rosalita threads the needle

Well, I'm trying the whole crafting thing again. Since my last thread (last posted in 2017) was called "rosalita knits" it seemed appropriate to start a new one that is more inclusive of whatever crafty shenanigans I get up to.

And here's the first one. I asked recently in the general thread for feedback about the bargello method of needlepoint. Nothing anyone said scared me off, so I've acquired a kit and am ready to get started.



I love these greens. The kit came with two 18-count canvases, the floss, a pack of needles and a threader, and a set of three patterns. I'm leaning toward the design that's shown in reds on the illustration, though of course I'll be using the greens.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Hi, there. I made a bargello belt in the 1970's and it wasn't difficult at all, I didn't think. Nice to "meet" you.

That's a nice pattern and project - and I love green. I did bargello a long time ago. I don't have any so it must have been a gift. I've done one Bargello quilt which might be my favorite of all the quilts I've done.

>2 sallypursell: Thank you, Sally. I've watched some YouTube videos and read up on it, and it does seem quite straightforward. But I love the geometric look of it! I'm not so much for super-froufrou designs so these hit the spot for me.

>3 dudes22: One of the confusing things when I was doing my research was separating out the info about quilting vs needlepoint. The quilting, of course, is not in my skill set, but the general design language seemed similar to the needlepoint version, and I loved the pictures of the bargello quilts I saw.

Hey there Julia, I'm so glad you have a new thread here! I am excited to see your bargello project take shape. I'm totally unfamiliar with that technique.

Hi! I know nothing about bargello - needlepoint is not an area I have any expertise whatsoever in - but I like the greens you've chosen! I look forward to seeing what you make with it.

Hi, Julia! I love those greens, too. I can't wait to see how it turns out!

>5 lauralkeet: >6 PawsforThought: >7 scaifea: Thanks for the much-needed encouragement, all! The greens are lovely, aren't they? One of the things that drew me to the bargello technique is that it's quite common to complete designs with a series of tones of the same color. That sort of look really appeals to me.

Oh, that's a gorgeous pattern for those colors! I've always loved the look of flame stitches.

Pretty greeeeeeens!! I can't wait to see your progress.

I did a large quilted bargello wall hanging years ago but no embroidery. It will be fun to watch your projects develop.

This is the bargello quilt I made. It's an odd angle because it hangs in a hallway and that's the only way I could get it all. The person who quilted it for me did an awesome job. There is metallic thread coming down at an angle from one corner like the sun shining. The middle had a pattern of trees quilted in it and there are all leaves quilted at the bottom. Almost all of the fabrics had some type of leaf shape in it.

>11 avaland: Thanks! I'm hoping I can get started this weekend. It's too dark by the time I get off work on weekday evenings and I think especially at the start I want to have some good strong light to be counting those tiny squares. :-)

>12 dudes22: Oh, that's really lovely! Gorgeous colors and a great pattern. I zoomed in to get a look at the stitching and that it really nicely done. I love the notion of the metallic thread representing rays of the sun coming from the corner. Very clever!

Well, I haven't gotten much done on my bargello piece. I'm finding that the lighting in my apartment is just not very good for such detail work (this is 18-count canvas). Does anyone have a recommendation for a supplemental light source?

I also got slowed down because I had to unpick three rows early on when I realized I had skipped a column on the canvas. Grrr. I'm trying to be more careful, and now that I have the full pattern repeat to guide me it's been a bit easier.

Oh, you need an Ott light. I always wanted a floor-standing one, but right now I have two different desk lights, one from each side, and they are great, full-spectrum lights. They are pseudo-daylight, so I think they should work to reduce depression in the winter.

>15 sallypursell: Oh, I do not know about Ott lights! The full-spectrum blues-busting bit would be a lovely bonus, as I hate winter so very much, and more every year. I will have to investigate. Thanks, Sally!

>15 sallypursell: noting Ott lights for future reference. I set my needlepoint aside more than 10 years ago, a combination of aging eyes and lighting. Lately I've been thinking about the possibility of resuming a needlepoint project that has been in hibernation all this time. I now have progressive lenses which helps the eyesight part but would still need good lighting.

>14 rosalita: I bought a floor Ott light years ago from Joann's. It has the full spectrum fluorescent bulb in it. It's been great. I even bought a 2nd bulb in case the other burned out, but it never has! It's got to be at least 15 years old or more. I had a second Ott light that was a bit fancy, different bulb and I used it to read to in the living room. The bulb kept falling out and the stand broke when we moved. I don't think that one is sold anymore, but I wouldn't recommend that one (although when it worked, it was great to read to). I also have a general full spectrum fluorescent ceiling light in the room I work in now.

Now you can pick up an LED full spectrum bulb (often called a "grow light") and put it in the lamp of your choice (it's a regular light bulb shape) I have one in my reading light.

PS: If you by an Ott light you must use their (more expensive) bulbs.

I spent awhile last year looking for a good full-spectrum light and mostly just got confused! Good to hear the opinions on ott lights.

I ended up with some "full-spectrum" ge CFLs, but they still don't nearly equal sunlight when it comes to matching colors.

>17 lauralkeet: The one I've been looking at also has a magnifier that can be moved out of the way when you don't need it, which I like. And they honestly are not nearly as expensive as I thought they might be.

>18 avaland: Thanks for telling me about your experience, Lois. It sounds like a winning option, for sure.

>19 melannen: It's a confusing topic for sure, Mel. I appreciate hearing all the experiences other people have had to help me sort through it all.

This is the one I'm considering: https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/ottlite-easyview-craft-62-swing-arm-floor-l...

I have had three Ott lights and love them all. The most recent is a floor lamp with a dual head. It also had a shelf for an ipad; but I broke the clamp when I hit it with my foot -- I'm a really talented klutz. I love the new Ott light LED lamps. The light is glorious.

>20 rosalita: That one you are looking at is the same style my grandmother had for years and years. I think my mother has it now. It's fantastic.

>21 lesmel: Oh, that's good to hear! I love hearing from all of you about how long-lasting they are as well. It's always nice to know that you won't have to keep purchasing the same thing over and over.

>20 rosalita: I have the older version of that one. I seldom use the magnifier these days as I don't do the fine work that would call for that.

>21 lesmel: Bet you could find a clamp & holder on line that would work with the light....

Another vote here for the Ott light. I take the table one with me when I go away as I find that hotels, B&Bs, residences and so on are not well lit enough for detail work, and it also doubles as a reading lamp in these circumstances. I would love a floor one someday.

The Ott light has the added benefit of giving off enough heat over your working shoulder that you don't seize up - bonus! I am always cold.

I've had my Ott lights for years, and replaced one bulb once. Otherwise they have been flawless, well-used and well-appreciated.

No progress to report on my own work, but I saw this on Twitter and couldn't resist sharing it here. This is a "Solar System" quilt by Ellen Harding Baker of Cedar County, Iowa (hey! that's where I live) from 1876. Ms. Baker used it as a teaching aid for her lectures on astronomy in the small towns of Iowa. How cool is that?!

Here's a link to the original Twitter post: @womensart1 on Twitter

Oh, whoa. That's amazing!

So glad you like it! Although as a non-quilter I was surprised it was called a quilt since I always think of quilts as being pieced together from smaller bits of fabric and this looks to my inexpert eye as more embroidery on a single background piece. I'm sure it's due to my lack of understanding about quilting.

Oh interesting point! The actual quilting part of a quilt is the stitches that sew together the top, batting, and backing layers, though, I think? So if the embroidery is doing that then it probably counts as a quilt? There are smarter brains about this in the group than mine, though, so I'm interested to see what others have to say.

Ah, so it's the idea of a fabric sandwich that makes a quilt, more than the use of smaller pieces to make a larger piece. That actually makes perfect sense.

I *think* that's right. Again, we should wait for confirmation...

>30 rosalita: yes, that is true. Quilts, coverlets and bedspreads, all defined differently.

>32 avaland: Thanks for that! I love learning new things from everyone here.