Latin Square Quilt Cane

Tutorial by Alan Vernall

Published October 1, 2006

This article was originally published on the ClayPlayPals Yahoo Group.

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This cane is quite simple to make, but can look impressive either as separate slices or when tiled together, particularly when used to make an ornament or to cover an object with clay.

Supplies

Equal quantities of seven colors of clay are needed - either a full spectrum or a series of toning shades for a subtler final pattern. The measurements given in the method are for about 2 ounces of each of the seven colors.

Instructions

Step 1

All the clays are thoroughly conditioned - make sure that the different colors have similar consistencies. If any are too 'sloppy', they should be leached for a few hours. (To leach the clay, it's rolled into a sheet and placed between layers of clean paper - this process removes excess plasticizer from the clay and will reduce its stickiness.)

Each of the colours is formed into a square section log (at this stage, one can cover each of the colours with a sheet of 'background' colour if one wishes - this helps to define the colours in the cane. However, this definition can also highlight any distortions that may occur in the reduction process)

Reduce all the coloured logs by pressing between fingers and thumbs until the cross section of each is about 1/4inch square. Cut all the logs into seven x 3inch lengths.

The cane is now assembled in rows, so that each row has one length of each colour in it. The row above has the same seven colours, but their sequence is shifted by one step.

Step 2

The cane is now reduced to about eight times its original length. The ends are discarded because this is where most reduction distortion occurs. The remaining cane is measured and cut into four equal lengths.

Step 3

The four lengths are assembled into a square section cane - two rows of two. This assembly can be done in two main ways; either with any predominating colors forming an 'X', or a 'Diamond'.

Variations/Final Thoughts

If the cane is to be tiled over a larger area such as a bowl or over a glass vessel for example, the 'X' or 'Diamond' orientation isn't important, because after slices of either cane form have been placed side-by-side, the resulting pattern is a combination of both effects.

In my opinion, if the cane slices are to be used singly, for example, on beads, the 'diamond' form is more pleasing and looks more 'complete'.

An additional idea, which can make this cane even more impressive, is that all the original colored logs can be made from blended shades - either lighter in the center of the logs or around their edges.

:-)

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