Quilt lab: the creative side of science : 12 clever projects

Winston, a math teacher, science enthusiast, and quilter, combines her passions in this collection of projects inspired by math and science. Each chapter focuses on a specific shape, including rectangles, triangles, and circles, and concentrates on using those shapes in projects inspired by scientific theories or ideas. Sometimes the inspiration is literal, as in the molecular quilt, which features a representation of a caffeine molecule; others are more figurative, such as the echo quilt, which uses half circles of varying sizes to represent sound waves. The highlight of the book is its intelligent, thorough, and accessible overview of "quilt math"-the geometry behind quilt design, piecing, and fabric cutting. Winston's directions are technical enough to please the mathematically inclined, yet simple enough to teach those of us who haven't thought about algebra since high school. VERDICT You don't have to be a nerd to enjoy Winston's bold, modern designs, but quilters with a scientific background will love the inspiration behind the finished objects. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Winston, a math teacher, science enthusiast, and quilter, combines her passions in this collection of projects inspired by math and science. Each chapter focuses on a specific shape, including rectangles, triangles, and circles, and concentrates on using those shapes in projects inspired by scientific theories or ideas. Sometimes the inspiration is literal, as in the molecular quilt, which features a representation of a caffeine molecule; others are more figurative, such as the echo quilt, which uses half circles of varying sizes to represent sound waves. The highlight of the book is its intelligent, thorough, and accessible overview of "quilt math"—the geometry behind quilt design, piecing, and fabric cutting. Winston's directions are technical enough to please the mathematically inclined, yet simple enough to teach those of us who haven't thought about algebra since high school. VERDICT You don't have to be a nerd to enjoy Winston's bold, modern designs, but quilters with a scientific background will love the inspiration behind the finished objects.