How to Make Tessellations of Triangles

Use a stencil to help create straight lines for the triangle.

A true tessellation is a repeated pattern that does not overlap or contain any gaps. Artists use triangles due to the simplicity of three sides to learn a tessellation. When tessellating triangles, the sides must line up accordingly. Lining the triangle sides up is as simple as turning a triangle at its midpoint, then repeating the rotation to create a tessellation.

Instructions

1. Cut out a three inch wide triangular piece of paper or card stock. Label the triangle with a number "1" in the top tip of the triangle, a "2" in the lower right-hand corner and a "3" in the lower left-hand corner.

2. Place the triangle on the center of a piece of square paper. Trace the triangle with the "1" pointing to the left, the "2" should be pointing up and the "3" pointing down.

3. Rotate the triangle to the right around its midpoint and trace another triangle. The "3" should be on top, the "2" on the bottom and the "1" will be pointing to the right.

4. Turn the triangle again on its midpoint to the right. The "1" will be pointing to the left with "2" pointing up and "3" pointing down.

5. Repeat the process of rotating on the midpoint to the right and then tracing the triangle as needed. There should not be any overlapping lines or gaps.

References

• "Tessellations: The History and Making of Symmetrical Designs"; Pam Stephens; 2001
• Oracle ThinkQuest: Tessellations of Triangles