Geometric Sewing (Aglet)

Every year after taking our Math STAAR test, I like to give my kids a little mathematical art therapy!  I begin with the Kaleidoscopic Octagon, which emphasizes rotational and reflectional symmetry.  Then, I move into geometric sewing.  Basically, this is line design with string.  

Line designs are geometric patterns formed 

entirely by the use of straight line segments that 

produce the illusion of a curve. 

We began by preparing our sewing surface.  I gave each student an 8"x 8" piece of tagboard.  I also gave them each a pattern from a book that is no longer in print titled "String Art...10 Basic Designs."  In fact, it is from so long ago the patterns were originally to be run on a ditto machine!  The patterns may be old, but the excitement is always new!

Once we have cut out the pattern and taped it onto our tagboard, I gave each student a stick pin and we headed to the library.  This may be my students' favorite part... we put the tagboard down onto the carpet and use the stick pin to poke a hole into every dot on the pattern.  I have learned, after YEARS of practice, that pre-poking the holes leads to fewer injuries with needles!

Next, it was time to teach my students how to thread a needle.  There is one rule I have during this entire project... I DO NOT THREAD NEEDLES!

It takes a while to learn how to thread a needle, but I have a very cool way of teaching my students how to thread a needle that involves using tape to make an aglet.  I learned about aglets while watching Phineas and Ferb.   They have an A-G-L-E-T Song!  

Once we had our needle on our thread, the time was up!  AARGH!  We sew tomorrow!