Post-It Tessellations

During peak pandemic I was trying to do art projects that kids could do with things they were likely to have around the house.

Tessellations are shapes that fit together or interlock without overlapping or leaving openings. Probably the most famous examples are tiling or the art of M.C. Escher.

We're going to do simple tessellations based on a square.

When I did this in school ages ago, making sure your square was square and keeping your piece in place while tracing seemed like the toughest bits. So while less sturdy and versatile than carboard, post-its are already square and sticky!

Supplies

square Post-it notes

clear tape

scissors

a pencil

things to color with-markers or pencils or paint

a black marker

Step 1: Doodle

Put your post-it in front of you with the sticky bit at the top, just as if you were leaving a note for someone.

Doodle two lines along adjacent sides of the note. I did curves, angles are perfectly fine too. They just can't overlap or go past the corners.

Step 2: Cut, and Tape

Carefully cut out one of the lines. Now tape the shape you cut out to the straight edge across from it.

Step 3: More Cutting. and More Taping.

Do the same for the other line, carefully cut along it and tape it to the remaining straight edge.

Step 4: Trace

Put your shape down on a piece of paper, rub it gently so that it sticks, and trace it.

After you've traced it once, line you your shape with the edge of your tracing and keep at it!

You can fill up the page, or just do enough to make sure that the center shape is surrounded, like a block of 9.

Step 5: Add Color!

Add color! You can be as simple or fancy as you'd like.

Mine was voted to look like a fish, so I ran with it. But also ran out of time, so only did one fancy one.

If you want to emphasize the shapes, you can outline them with a dark marker after you're done coloring.

(Remember, there are a lot of post-its in a pack, if you don't like your first couple shapes keep trying...)