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Title: To Quilt is to Math: Investigating the Breadth and Depth of Mathematics in Fiber Crafts
This study investigates connections between fabric crafts and the breadth and depth of mathematics involved in pursuing the crafts with a particular focus on quilting. The authors became participant observers in crafting circles, conducted 65 semi-structured interviews to investigate crafters’ mathematical insights in their projects, and analyzed artifacts through close manual examination and photographs to deepen these insights. We ask the questions: (1) How do crafters observe the interplay between mathematics and the process of a craft? (2) How can crafters’ products illuminate the breadth and depth of mathematics? The findings suggest that the different ways in which mathematics and craft intersect either bear the form of a craftforward approach, as crafters produce patterns and explore it through changes in the patterns or in the form of a math-forward approach, in which crafting directly draws on mathematical concepts guiding the work toward the improved performance or modeling of math concepts.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1647150
PAR ID:
10431785
Author(s) / Creator(s):
Date Published:
Journal Name:
International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS)
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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