learned by the Italians, who called her bargello. Another version of the origin of the technique bargello says that it became known in the city of Perugia at the turn of the 10th-11th centuries thanks to Queen Griselle (969-1038) - the wife of the King of Hungary Stephen the First.

Revival of burgello embroidery

After the Second World War, Europe was freed from "junk". Everything that was reminiscent of life before the cities of the Old World began to fall bombs from the sky, and people marching through the streets in Nazi form, was declared insipid and vulgar. Such a fate went to embroidered gizmos. Soon, even the old women stopped wasting time creating handmade decor objects to decorate their homes, contenting themselves with shop goods, and young girls in general could not be put on the hoop. Most likely, the burgello embroidery (the schemes are presented below), which was not so popular because of the complexity of implementation and labor, would have been forever forgotten. However, everything changed in the 70s, when several young designers were looking at it, they were looking for new sources of inspiration. They began to use products with the decor made by Florentine embroidery, as a bright accent in the monochrome interior.

What will be required

First of all, you need a suitable fabric for embroidery. Experienced craftsmen recommend using a cotton cloth with a rare binding, for example, a single rare canvas. In addition, you will need:

• Needles with a wide eyelet and a slightly blunt end (tapestries No. 18, 20, 22 and 24 are well suited);
• Bright threads (for beginners it is better to choose thread floss);
• Small sharp scissors;
• Hoop (for small jobs you can use round, the right diameter, and for large fabrics you should use a frame).

The best is Florentine embroidery with threads of the same thickness as the holes in the fabric. Otherwise, the product will be very stiff or the pattern will appear from under the pattern, which will worsen its appearance.

If a mulina is used, it is recommended to disassemble them and reconnect them. In this case, you will get a more magnificent and beautiful embroidery.

Features of technology

Embroidery bargello (schemes can be thought out independently on the basis of existing ones) comes out bright and has a magnificent view from both sides.

Stitches in bargello are embroidered from left to right, and vice versa, provided that the pattern is the same. Before you start to work, according to the chosen pattern on the canvas put the markings.

If this is your first burgello embroidery, it's better to choose the simplest schemes.

Types of stitches

The most important thing in bargello is the nature of the seam. The main stitches in this technique are made by classical vertical embroidery in 4 strings. Then a subsequent seam is made, which should be moved slightly to the side by one vertical thread. Thanks to this technique, the pattern from 2 sides of the embroidery is identical.

The stitch described is basic, but there are schemes that are performed in a different way. In particular, depending on the pattern, the size or offset can vary. In addition, in cases of square embroidery, the stitches must be horizontal.

The only thing that remains unchanged is the use of only one thread between paired stitches.

Herringbone

The technique of burgello embroidery is quite diverse. For example, using oblique seams, you can get a pattern of "herringbone". Such a figure is formed by crossing the thread at the base. In this case, they lie at an angle, and the seams reflect each other, as in a mirror. This gives the picture a special texture. Such a stitch often embroider handbags and wallets, and also perform upholstery for upholstered furniture.

Basic Ornaments

There are several ways to embroider the basic patterns in the Florentine bargello technique. Most often use a pattern with pointed ends. As a result, making stitches in width, get an image of a zigzag shape, or, as it is called in Italy, a carnation.

The technique of burgello embroidery attaches great importance to the combination of threads of different colors. In particular, you can use the creation of a pattern first with stitches of one shade, and then another, which are arranged in one direction. With this version of embroidery, each subsequent seam is placed above or below the previous stitch.

Arches

The ornament for embroidery in bargello is not always pointed. Often, circular patterns are used for the pattern. Such arches in the bargello technique are created due to the special location of the seam. The difficulty lies in the exact choice of the distance to get a figure of a specific size. Even the most experienced craftsmen use the schemes put on the canvas for this purpose. When embroidering, stitches are lifted 3 threads up, if you want to get a thin and high arch, and for the wide one you need to make stitches at your level, then raise them by 2 threads.

Flame

Recently, in the interiors of the most luxurious apartments in Europe and the US, you can see embroidered pillows with a pattern resembling fire. This is a fairly complex option, which is not as easy to implement as it might seem. The pattern is an open arch. However, it has an important feature: it has under itself the same element, but in the mirror opposite. In this case, the stitches are embroidered in a shade that does not differ much from the background background, and the subsequent "wave" is made with threads that are darker or lighter by one tone. This overfill gives the product a special flavor.

Scales

Such an original and intricate pattern is considered one of the most difficult, but it is with it the most beautiful look embroidered pillows. Scales are created on the basis of "flame", but in a more bizarre way.

To perform this pattern, you need to take a string of the shade you liked and make the first row. Then you should continue in accordance with the pattern of embroidery patterned "flame", but trying to get squares with rounded edges. In the final form, the pattern will consist of a series of small humpbacks and hollows.

Kaleidoscope

Such a non-standard ornament is executed in the form of a square, with a repetition of the figure in a coup. In order to embroider it, two oblique strips should be made, with a repeated pattern. The work begins with the creation of a triangle, which is embroidered at the top. Then it is turned over and performed the second same figure. In this case, the thread color alternates. As a result, you should get a square figure consisting of 4 repetitions of the same type of ornament.

Master class embroidery for beginners

Those who recently began to study the technique of bargello, can try to perform a beautiful pattern in the form of a heart. Required:

• Form of plastic in the form of a heart;
• scissors;
• Multi-colored yarn, for example a moulin of bright colors;
• Needle for embroidery tapestries;
• Fabric for embroidery.

Procedure:

• Unwind the thread by 50 cm;
• Insert it into the tapestry needle;
• On the left side of the mold make a vertical stitch in the direction from the bottom to the top;
• Skip 2 squares on the fabric so that a seam equal to 4 squares is obtained;
• Retreat to the right;
• Climb 1 square higher;
• Embroider parallel stitches, retreating to the right, as if ascending up the steps;
• In the same way embroider the next 5 stitches vertically;
• Fix the thread from the wrong side and hide its end under the stitches of embroidery.

Further:

• Make 4 bars at the bottom to bring their total number to 9;
• Retreat to the right;
• Repeat the previous actions;
• Retreat one segment to the right and a little higher;
• Make a stitch;
• Repeat all the same actions as described above;
• Fix the thread from the wrong side of the embroidery, and the ends are hidden under the seam.

The result is the first "wave". Then change the color of the thread to a different shade, achieving an iridescent effect. Fasten the thread and continue to embroider.

The second tier begins to be performed on the left side of the plastic form in the form of a heart, repeating the same pattern as before.

At the end of the work, the edges of the resulting figure are trimmed in a stitched manner.

A multi-colored embroidered heart can be hung on a wall or sewed on a bag as an element of decor.

Florentine embroidery: embroidery kits

The most difficult moment for working in bargello technique is the development of circuits. For its implementation, it is required to make a very precise calculation of the pattern blocks to create its clear geometric outlines.

For this reason, sets for embroidery in bargello technique, first of all, include such schemes. In addition, they can include threads of various types, cloth and needles with a wide enough eyelet.

Now you know some of the secrets of the old Florentine embroidery technique on a single canvas. As practice shows, teaching how to create products in the bargello style is not so difficult as it might seem at first glance. Taking this kind of needlework will make your leisure more interesting and will help decorate the interior with products that store the warmth of human hands. For example, pillows, wall panels or bright lambrequins look great, which perfectly fit into the Art Deco design. In addition, the decoration in the form of Florentine embroidery on the objects of the wardrobe will turn them from banal to exclusive and attracting everyone's attention and envious looks.