Exploring Symmetry
WHAT IS SYMMETRY?
Symmetry is a system of arranging repeating parts to form a pattern. In symmetrical patterns the basic unit or ‘cell’ is arranged so that identical cells face each other or rotate around an axis. An axis is an imaginary line around which a body rotates. The axis of symmetry creates exact reflections on each of its sides.
Symmetry is everywhere around us in the natural and manmade world – from flowers, leaves and insect wings to buildings, furniture and wallpaper.
Symmetrical patterns are used all the time in patchwork, appliqué and quilting. Using symmetry not only introduces a satisfying sense of pattern but also provides a wide range of visual variation. In this article, we look at how a design can change and develop once we apply some principles of symmetry. When analysing blocks, quilt layouts and quilting patterns, you can find evidence of many types of symmetry, often used simultaneously. Symmetry is also a quality intrinsic to creating tessellating patterns, which we looked at in issue 71 of Today’s Quilter.
There are many, many types of symmetry. In Jinny Beyer’s fascinating book Designing Tessellations, she describes twenty-four (24) types of symmetry in surface designs! We don’t have the space to go into that much depth, but we will describe and illustrate the basic types and explore how they can be used in our work.
TYPES OF SYMMETRY
In this article, we will describe four (4) types of symmetry, which are the most useful to quilters. These can be combined to create linear or border symmetries and also two-dimensional symmetries (called wallpaper symmetries).
■ Translation symmetry.
■ Rotation symmetry.
■ Reflection symmetry.
■ Glide symmetry.
