How to Make a Bargello Wall Hanging

First, measure and cut your canvas to size, leaving at least a 1.5cm seam allowance to allow for fraying and/or damage. This example project measures approximately 19 x 27cm including a 2cm seam allowance

Before we start stitching, we're going to 'prep' the canvas. To do this, take some low-tack masking tape and neatly place it along the seam allowance, creating a border for you to stitch up to

If your tape is wider than the seam allowance, fold it under and stick it to the other side of so your canvas is sandwiched in between the tape

To begin your project, follow the instructions in our 'Getting started guide' and follow the pattern template that you download below.

Now we're going to construct the wall hanging, fold the taped edges over, scoring gently with your fingers to keep it in place.

Fold it as close to the stitches as you can so you have a nice, crisp edge

Open out the folded edges and place double-side tape on the sides and top edge – you don't need to do this on the bottom half as we'll be adding fringe here

Peel off the tape and fold the edges back down starting with the sides first and then the top edge

Press in place to ensure the tape is secure –

don't worry if it isn't completely flat as we'll be covering this part over in future steps

Next we're going to add the fringe to our hanging, for this piece, we've cut each length to 30cm but you can make this longer or shorter depending on the style you want to achieve

Place two threads parallel to one another and thread your needle with them both at the same time

Starting at the front of the canvas, push the needle through to the back side about half way through

Once you're half-way through the canvas, come back up in the square to the right so the thread is evenly distributed on both sides of two squares

Once you've filled the canvas with fringe, place a ruler lengthways and trim all the fringe to your desired length with a sharp pair of scissors

To add the dowel, thread a needle with a length of wool and tie a knot on the end. Starting on the far left of the canvas, come up through the square at the very edge of the canvas (go through the layer of tape if you need to)

Take your dowel and begin to secure it to the piece, looping your thread around the wooden dowel and then coming back through the canvas below, repeat this at 1cm intervals so they are securely attached

When you get to the end of the canvas, tie a knot with the wool and thread the needle loosely under the stitches – anywhere is fine, we're about to cover them over

Take your double-sided tape and place a strip along all four sides, peel the backing off

Cut a piece of felt to the same size as the canvas and place it on top of the tape. Press firmly to secure.

Last, take a length of macrame cord and knot it around both ends of the wooden dowel, secure in a tight knot. Your project is now ready to proudly hang!