No Math Drafting

Iris Lorenz-Fife

November 15 - 16, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Gualala Arts

At this workshop you will learn that there is more than one way to draft an odd-sized block, and I promise that by the end of the two days attendees will be comfortable, competent and confident with a new skill.

We will start with easy four-patch and nine-patch blocks with and without triangles. We may do a snail's trail or blocks with curves, depending on your interest. We will draft these blocks in odd sizes, using only whole numbers or without measuring at all.

On the second day we will expand into tessellations, circling flying geese, and free-form designing. Plus I will be sharing an easily mastered system of creating unique blocks that I'm told by a mathematician has the potential to create more than 3.3 million new combinations. Still with only simple arithmetic -- no math.

Bring your willingness to learn a new skill, be creative with it, and have fun.

ABSOLUTE SUPPLY LIST

Drawing pad -- 14" x 16" or larger. Student grade or recycled paper is fine, newsprint is NOT a good choice.

Omnigrid 12-1/2" square ruler -- This is an absolute must.
If you have a different kind of 12-1/2" ruler you may check it against the Omnigrid at the Loft -- Marva will show you the Omnigrid for comparison. It has sharp square corners, and the measurement marks run from corner to corner.

A clear plastic ruler that is 2" or 3" wide by 18" to 24" long.

Mechanical pencil with replacement leads and eraser. I use a Pentel with a 0.5 lead. I will try to have some (for sale) at the workshop. If you have a mechanical pencil that does not have an eraser you will need to find an eraser that erases cleanly. Please test it! Only people who don't take risks don't make mistakes.

OPTIONAL SUPPLY LIST

Blocks you want to translate into a different size, or that you don't know how to interpret. These might be photographs, illustrations, sketches, it doesn't matter. Any block that is a challenge.

Colored pencils, pastels or paints for coloring in. I will have oil pastels and baby wipes, but for some people they are too messy.

A compass or other circle drawing tool.

Paper scissors

A multiplier cube -- this is an optical device that visually multiplies a block into a great many blocks. If you have one, please bring it.

Hinged mirrors -- if you have a pair of mirrors (each between 6" and 8") that have been (or can be) taped together, to be used to multiply the effect of a block, please bring them. It would be good to have two or three for the entire class.