No-sew mathematical quilts: Needling students to explore higher mathematics


David Meel, Deborah Gyurko Youse




This paper illustrates with pictures and words how no-sew mathematical quilts provide opportunities to draw teachers into discussions of deep-level mathematics while engaged in an accessible artform that can brighten their classroom décor. Beyond explaining the construction of no-sew mathematical quilts and where one can get ideas for mathematical quilt patterns, we present the case of a practicing teacher and the insights she drew from developing her quilt. In doing so, we illustrate that by being open to explore mathematics in new and visual ways, no-sew mathematical quilts can enliven the mathematics classroom while providing opportunities for in-service teachers to engage with mathematics in new ways.