How to Make a Tessellation by Cutting an Index Card
A tessellation is a pattern of repeating shapes which share an edge
and do not overlap. Tessellation is also known as tiling. Many quilt
patterns are tessellations, including Honey Comb, with its hexagon
shapes, Log Cabin's rectangles, and the vibrant spikes of Crown of
Thorns. Practice cutting the shapes needed for various quilt patterns
by cutting them from an index card.
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Things You'll Need
- Pack of index cards (3-inch by 5-inch or 4-inch by 6-inch)
- Scissors
- Ruler or other straight edge
- Colored pencils of markers
- Quilt pattern images from the Quilt Pattern Names page
Instructions
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Choose one of the repeating quilt patterns, such as Log Cabin, Hole in the Barn door and Crown of Thorns. Scribe the shapes needed for each pattern on a pack of file cards
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2
Choose a color for each shape. Use colored pencils or markers to tint all the shapes before cutting into the file cards. Carefully cut along the outlines of each shape to separate them from one another.
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3
Lay the file card shapes down to recreate one of the quilt patterns online, or make your own repeating geometric pattern.
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4
Sort all the shapes by color. Use different sizes, shapes and colors of file card pieces to create your own new patterns.
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5
Use clear cellophane tape to keep your pattern intact. Seal the file card tessellation in sheets of clear contact paper. Make a frame from shirt cardboard or heavy posterboard. Hang your file card tessellation in your living room or family room.
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Tips & Warnings
Once you have a pattern you like, lay all the index card pieces out onto heavy cotton fabric in your choice of colors.
Resources
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Comments
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Jane Smith
May 06, 2009
I thought that, too, until I looked it up to be sure I had it right. What you are referring to is a tangram, not a tessellation. Tangrams can be used to make a pattern from shapes, but it does not become a tessellation until it is a repeating pattern. -
amberdawn
May 02, 2009
Interesting article about creating tiles out of index cards. Its also possible to create a tessellation from a single index card as your title hints at. Theres a trick to it in order to get the shapes to interlock, but its worth it because you can make your own unique designs! I wrote a related article that illustrates how called how to create a tessellation, several months prior to this articles publication. I hope this helps!
