Irena Swanson

Some of Irena Swanson's mathematics-related quilts



This is commemorating the special program in Commutative Algebra at MSRI, 2002/03. Depicted are David Eisenbud (upper right), Lucho Avramov, Bernd Sturmfels, Karen Smith, Craig Huneke. Apparently this quilt is now lost. Sigh. If you see it, please return to MSRI or to me.


















This is my Ph.D. committee, 1992: Craig Huneke, Luchezar Avramov, William Heinzer; Ian Aberbach is not photographed, but he is on the quilt.



















































An article on mathematics and quilting (first three sections only), in particular, on piecing semiregular tessellations. Semiregular tessellations are explained at a high-school level, some results are proved, some mathematical activities are proposed for learners of less and more advanced levels, and then quick and new piecing methods are developed for making quilts. This is now a chapter in the book Crafting by Concepts (link to Taylor and Francis Group), edited by sarah-marie belcastro and Carolyn Yackel and published by A K Peters in 2011.

In my chapter I present some new methods of making quilts accurately and fast, but with the (lovely) advantage of creating "waste" that can be turned into lovely leftover quilts. Below find the photos of the resulting semiregular tessellations quilts, and the leftover quilts.