Mathematician Re-engineers Quilting
Every project requires motivation, whether musically inclined or not. How about the idea of learning a new skill? Learning how to create the quilt of your dreams can be difficult without proper guidance, and it is often done by following step-by-step instructions. In fact, many people have successfully followed quilting courses online, which provides personalized instruction in terms of specific techniques and pattern designs. While this may seem like a daunting task at first, there are plenty of resources on the internet to help you out.
As any mathematician knows, a theorem is a logical argument that proves a statement to be true or false. A theorem may be quoted or discovered by the use of logic. For example, the Pythagorean theorem demonstrates the relationship between the sides of a right triangle; it was discovered as an observation by Pythagoras and can be proven through mathematical reasoning. Similar ideas can be applied to quilting.
Mathematicians acquire knowledge through intuitive understanding and rigorous proof, but they don't use quilting as a tool for proving their ideas. Instead, they manipulate many shapes held together by thread in order to create intricate patterns with geometric shapes cut out of fabric (Figure 1). Using mathematics to create a pattern is sort of like solving a puzzle with pieces that are already put together.
Figure 1: Basic design elements used when making quilts.
But how can mathematics be used to make quilts? Any sewing template can be broken down into a geometrical shape, so it's really just a matter of what kind of shapes you want to incorporate into your patterns. Let's take an example and see how it works. Suppose you want to make a star template (Figure 2). You will be using strings that are attached to the top and bottom point of the star with the middle points serving as anchors. The strings are attached to the warp (long threads) and the weft (short threads) of the fabric. The design holds each section together securely, but allows for free motion when sewing.
Figure 2: Star templates
This is a simple design that doesn't really give you much in terms of adding new shapes. But let's continue on…
Most quilt designs use plain triangles, squares and rectangles as elements; mathematically speaking, there are infinitely many ways to combine these shapes, so why not share your knowledge with others? This can be done through YouTube videos or through discussion forums on the web where people share and discuss their patterns.
There are several advantages to sharing your patterns. You can have other learners follow the pattern and make their own quilt just like you did. And as with any other skill, it is much easier to learn when there is a teacher or mentor available to show you the way. There are also many benefits in terms of learning new techniques and experimenting with different techniques.
For example, in Figure 3, I added four more shapes: rectangles and circles. This makes the pattern more complicated by increasing the depth of my triangles, but it also gives me more options for how to arrange them (Figure 4).
Figure 3: Adding more shapes to the pattern
Figure 4: The completed pattern
In this case, I was able to adjust the size and position of the new shapes. This is a common problem in mathematics; if you're working on a theorem and you don't like one of the possible solutions, why not try another one? In quilting, there are many options. So now you can see why mathematics is so useful (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Completion of template with all possible combinations now used in one quilt.
When using mathematics in your designs, it's also important to know how to correctly use it. Imagine that as you were sewing another geometric shape into your pattern. You may think that by using more pieces, you'll have enough to hold the shape together. But this is not always the case. Instead, what you need is the right amount of pieces so you won't be putting any unnecessary stress on your stitching.
All of these techniques are relatively new and provide a whole new experience for those mathematically inclined quilters who want to improve themselves. The use of shapes can add texture and interest to your quilt without the hassle or cost of buying new fabric. And when it's finished, you can proudly display your art just like an artist would (Figure 6).
Figure 6: Finished quilt using mathematics in its design
Many mathematicians have a love of quilting as well, so if you're currently learning the art of making beautiful quilts, be sure to share your ideas with other mathematically inclined friends. You could become part of an emerging community that advocates for the use and teaching of math in the arts. But first, make sure you have your proof!
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Mathematics has been an important part on my journey through life. I've been doing a lot more thinking about dimensions and geometry since I took this course and it's exciting to see that it can be applied so easily in the real world.
However, I feel there are a lot of things to improve on, but that's what the course is for.
I'll be working on the course again, with my original mistakes and the new knowledge I've gained.
Thank you for your time and patience!
As always, if you want more information or want to help out in any way (e.g. editing and proofreading), just let me know. I really appreciate it :) Don't forget to check out my website: http://www.artandmaths.com/ Hope to see you at one of my classes! Thank you for reading :) Take care :)
Mathematics has been an important part on my journey through life. I've been doing a lot more thinking about dimensions and geometry since I took this course and it's exciting to see that it can be applied so easily in the real world.
However, I feel there are a lot of things to improve on, but that's what the course is for.
I'll be working on the course again, with my original mistakes and the new knowledge I've gained.
Thank you for your time and patience!
As always, if you want more information or want to help out in any way (e.g. editing and proofreading), just let me know. I really appreciate it :) Don't forget to check out my website: http://www.artandmaths.com/
Hope to see you at one of my classes! Thank you for reading :) Take care :)
If you want to know more about the subject and don't have time for those 10+ hours long courses, there are a couple books that are particularly good:
Are these books just for pure mathematicians? No, you can take an approach that combines math with your own creative mind.
Our mathematics courses would love to help out if we can. However, many courses have a limited number of spots and some courses need several months before they're ready. These all things impact the availability, so it's a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
Conclusion: I'm not sure how helpful that will be but there you go. The best thing to do is to look at the available courses and then contact the professors directly if you want to know more.
One thing that I can tell you is that the online courses are definitely in an early stage of development so they won't be as good as a traditional course.
If you have any more questions or if you want to help out, just let me know.
Thank you for reading :) Take care :)
I'll be going over it again later this month and with each iteration, it's going to get better and better.