GBH Openvault

Erica; Bargello

Part of From the Vault. Part of Erica Wilson: The Julia Child of Needlework.

11/02/1971

Bargello is a type of embroidery done in wool on canvas. It is usually highly colorful, always geometric, and can have a kaleidoscopic effect. Erica informs the viewer that Bargello is believed to have developed in Florence in the 16th century. She comes on the set wearing manacles because it was originally thought to have been done by condemned inmates in the prison in Florence. She shows a couple of examples of bargello—a chair with a bargello seat made in Connecticut in 1740 and a pair of red and purple flamed-stitch boots that Erica made (and wears). Her demonstration project for this episode is a green jack-in-the-pulpit design in bargello. She notes that while bargello is often done on #10 canvas (canvas with ten threads to the inch), she is using rug canvas. If using rug canvas, one has to make sure to use a very thick wool thread. She also encourages viewers to put their originality into their bargello projects. Finally, ever enthusiastic about needlework, Erica notes of bargello, “It’s like eating peanuts. You can’t stop once you begin.” Summary and select metadata for this record was submitted by Amanda Sikarskie.

Series

Erica

Program

Bargello

Program Number

104

Series Description

Needlework series with Erica Wilson. “Erica Wilson, noted American authority on needlework, invites the viewer to explore the exciting possibilities of indulging his creative and artistic talents. In this series of color videotaped 15 minute programs she illustrates the wide vocabulary of stitches used in many types of embroidery including traditional crewel, needlepoint, bargello, and crewel point.

As well as demonstrating these stitches, Erica gives professional hints on creating useful and decorative objects. She encourages personalizing an original or derived design through the selection of motif, materials, stitch, color, texture, and size. C. 1971-2 Series release date: 1971

Program Description

Bargello is a type of embroidery done in wool on canvas. It is usually highly colorful, always geometric, and can have a kaleidoscopic effect. Erica informs the viewer that Bargello is believed to have developed in Florence in the 16th century. She comes on the set wearing manacles because it was originally thought to have been done by condemned inmates in the prison in Florence.

She shows a couple of examples of bargello—a chair with a bargello seat made in Connecticut in 1740 and a pair of red and purple flamed-stitch boots that Erica made (and wears).

Her demonstration project for this episode is a green jack-in-the-pulpit design in bargello. She notes that while bargello is often done on #10 canvas (canvas with ten threads to the inch), she is using rug canvas. If using rug canvas, one has to make sure to use a very thick wool thread. She also encourages viewers to put their originality into their bargello projects. Finally, ever enthusiastic about needlework, Erica notes of bargello, “It’s like eating peanuts. You can’t stop once you begin.”

Asset Type

Broadcast program

Media Type

Video

Subjects

Florence (Italy)

Needlework – Instruction

Italy – Decorative Arts

Bargello

Wilson, Erica

Flowers – Decorative Art

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Embroidery

Genres

Instructional

Topics

Crafts

Creators

MacLeod, Margaret I. (Series Producer)

Contributors

Wilson, Erica (Host)

Mahard, Frances (Other (see note))

MacLeod, Margaret I. (Producer)

Field, James (Director)

Publication Information

Copyright © 1971 Erica Wilson and WGBH Educational Foundation

Citation

Chicago: “Erica; Bargello,” 11/02/1971, GBH Archives, accessed November 20, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_4B46D6A768A44A3A90B5B07E54C758AB.

MLA: “Erica; Bargello.” 11/02/1971. GBH Archives. Web. November 20, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_4B46D6A768A44A3A90B5B07E54C758AB>.

APA: Erica; Bargello. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_4B46D6A768A44A3A90B5B07E54C758AB