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| T is for tangram... |
Since that greeting doesn't negate the fact that life for most of us is the same as it was last week, today's post features a quick project that will help
you through our continuing challenging times.
It's a no sewing required fabric tangram puzzle.
If you look up the definition of a tangram, you'll discover that it officially
refers to a set of seven geometric shapes that are used to form different
configurations; i.e., a puzzle.
This one is a four piece variant of the idea. The inspiration comes from an
actual plastic puzzle that I've had since my school days.
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| My childhood tangram puzzle... |
I don't remember who gave it to me, but over the years, it's provided hours of
relaxation as well as vexation. While I'm able to solve all of the forty variations
shown above, at any given time, I may not recall how to do so in a timely
fashion.
With some scraps of fabric, a medium fusible interfacing like
Decor Bond and some fabric glue, you can put together your own tangram
puzzle to keep you occupied during any further pandemic lockdowns. I've put
together two sets of templates for the project — one big, one small — which
you can download here.
The easiest way to do this — if you have a large enough piece of fabric and interfacing (a 10.5" long by 4" wide piece will give you room to maneuver for the smaller set of templates) — is to fuse the interfacing on first, then fold it in half lengthwise.
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| Single piece method of cutting... |
Lay the templates out into a straight line configuration (puzzle #15) on top
of the folded fabric and you can simultaneously cut out two of each piece. (Because this will be thick, avoid the fold line for best results; i.e., do not try to cut against the fold and then slice in half afterwards.) After cutting, jump down to instruction #4 below to finish.
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| You need two sides of each template... |
Otherwise, if you are working with smaller scraps (or if you want the
pieces to be made out of different fabrics), I suggest the following approach.
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| Cut pieces on the fold... |
1. Fold your scrap of fabric and interfacing in half and place a
horizontal edge of the template along the fold line. (Yes, in this case, you can cut along the fold!) Then cut around the
template with a rotary cutter. (If you don't have a rotary cutter, you can
trace around it and then cut with scissors.)
NOTE: The templates are not symmetrical! Be sure to confirm
that the interfacing is correctly folded compared to the fabric. In the above
picture, since my fabric is folded with wrong side out, the interfacing
is folded with fusible side in.
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| Fuse the interfacing and then cut in half... |
2. Fuse the interfacing to the fabric. Repeat the process with
remaining templates.
3. Draw a line down the middle of each piece and cut into two.
4. Finish by using fabric glue to adhere each set of pieces back
to back.
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| Prepare remaining template pieces... |
As a check for accuracy, you can tell from the straight line configuration
that all pieces have the same width. Carefully trim off whatever is needed to make it so.
Run an iron over the pieces one more time to set the glue.
Now that you have your pieces, you can start on the various puzzles. If you search for "wikipedia t puzzle", you'll find a graphic showing one hundred and sixty configurations to solve.
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| Just 40 of the possible ways to solve this tangram puzzle... |
To keep it simple, here is my original set of forty puzzles. And here is puzzle #1 solved.
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| Puzzle #1 solved... |
If you've never done these before, the trick — if one can indeed call it that
— is to envision the final form from a diagonal point of view rather than strictly
horizontal/vertical.
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| Puzzle #2 solved... |
Puzzle #2 is actually one of the easier ones. Also, if you look closely at the
two identical components of this configuration, you'll quickly find the
solution to a couple of others.
As I hinted at earlier, the great thing about this kind of puzzle is that after you figure out the various solutions, you'll likely forget most of them over time. That means you won't soon grow tired of it.
This one here (#7) gave me fits.
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| Puzzle #7 solved... |
Recommended for puzzle lovers of virtually any age, this little four piece set
is easy to make for an all-occasion gift. (For a storage solution, perhaps check out this fabric envelope.)
If your household is looking for new ways to survive yet another lockdown, consider making a set for every family member and have a competition amongst yourselves. (If you get truly stumped and need the solutions, you can find them online.)
'Til next...
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