Creating Contemporary Bargello: A Designers Guide

“Creating Contemporary Bargello.”, a book created and written by Iona Dettelbach, is a teaching guide for one wishing to design their own Bargello canvases. Each creation begins with the “design line” that is the basis of all Bargello patterns. Iona has drawn charts that actually “walk” the needle worker through the steps that lead to a successful pattern. Twenty-three projects are also included as learning experiences for readers to stitch. In addition, she discusses the multitude of new fibers on the market today and their best uses. She also provides source information for the materials discussed and used in the book.Bargello is a form of needlework that uses a vertical straight stitch. The pattern changes by both the length of the stitch and the number of repetitions of stitches forming the pattern. The book contains 112 pages of valuable information and 8 pages of color that illustrates all the projects within the book. Along with her daughter Susan, who stitched many of the projects illustrated, they also give a peek into the possible future of Bargello and Needlework--which perhaps is the beginning of a new venture to which they refer to as “Beyond Bargello.”

Iona L. Dettelbach was a needlepoint shop owner for almost twenty years. She has been stitching and designing needlepoint and painting custom canvases for most of her adult life. She is the author of the "How to Teach" series of needlepoint classes that are offered by teachers' in shops across the country as well as the co-author of "Needlepoint From Start To Finish.". Her designs are in houses of worship and in private collections in the United States and Europe. She presents classes at The National Needlework Associations's conventions' and at shops throughout the country. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother. Her daughter, Susan Seabright is an accomplished needleworker and a featured designer and stitcher in the book. One of Iona's passions is teaching. Showing people how to create their own needle treasures was always a feature in her shop. After retiring from retail, Iona continues to design needlepoint projects and remains active in the field of teaching and writing. This book is the fulfillment of a long time dream to bring the beautiful art of Bargello to all needle workers throught the world.