Date:  January 4, 2021  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |  

Since the 17th century, flame stitch fabrics have held court in some of the world’s most regal homes, palaces, and government buildings. While the pattern’s exact origin is uncertain, many of the earliest examples are associated with Italy. Taking its name from the rising flame-like motif repeated throughout the design, bold colors and gradients of hues are almost always present. Flame stitch may also be referred to as Bargello stitch, a variation featuring rounded edges on the repeated pattern. This name originates from the Bargello Museum in Florence, Italy, where chairs from the 1600s covered in this type of fabric can be found. Much like the pattern itself, interest in the design seems to come in waves. In more recent history, Italian fashion house Missoni popularized an angular version of flame stitch on everything from swimsuits to rugs, garnering a resurgence in its presence that continues to intrigue and inspire.

All fabrics available for order through Designer Effects, Little Rock, designereffects.net.