Sewing machines whirred and scissors snipped as students stitched fabric pieces into colorful quilts. This wasn’t home economics. It was an introduction to algebra class co-taught by Miriam Thorpe and Travis Selfridge at Pacific Grove High School in Pacific Grove, Calif.
“There’s so much math used in quilting,” said Thorpe, who said she used to teach fractions using paper quilts. “I thought, ‘Why don’t we take it one step further?’
“Kids are always saying, ‘Why do we have to learn math?’ and this is showing them this is one of the things you can do with math.”
Students start with a piece of graph paper and make a scale drawing of their quilt design. They pick out fabric in at least two colors to calculate the proportional area of each fabric type. They learn how to add a seam allowance to the dimensions of their 3-by-4-foot quilts when cutting the fabric.
Thorpe and Selfridge grade students on their drawings, their ability to follow directions and on assigned math problems related to the project.
Most of the work takes place during class, although Thorpe will often come in on weekends to give students extra work time. Students can earn community service hours for their work on weekends — the finished quilts are donated to local children in need.
Thorpe said she is impressed by her students’ enthusiasm for the project, especially the boys.
“A sewing machine is so much like a car,” she said. “It’s got an engine, you’ve got to follow your line. I tell them, ‘Stay in your lane.'”
Student David Wiltschko, 16, said the careful cutting and sewing were a challenge.
“If you do one thing wrong, it looks off-center and then you have to do it all over again, because it has to be perfect for the kids (who) receive them,” he said. “But it’s fun. I’m glad we have it at this school.”
Learn how to quilt
Go to quilting.about.com to learn all about quilting.
