I’ve always liked bargello needlework, and since Gustav has an eclectic taste I thought it would work well in the Mill. Bargello is also called Florentine or flame stitch, and there are a lot of lovely patterns out there. Being in miniature, keeping it simple is best. I found a suitable pattern in the book Miniature Needlepoint and Sewing Projects by Kathryn Falk.The pattern is for a wide bench, but the geometrical nature of bargello makes it easy to adapt to other sizes. You just stitch more or less to cover the area you need. To make it easier to follow, I charted the book pattern in full color using Pattern Maker Pro by HobbyWare.
The pattern called for 5 colors worked on 42 mesh cotton Penelope canvas. I chose three blue-greens, one navy and one cream color from my stash of DMC floss. I didn’t have the canvas, but I still had the 40 count silk gauze from my previous attempts at petitpoint and French knots, both of which were unsuccessful. This was no exception. My eyes want to focus on the holes, not the threads even with high magnification. Again, I could feel a headache developing. Here is the old silk gauze photo…too sheer for me, but you can’t say I haven’t tried multiple times.
There is 40 count linen on the market, but I figured I would try a quick sample on 32 count Jobelan to see if I even liked it. I used three strands to cover the fabric here. It does bulk up quickly, but that works fine for upholstery. I’ll just cut down on the padding underneath. This was much easier for me. I need substantial fibers to see in order to stitch.
Since the sample on 32 count turned out so well, I ordered a small piece of 40 count linen. My test on 32 count Jobelan required three strands, but the 40 count linen needed only two. I did try a sample of single thread but it left noticeable bare patches. I opted for medium beige linen to mask any bare spots that might arise with the two strand coverage as well. The linen is less even in texture than the Jobelan, but bargello stitching covers more area so it’s doesn’t seem to impact the end result.
Below is roughly an hour’s work so it does cover a good area rather quickly. The linen works better than gauze for me, though it does take some concentration to start. You have to be so careful with the count, but I can at least see the threads this time. Once you get the pattern started, it seems to go faster as well. I’ve stopped short on the right since I wanted to measure against the seat insert and didn’t have it handy. Bargello makes for a bulkier end fabric, so I want enough to cover the seat insert without having to tuck stitched portions underneath.
I finished up the seat overs rather quickly. The first took roughly 5.25 hours of stitching, whereas the second took only 4.25 hours since I had worked into a rhythm and had pretty much memorized the pattern.
I built the two Chippendale Benches by The House of Miniatures.
I wanted a stain that would complement the vivid bargello needlework, so I opted for Minwax Jacobean. It’s a rich dark chocolate brown. Hmm…now I want brownies. Anyway, I tested a swatch next to stitching to see if it would work before staining the benches.
The stitch itself makes for a bit of a hairball on the back, so I used only one layer of black felt on the cardboard insert as padding.
I glued the felt in place.
Though the 40 count linen is rather stiff, it will still fray. I ran a line of Fray Check around the stitching and let it dry.
I cut within one square of the stitching.
I had stitched 1/8″ beyond the seat insert so there would be excess to still add padding, but I could have used a little more around the edge. I used a black Sharpie (not shown here) around the edges after gluing the linen flaps to the back of the cardboard just in case the linen showed above the wood frame.
I glued the seat inserts in place with a small amount of tacky glue.
I probably should have used a more subdued lightest color than the cream. I think these will be a redo. With roughly 5 hours of stitching time each, it wouldn’t be a big deal to try again with different colors.
In the end, I did sell these on eBay and moved on to a different coloration.
