TurtleStitch: Exploring Shapes and Curves with Coded Embroidery
Joek van Montfort, Richard Millwood, and Margaret Low

Proceedings of Bridges 2025: Mathematics and the Arts
Pages 633–638
Workshop Papers

Abstract

Turtle Stitch is a web based programming environment using Turtle Geometry primarily to design embroideries which can be made on a digital embroidery machine. The designs are made by writing code: child friendly blocks are clicked together to specify the instructions. Mathematical functions and concepts are built in as in most programming languages; mathematical ideas can be explored by experimenting with the code. This workshop gives participants the experience of making a mathematical artwork, a piece of embroidery reflecting their own explorations.

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