String Art

Math & Art Project

©onlyintheartroom
Lesson Objectives
• Learn how to create string art.
• Learn about the elements of art and apply them
to original artwork.
• Learn how to create a curve with only straight
lines.
• Learn about color theory, apply the knowledge
to artwork.
• Learn how to sew and create artwork with
sewing.
• Apply mathematical patterning to creating
artwork.
• Learn about Famous Artists who work with
string.

©onlyintheartroom
Connections between Art & Math

• Mary Everest Boole

• 1832-1916
• Mary Everest Boole was a pioneer of connecting
art and math for students.
• She was a self-taught mathematician who
authored many books during her career including
“Fun of Algebra”.
• She encouraged children to experiment with math
through curve stitching and activities.

©onlyintheartroom
Can a curve be created with straight lines?

? ©onlyintheartroom
How to create a curve with straight lines

Connect the matching numbers on the horizontal and vertical

lines with a ruler, making straight lines.
This will make a curve!

A horizontal line is one which runs left-to-right across the page.

A vertical line is a line that runs up and down the page

©onlyintheartroom
 Create this line pattern by sewing

• Thread the needle by putting the

thread through the eye of needle or
using a needle threader
• Line- An element of art defined by a
point moving in space. Line may be
two-or three-dimensional, descriptive,
implied, or abstract.
• Line- will be created with string

©onlyintheartroom
©onlyintheartroom
 Materials Needed

• Template
• Needle
• Tack
• Cardstock or thick paper
• Foam or cardboard

©onlyintheartroom
 Paper Set Up
• Center the design on the back of the cardstock.
• Use a glue stick to secure the template.
• Write your name on the paper template.
• This is will be the BACK of the design.
• Place a piece of foam or cardboard under the
papers glued together.
• Using the tack poke a hole on the dot next to
each number.

©onlyintheartroom
Sewing
• Thread the needle by using a needle
threader or putting the thread through
the eye of the needle.
• Pull the two sides of the strings until
they are equal lengths, and tie them
together near the end of the string.

©onlyintheartroom
 Begin sewing
• Insert the needle into the number one on the
horizontal line on the back side.
• Gently pull the string until the knot is against the
number one.
• On the front push the needle into the first hole on the
Start here vertical line and pull through on the back.
• On the front insert the needle into number two
directly below the one on the vertical line
• On the back insert the needle into the number two on
the horizontal line.
• Repeat the process flipping back and forth and
moving to the next number.
©onlyintheartroom
String Art Pattern
• Connecting the matching numbers
creates a curve.

©onlyintheartroom
How to use the
Circle Template
• Select a circle template based on the
pattern.
• Read the directions on the page.

©onlyintheartroom
 Select colors

• Select a paring of colors for the paper and thread

• Color is reflected by light, organized into a wheel with primary and
secondary colors.
• Complimentary color pairings are combinations of color on the
opposite sides of the color wheel
• Analogous color pairing combinations of colors adjacent to each other
on the color wheel

©onlyintheartroom
 Setting up the artwork
• Glue the template to thick paper.
Place cardboard or foam underneath
to protect fingers.
• Use a tack to poke holes in the
circles next to the dots.
The side with the color paper is the
FRONT.
The side with the template is the
BACK.
Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end.
©onlyintheartroom
 Begin sewing
• On the back insert the needle into hole
Skip four number one.
holes • On the front count the holes to skip from the
directions.
• This example is SKIP FOUR.
• Between the knot and the needle there will
be four empty holes.
• The needle is then inserted on the front
through hole 6.(four holes were skipped).

©onlyintheartroom
Front of the project
• On the front the first stitch will look like
this

• This artwork will be produced with line

• Line - An element of art defined by a point
moving in space. Line may be two-or three-
dimensional, descriptive, implied, or
abstract.

©onlyintheartroom
Sew the pattern
• On the back insert the needle from hole 6 into
hole 7
• Begin the pattern
• Every time the needle is on the front
Skip four holes
• Every time the needle is on the back move
up one hole

©onlyintheartroom
Pattern
• The pattern of skipping four holes will
look like this on the front.

• Pattern sequence:
• 1, 6, 7, 12, 13, 2, 3, 8, 9, 14, 15, 4, 5, 10,
11, 16, 1, 12, 11, 6,5,16, 15, 10, 9, 4, 3, 14,
13, 8, 7, 12, 13, 2

©onlyintheartroom
The back of the project
• When the pattern is finished the back will
look like this.
• To finish the artwork, tie a knot at the end
and secure with tape.

©onlyintheartroom
Circle Pattern Options
• Template # 4
• The pattern of skipping 1 hole on
the front will produce this pattern
• Pattern sequence
1,3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 2, 3,
5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 1, 16, 14, 13,
11, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 2

©onlyintheartroom
Circle Pattern Options
• Template # 5
• The pattern of skipping 2 holes on
the front will produce this pattern
• Pattern sequence
• 1,4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 15, 12, 11, 8,
7, 4, 3, 16, 1, 14, 10, 9, 6, 5, 2 3, 6,
10, 11, 14, 15, 2

©onlyintheartroom
Circle Pattern Options
• Template # 6
• The pattern of skipping 3 holes on
the front will produce this pattern
• Pattern sequence
• 1, 5, 6, 10, 11, 15, 16, 4, 5, 9, 10, 14,
3, 4, 8, 9, 13, 14, 2, 3, 7, 8, 13, 1, 2,
6, 7, 11, 12

©onlyintheartroom
Circle Pattern Options
• Template # 7
• The pattern of skipping 4 holes on
the front will produce this pattern
• 1, 6, 7, 12, 13, 2, 3, 8, 9, 14, 15, 4,
5,10, 11, 16, 1,12, 11, 6, 5, 16, 15,
10, 9, 4, 3, 14, 13, 8, 7, 12, 13, 2

©onlyintheartroom
Circle Pattern Options
• Template #8
• The pattern of skipping 5 holes on the front
will produce this pattern
• 1, 7, 8 14, 15, 5, 6, 16, 1, 11, 12, 6, 13, 14,
4, 5, 11, 12, 2, 9, 10, 16, 15, 9, 10, 4, 3, 9,
8, 2

©onlyintheartroom
 Circle Pattern Options
• Template #9
• The pattern of skipping six holes on the
front will produce this pattern
• 1,8,9, 16, 10, 11, 4, 3, 12, 13, 4, 5, 12, 13,
6, 5, 14, 6, 7, 16, 15, 8, 9, 2, 3, 10, 11, 2, 14

©onlyintheartroom
Pattern options
different shapes
• Create patterns on different shapes
• Layer colors
• Template #16

©onlyintheartroom
 Combining patterns
• This pattern was created layering several patterns
together
• Template 5-9

©onlyintheartroom
How to create an
Original pattern
• Use an existing template and create your
own pattern.

• On plain or graph paper draw a shape,

mark dots, number the dots and create a
unique pattern

• Record your pattern and exchange with a

classmate.

©onlyintheartroom
 Tips for success
• Always preplan color combinations.
• Read directions on the pattern before
beginning.
• Always keep the knots on the back.
• Use a small amount of tape to hold down
the knot.
• If you run out of thread, tie a knot in the
back and begin a new piece in the same
spot on the back.
• Pull the thread slowly to avoid knots.
• Pull the thread gently to avoid making
holes in the paper. ©onlyintheartroom
 Self Assessment
• Did I choose a pleasing color palette?
• Did I glue neatly?
• Did I center the design on the paper?
• Did I follow the number sequence correctly
or make a creative design?
• Are the strings neat, free of knots in the
front?
• Did I use the space wisely?
• Is the presentation of my artwork as neat as
possible?
©onlyintheartroom