Althea had a great post recently about filler stitches to go around Needlepoint Bargello. If you have a Bargello medallion or with open spaces, you will want to add some stitching around them. While any stitch will do, straight stitches are easiest to use and compensate around the pattern.
Because it’s supposed to be a background, you will want a less busy pattern in a single color. In an older post, I have some ideas on stitching backgrounds that can be applied here.
Here are some other small straight stitches that would work for Needlepoint Bargello backgrounds.
The straight stitches and flat, light look of pattern darning are perfect to set off Bargello. While there are many variations, this simple 3-1 darn I use over and over.
Double Linen is one of my favorite background stitches. It’s small, and has a great texture. It also looks much more complex than it is to stitch.
Triple Hungarian is a variation that replaces the single stitches of Hungarian with three stitches. Many stitches can be varied this way to make lovely patterns.
Ming is another favorite stitch, Because the shape is rounded, it will be particularly nice as a background for Bargello with lots of curves or rounded shapes.
Venetian is a new stitch to me, it’s a smaller version of Victorian Step and will make an excellent background.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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