Adapting Quilt Patterns To
Polymer Clay
Written
with clear instructions for a bevy of colorful quilt block canes and
more, this book will also feature a gallery of scrumptious photos of
polymer clay art works by many talented artists.
Some are well known names while others are newly emerging into the
spotlight---and ALL do fabulous work!
Quilt block designs and pieced top patterns lend themselves
beautifully to millefiore cane making and other techniques used in
polymer clay. See how they are used to form decorative and useful
pieces for your home or a favorite quilter!
Books on fabric art and textiles from many
parts of the world provide inspiration for image designs as well as
some copyright-free sources of artwork
suitable for making rubber stamps and other
tools for impressions.
When the days are short and the light fades
early, there's nothing like a quilt for color and warmth.
Many
polymer clay artists come to the media with an already developed love
of textiles and quilting. A huge variety of potential designs combine
floral and geometric precision with unlimited range of colors and a
rich history of pattern.
(This is true in either medium, fabric or polymer clay!)
From solid
blocks of color in the Amish tradition to pieced satins and silks
embroidered into fabulous "crazy quilts", inspirations for
polymer clay cane designs are found everywhere!
The
quilts shown above and to the left are polymer clay pieces created by Judith
Skinner, using a millefiore cane technique.
(They are NOT fabric!) They are miniature versions of traditional
quilt designs--but these are only an inch or two wide!
Known around the world for her gift to the polymer clay community
of "The Skinner Blend" (a color gradation technique used by
many polymer clay artists the world over), Judith is also known for
her very precise canes.
Now she's combined both in a
gorgeous new book!
As
a textile artist and seamstress, Sarajane's training in fabric design
often has a great impact on her designs in polymer clay as well.
Many of the maquettes created in years past for sale to the garment
and fabric design industry now provide inspiration for polymer clay
canes.
Coming full circle, she's now creating miniature bolts of
"fabric" made of polymer clay to stock a scale model
quilter's fabric store called
"Pieces" as part of the book.
And she isn't the only one---
Many wonderful and generous polymer clay artists
throughout the world are contributing THEIR designs to help stock the
shelves at "Pieces"!
The participants at the National Polymer
Clay Guild's recent annual retreat at Shrinemont say they had a
lot of fun putting together well over 100 bolts!!
Each one is a sweet little sample of a different color or pattern,
and together they create a rainbow of possibilities on the shelves. They and other invited artists made this project an outstanding
example of the fun that can be found in such infinite variety of
choice--and with such friends.
More polymer artists are contributing a variety of their quilt
themed work to the gorgeous gallery section. Individually Judith and
Sarajane have each found great joy and aesthetic training through a
love of textiles, clays, paper and many other media.
Written,
photographed and pieced together by well known polymer clay artists Judith
Skinner and Sarajane Helm, this colorful
and informative book offers over a dozen traditional quilt patterns
interpreted for use with polymer clay. Textiles design, quilting, and
polymer clay millefiore cane making have a great deal in
common.Quilters and PC artisans share a deep love of color, pattern,
and using up those little bits to create bigger pieces. Amish Bars,
Nine-Patch Variations, Drunkard's Path...these and others are shown in
close-up detailed pictures. Think of the decorative potentials of
quilt block buttons and jewelry---and decorative items for the home!
This book is STUFFED from cover to cover, just
like a good quilt. In it you'll find a world of colorful inspiration.
There
are many parts coming together to create this project--and our
miniature "fabric" store would
delight any 1/6 (fashion doll) scale seamstress working on a polymer
clay quilt.
More than 252 bolts of polymer clay print "textiles" line
the shelves, and are the collective work of more than 60 different
artists throughout the United States--from Connecticut to California.
There are many more when you count the
solid color bolts as well.
The variety of work contributed and seen here is amazing! We were
gifted by our wonderful friends; some of whom we've never seen in
person but know through the Internet.
The sharing of favorite fabrics
is a common thread seen in groups of quilters using cloth and polymer
clay both. Circles of friends form in both worlds and share their
enthusiasms together as they work.
Polymarket Press is the
publishing collective through which we are releasing our first how-to
book.
Purchase it now at Amazon.com
Copyright©1995-2010 Sarajane Helm All rights
are held by the artist
Reproduction without permission is
a violation of copyright law
