8.26.2008

Son of a Stitch

Did you know they begin teaching geometry in kindergarten? I'm all for it too. Of all the math classes I took, geometry is the math I use most often. The Pythagorean Theorem has bailed me out of more than one project.

So you can imagine my delight when Aidan came home the other day chanting the five syllable word, parallelogram.

Parallelogram.
Parallelogram.
Parallelogram.

I wanted to reinforce his understanding of this new, very cool shape. So I embroidered a parallelogram on his new, plain T-shirt.

parallelogram t-shirt

I used tangrams, one square and two triangles, to trace the parallelogram onto the tee.

parallelogram t-shirt

Then I used Scotch tape to transfer the word "parallelogram" onto the tee. I used Word to print out the word in the desired size and font, put the printed word under a piece of clear plexiglass, a piece of tape on top of the plexiglass directly over the word, and traced the word with a Sharpie. I put the Scotch tape onto the tee and embroidered directly onto the tape. The tape peeled away easily when I finished the embroidery.

parallelogram t-shirt

I was so excited about Aidan's t-shirt that I offered to make him a whole series of geometric tees. I was imagining a bright yellow trapezoid on a black tee, a lime green hexagon on navy blue, maybe even an orange rhombus on a blue tee; but Aidan said he prefers his t-shirts plain. He wore his parallelogram shirt today, but expressed concern that kids would make fun of him.

If anybody makes fun of his t-shirt, they are nothing but a square. Or worse yet, obtuse. And yes, I am a nerd.

23 comments:

  1. I adore that tshirt Molly and I think it's a fabulous idea. I want one that says obtuse.

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  2. the rhombus was always my favorite shape. i'm sure it was because it is such a funny word. love the tee - and the embroidery/tape tip. woo hoo!

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  3. i LOVE that shirt, it turned out excellent. and why oh why do kids have to worry about other kids making fun of them so soon!

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  4. i think it's brilliant and it looks great! i love sarah's idea for one that says obtuse (especially for us grown-ups).

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  5. Please let us know what the outcome of Aidan's wearing the shirt is.....word processing is waiting anxiously.

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  6. What a fabulous idea! I'm making myself a square peg - round hole t-shirt as soon as possible, based on this idea. That is, if you don't mind my admiring (stealing) the idea. Your color choices are wonderful!

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  7. Oh, my! Sooo cute, Molly :) I can see your vision of more. I'm thinking of what plain t's we have and what I could put on them. It would be a cute way to personalize some baby onesies (as a gift, of course.)

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  8. That is brilliant! LOVE it!

    I'm doing a craftswap give-away. Come on over!

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  9. I love the tape idea! Did you come up with that or did you find it somewhere?

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  10. thanks everyone!

    tara - i came up with the scotch tape idea. i'm sure someone else has thought of it already, but i felt pretty smart being able to use what i had to accomplish my mission. i'll definitely be using this trick again.

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  11. I love how you made this for him.

    And I too think how sad it is that our kids have to worry about what other kids will say or do.

    Love the tape trick!

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  12. Great idea Molly! Came out perfect!

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  13. This is a fantastic idea, I love it and I love that your boy is enthusiastic about maths!

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  14. what a wonderful idea. think you're on to something!

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  15. 3 4 5
    Once again Dad must applaud!
    You are a problem solver supreme!
    I agree with Aidan about plain t's, but hope he doesn't worry too much about the other kids. This is a part of growing up that is hard for kids, but just as hard for parent and g-parents. Your love will help him cope.
    Love
    Dad

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  16. That's adorable. It's too bad kids have to worry about being made fun of by other kids.

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  17. O.my.goodness. You are so funny. I love that t-shirt. Really it is super cute. Great idea, that I am so going to copy.

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  18. SO FUNNY! I love it. I think it looks great and I think I need one that says obtuse... at least some days...

    : )

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  19. That's great! I love the tape idea! I'm sure your son's teacher loved the shirt as well. Shows how much he's bringing home!

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  20. That tape idea is super. Very clever, girly. This turned out so cute.

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  21. fabulous ideas!!! you've been busy!!! we decided to go public school too! i just might make some of these!! :0)

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  22. the tape idea is BRILLIANT. I am terrible at embroidering words but now... now I have a trick...watch out world.

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