Have you ever seen a beautiful bargello quilt and thought, “That looks way too hard for me”? With their flowing waves of color, they look like something only a master quilter could create. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret: if you can sew a straight line, you can make a stunning bargello table runner.
It’s true! The magic of bargello quilting isn’t about complex stitches or tricky patterns. It’s all about sewing simple strips of fabric, cutting them, and arranging them in a clever way.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through every step of how to make a bargello table runner. We’ll use a jelly roll to make things extra easy. You’ll be shocked at how quickly you can create a beautiful piece that will have everyone asking, “How did you do that?” Let’s get started.
First, What is a Bargello Pattern?
Before we start sewing, let’s quickly talk about what makes a bargello pattern so special.
A bargello design is made by sewing long strips of different colored fabrics together. Then, you sew those strips into a big tube. The real magic happens when you cut across that tube to create rings of patchwork. By changing the width of your cuts, you create that amazing sense of movement and flow.
If you cut all the rings the same width, you get a lovely but straight pattern. But when you cut them in different widths—some wide, some narrow—you create the beautiful waves that bargello is famous for. For our table runner, we will be cutting different widths to get that gorgeous, flowing look.
Gathering Your Supplies
Getting your tools and fabrics ready ahead of time makes the whole process smooth and fun. This is a perfect project for using a jelly roll, which has pre-cut strips that save you a lot of time. Here is what you’ll need.
| Item | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Jelly Roll Strips | You’ll need about 16 strips (2.5 inches wide). Pick a good mix of light, medium, and dark colors, plus one bright “accent” color to make the pattern pop. |
| Sewing Machine | Any machine that can do a straight stitch will work perfectly. |
| Cotton Thread | A neutral color like gray or cream usually works well. |
| Rotary Cutter & Mat | This is essential for making clean, accurate cuts. |
| Quilting Ruler | A long ruler will help you keep your cuts perfectly straight. |
| Binder Clips or Pins | To keep your fabric strips organized and in the right order. |
| Seam Ripper or Snips | You will need this for one of the final steps to reveal the pattern. |
Step 1: Create Your Fabric Strip Tubes
The foundation of our bargello table runner is two identical “strip tubes.” This part is just simple, straight sewing.
First, arrange your fabric strips in an order you like. A good tip is to mix your light, dark, and medium colors, and place your accent color somewhere in the middle. Once you’re happy with the order, use a binder clip to hold them all together. This keeps them from getting mixed up.
Take your first two strips and place them right sides together. Sew along one long edge with a quarter-inch seam. It’s a good idea to use a small stitch length here. This will keep your seams from coming apart in a later step when we cut the fabric.
Now, open the two strips up and finger press the seam to one side. You don’t need an iron for this part; just use your nail to press the seam flat. Grab your third strip and sew it to the second one. This time, finger press the seam in the opposite direction.
Continue adding all your strips this way, always alternating the direction you press the seam. One goes right, the next goes left, the next goes right, and so on. This simple trick helps your final quilt top lay nice and flat.
Once all your strips are sewn into one big panel, take the first strip and the last strip and sew them together, right sides facing. You’ve just made a strip tube! Set it aside and make a second tube exactly the same way.
Step 2: Cut Your Rings for the Wave Effect
Now it’s time for the magic. Lay one of your strip tubes flat on your cutting mat. Make sure it’s smooth and not twisted.
We are going to cut this tube into rings of different widths. This is what creates the movement in the bargello pattern. You can follow any sequence you like, but a great way to start is by cutting strips that get smaller, then bigger again.
For example, you could cut your rings in this order:
- 3 inches
- 2.5 inches
- 2 inches
- 1.5 inches
- 1 inch (this will be the center of your wave)
- 1.5 inches
- 2 inches
- 2.5 inches
- 3 inches
Use your ruler and rotary cutter to make precise cuts. Keep your newly cut rings in the exact order you cut them. This is very important!
Step 3: Reveal Your Beautiful Bargello Pattern
Lay your rings out in order on your table. Now, we’re going to use a seam ripper or small scissors to open one seam on each ring. But which seam do you open?
This is how you create the stair-step effect.
- Take your first ring. Find the seam you want to be at the top of your design and carefully snip the stitches to open it up. Lay it flat.
- Take your second ring. You want to open the seam that is one fabric strip down from the seam you opened on the first ring.
- Continue this for each ring, moving down one fabric strip each time. When you reach your center ring (the 1-inch piece), you will start moving back up one fabric strip at a time with the remaining rings.
As you open and lay out each strip, you will see the beautiful bargello wave start to appear right before your eyes!
Step 4: Assemble Your Table Runner Top
Once all your new strips are laid out in the correct order, it’s time to sew them back together. Pick up your first two strips and place them right sides together.
Line up the seams carefully. Because you alternated pressing your seams earlier, they should “nest” together nicely. This helps you get perfect points where the corners meet. Sew them together with a quarter-inch seam.
Continue adding one strip at a time, always keeping them in the correct order. Finger press the new seams to one side as you go.
Once all the strips are sewn together, you have a complete bargello block. Now you can take it to your ironing board and give it a good press with steam. Repeat this process to create three of these blocks.
To finish the top, you’ll sew a connecting strip of fabric (called a sashing) between each block. You can also add one to each end. This frames your beautiful bargello work.
Finishing Your Quilted Table Runner
With the top complete, the hard work is done! All that’s left is to turn it into a finished quilt. You’ll need to layer your bargello top with batting and a backing fabric. Then, quilt through all three layers to hold them together. A simple way to do this is to stitch “in the ditch,” which means sewing right along the existing seam lines.
Finally, you’ll add binding around the edges to give it a clean, finished look.
FAQs
How do you keep bargello strips aligned?
Accurate sewing is the key. Use a consistent quarter-inch seam. Press your seams in opposite directions. This helps the seams “nest” or lock together. It keeps your points perfectly matched. You can also use pins to stop fabric from moving.
How many colors should a bargello quilt have?
There is no set rule. Most bargello patterns use 8 to 20 colors. This range creates a smooth color flow. It is good to use light, medium, and dark fabrics. An accent color makes the design pop.
Is bargello quilting good for beginners?
Yes, bargello is great for beginners. It looks much harder than it is. The process uses only straight seams. There are no curves or complex shapes to cut. It is a very rewarding first project.
What is the best fabric for a bargello quilt?
Quilting cotton is the best choice. It is stable and easy to sew. Cotton does not stretch out of shape. It also holds a press very well. Jelly rolls are perfect because they use quilting cotton.
How to join fabric strips together?
Take two strips. Place them right sides together. Line up the long edges. Sew along the edge with a quarter-inch seam. Then open the strips and press the seam flat.
You did it! You now know how to make a bargello table runner. It looks incredibly fancy, but you know the simple secret behind its flowing beauty.
Now it’s your turn! Give this easy bargello pattern a try. If you have any questions or want to share a picture of your finished table runner, drop a comment below!