2 April 2008

A dilemma

I have a dilemma. I cannot work out what sort of triangle I need or want to go with the diamond and squares I already have! This might sound very silly but it's important to me at the moment!!

I think I need two - an equilateral and an isoceles one. The isoceles will work on other layouts but the equilateral will work on the one below!!!

Can anybody in tatland, or anywhere else for that matter, please advise?

8 comments:

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

Oh, dear! Now you're speaking math! Wish I could help, but I depend on you designers for my daily tatting fix!

Tattycat said...

Like Diane, I wish I could help but you are speaking a foreign language. Unfortunately, when they were teaching geometry I was somewhere else - anywhere else! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure I could help (maths being a forte of mine), if only I knew what it was that you are trying to achieve.

Are you trying to figure out what sort of triangle you need to fit in a certain area? Or what sort of triangle just looks nice?

If it's just for aesthetic reasons, then I would go with an equilateral (all sides being equal) triangle. The reason being, the existing angles you have in your patchwork shape are all either 60 degrees or 90 degrees, and if you use an equilateral triangle, then it'll have 60 degree angles and will better reflect the existing angles inside your design.

If I've got the wrong end of the stick and that's not what you're trying to do at all, please say so!

Carol Schockling Lawecki said...

Hi Jane, I can't help with the math either, but I can tell you I love the shape of the piece as you have it. I think it would be a beautiful piece, as you say, like a stained glass window. Perfect!

Jane Eborall said...

Oh, Sharon, that's SO kind of you. The problem really is that I'm not sure myself what I'm trying to achieve!!!
Thanks for your input - it's been VERY helpful. I think tat's what I'll do - go with the equilateral triangle. Half a square. Shouldn't be too hard to design - or will it?!?!?!?
Jane

Anonymous said...

Oh good, glad it was useful.

An equilateral triangle will be exactly half your diamond. That's the exact size of it. So try putting a mirror halfway across your diamond and see what you've got?


Btw I had an idea about the "stained glass" kind of approach too, although mine is a little different from yours. But I haven't got round to putting the ideas into practice yet!

Jane Eborall said...

Ah, told you I was thick when it comes to maths!! I assumed it was half a square but you've very tactfully shown me it's half a diamond!!! I'll use that as my base - thanks a MILLION.
When you do get to doing yours I'd love to see it.
Jane

Anonymous said...

I think you're right, the equilateral one is the one to try first. It might be tricky getting the design right but at least with 60-degree angles you have a little more room to work with, compared to a triangle with 45-degree angles.

Half a square will give a different kind of triangle, with one 90-degree angle and two 45-degree angles, like what you've got in your diagram. But the longer side of the triangle is then probably longer than what you want, as it'll be longer (~40% longer) than all the other edges in your diagram. So you probably couldn't just use half a square, you'd have to design something slightly smaller.

Ugh, this is all awkward to explain just using text!! Anyway I'm just trying to say that I think you're right!

Yes I'll let you know when I've got around to the stained glass tatting!

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