General Instructions for the Quilt Project

During the semester you should feel free to ask to consult with me in my office about any part of this project. In particular, I expect all groups to see me once before turning in their preliminary paper, once before preparing handouts for the class, and once during the design process for a minimum of 3 times. However, you can choose to come see me as often as you wish. I suggest you set up a time to meet me in my office either by phone, e-mail, or in person.

Step 1.

¨ Complete assignments as indicated on the next page.

Step 2.

¨ Write a preliminary paper about what you learned in the reading and work you have done.

¨ You should choose a clear focus for the paper (i.e., you don't have to write about everything you learned).

¨ The paper should be written to another person with a similar mathematical background as yours. This paper will be used in our class to help everyone understand the topic you have been studying.

¨ The paper needs to be typeset. Check with me if you need any special symbols or need to know how to typeset formulas with exponents or vertical fraction lines. That can all be done in Microsoft Word.

Step 3.

¨ During the semester you will present the topic you have studied to the rest of the class.

¨ Prepare 1 set of handouts (your paper and possibly worksheets) for the class. I will make the necessary number of copies for the class.

¨ The class will provide feedback on your work to help you make revisions to the paper.

Step 4.

¨ Design a 12-inch quilt block that illustrates the concept you have been given.

¨ Supply a carefully drawn scale drawing half the height and half the width of the actual quilt block. You can use the drawing part of Microsoft Word to do this so you can include the results in your final paper.

¨ Name your block.

¨ Supply a list of the pieces needed to make the block with size specifications. Typeset this list using a table in Microsoft Word.

• For rectangles, provide the length and width both with and without seam allowances.
• For right triangles, provide the length of the legs both with and without seam allowances.
• For other shapes, provide sufficient information so that the reader can reproduce the shape. Be creative. Emphasize the need to add a quarter-inch seam allowance.

Step 5.

¨ Make color selections for the pieces in your block.

¨ Cut out pieces for two blocks. How well the final block will turn out will depend on how precisely you measure the pieces and how well you cut them out. Be sure to cut along the grain lines.

¨ Sew one version of your quilt block. Again, whether the final block is the right size will depend on how precisely you sew the quarter-inch seams.

¨ Check that the sewn block against the template in my office for size.

Step 6.

¨ Revise your original paper.

¨ Add a section to your paper to describe the quilt block you designed and how it illustrates the concept. Include information about the history of your block (i.e., Did you change the design? How many times? Why? What problems did you encounter?)

¨ Turn in rough draft of the final paper.

Step 7.

¨ Make revisions to your rough draft.

¨ Turn in final paper.