Bargello Quilt How to Video, Free Pattern and Expert Tips: Be inspired by the 3-D optical illusion

Bargello Quilt Idea with Free Pattern, Instructions and How To Video. Magical 3-D Illusion from sewing strips. Great project for Jelly Rolls.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS (Amazon Associate Links):

Rotary Cutter by Fiskar:

Moda Jelly Rolls:

Clover Flower Flat Head Pins:

Ergonomic Seam Ripper:

RECOMMENDED QUILT BACKS (not affiliate; I simply love them!):

The Bargello Quilt looks Intricate, but Sews Entirely in Straight Strips

This pattern is suitable for intermediate quilters that are comfortable with cutting long strips with their rotary cutter. Though there are more than a thousand rectangles in this pattern, all sewing is of long strips, not individual rectangles.

Step by step instructions for pressing (ironing) and sewing are provided. Expert tips will help avoid the pitfalls that often result from sewing long strips.

I am with You Every Step of the Way

The Video Tutorial shares expert tips, shows each step, and helps to keep you inspired to get to the next step and finish this magical patchwork.

An 80″ by 60″ (203 cm by 152 cm) quilt can be made from just two Jelly Rolls, this is the height and width of an American queen sized bed (British King size). If you want a bedspread that hangs over the edges, three modified Jelly Rolls are required. Alternately, you can sew an overhanging bedspread from two Jelly Rolls by adding a 16″ border on three sides.

Some brands of Jelly Rolls have inconsistent fabric quality, that is, not each strip has the same thread count or thread weight. As in any quilt that you put your effort into, you should pick a brand that offers good quality. I used Moda jelly rolls for my most recent Bargello Quilt patchwork, which I was very pleased with.

Avoiding Wonkiness

When sewing long strips together it is important that the strips are fed smoothly through the machine so that they are not stretched. Pinning the strips assures that strips are aligned with one another, but it doesn’t prevent stretching. A walking foot helps, but how you feed the strips into the presser foot still influences stretching. If your strips are stretched as little as 1/16″, you will find that after sewing all forty strips of the Jelly Roll your edges will be off by 2½”!

So, how can you prevent this? Simple.

Each strip is sewing in the opposite direction of the previous one. If a strip is stretched to the right a bit, the next strip will be stretched to the left. This will even itself out after all forty strips are sewn. This is important for both the strips straight from the Jelly Roll, and the ones cut from the cylinder.

Expert Pressing (ironing) Jelly Roll Strips

When the strips of the Jelly Roll are sewn together, adjacent seams are pressed in opposite directions. The instructions sew pairs together first, these would all be pressed in the same direction, then when the pairs are sewn together the seam would be pressed opposite.

Quilting Tips for Precision

A two Jelly Roll quilt (60″ wide) can be quilted fairly easily on your home sewing machine, although for the three Jelly Roll quilt (90″+ wide) I elected to have a friend quilt on her long arm machine. I also found a great single piece backing at Fabtabulous Backs which really helps to find those extra large pieces of fabric.

What’s Next?

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Happy Quilting!!!

[MY-mexg]

This is the 4th Bargello tutorial I have watched - it is the FIRST one where the instructor takes his time to explain each of the steps and their purpose. Thank for the sizing tip!

[caryneisenberg]

Fantastic video!! Extremely educational. Thank you for sharing all of your sewing tricks and pressing tricks. Makes total sense but I’ve never had anyone teach that!! Kudos😊

[sheilakethley]

I followed this video to make my first quilt-I had the same jelly roll so it caught my eye! Still one of my favorites and I love to re-watch!

[bethsmith]

This quilt and tutorial just makes me happy. Cant wait to make it.

[lorieldridge]

This video is awesome! I made my first bargello last fall because of you Ron! It’s beautiful and your pressing instructions and ideas to change the size were spot-on. Excellent!!!!

[MultiRusty]

This is the best quilt tutorial I have seen.
Many thanks

[kathyreed]

Just found yr channel...I've quilted for years but have never made a barhello quilt. I've got my nerve up and then I found you!!! I w be following yr pattern and tutorial and all yr advice!!! Wish me luck.

[TheJAG]

Excellent video for this Bargello. It is beautiful. Your instructions are so good, you are an excellent teacher. Thank you for sharing your time and expertise and this pattern. ❤❤❤❤❤

[maudie]

What a wonderful job at explaining the size strips.. very well job..look how beautiful.. and im sure your wife loves it.. Thank you so much for the information..

[susanswanson]

A friend has asked for a red, white, and blue quilt, he's a army veteran. I have two r, w&b jelly rolls and will be following your directions. Thank you so much. I'll be starting it this coming weekend and hope to have it off to the long armer in two weeks. 🤞😊 Thank you again.

[jeaneflaten]

I have watched a few Bargello videos and this is by far the best. Thank you!

[Carylanne]

I've looked at many Bargello tutorials here, and this instruction is the very best I've watched, TY for the tips on pressing and the free well thought out pattern. Perhaps soon we will bbe able to share our versions to our teacher, Happy to meet you today,

[sheilakethley]

II just made mother bargello, and I always share your video when someone asks for a pattern!

[CrAzY]

You did a great job on your video. Thank you

[HelloBlackbird]

You are a delight! Thanks for the great instructional video!

[lesa]

Sew appreciate your instructions! I’ve watched many & deem yours the best! Thank you!!!

[dianao]

Great video tutorial and loved the 'aha' moment for the seam pressings at alignment time. Thank you!! Best Bargello tutorial instriction I've read or viewed. Now to grab some jelly rolls and get to stitching!

[allinhard]

Hi Ron…wonderful video, beautiful quilt!! So glad you stopped at my place, glad to meet you. Continue the fantastic work.

[KelleysQuiltsandCruises]

I’ve only made a bargello table runner. But it was fun! This video just came up in my recommended in February, 2023. Thank you for concise instructions. I was able to wrap my head around the method in order to make the table runner. But I find a visual always helps me. Thank you and greetings from British Columbia. Canada. 🇨🇦

[szelop]

Probably the best bargello tutorial yet! Thank you!