Everything Papercraft - Bargello

Bargello was originally a needlepoint embroidery technique consisting of stitches that are laid in a pattern to create geometric designs and shapes. The stitches traditionally consisted of wool on canvas, making it a very durable craft and therefore popular for decorating pillows, upholstery and carpets. The modern resurgence of bargello in the 1960s saw the technique adopted by quilters and textiles artists who sew long strips of fabric together to resemble the finished pieces.

Like many other sewing techniques, bargello eventually found it’s way into the world of papercraft where the geometric patterns are recreated with strips of coloured paper. The strips are secured side by side in a vertical pattern, cut horizontally and then reassembled in “steps”, which gives the finished design it’s characteristic geometric look.