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.
Instructions
1. 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
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.
3. Lay the file card shapes down to recreate one of the quilt patterns online, or make your own repeating geometric pattern.
4. Sort all the shapes by color. Use different sizes, shapes and colors of file card pieces to create your own new patterns.
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.
