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Checkerboard Ikat Cane Polymer Clay Tutorial

Checkerboard Ikat Cane Polymer Clay Tutorial
Checkerboard Ikat Cane Polymer Clay Tutorial

Did you know you can use leftover checkerboard canes to make an Ikat cane. This technique creates more distinct lines than the basic Ikat, and produces something beautiful from your scraps.

This technique is by no means exact, so it’s a great way to use up those checkerboards that just didn’t turn out all that great. The one I’m showing today is very simple, but I plan to do a more complex one in the future involving Skinner Blends.

If you haven't made a Checkerboard Cane before, watch the tutorial listed in the suggested links box below the video before you watch this one.


You will need the following supplies:

  • A square Checkerboard Cane (I’m using a black and white Kato one)
  • A tissue blade
  • A pasta machine
  • An acrylic roller

Steps To Making A Checkerboard Ikat Cane

  • To start you’ll need a square Checkerboard Cane. I’m using a black and white one I made in my Checkerboard Cane Tutorial.
  • Start by turning the Checkerboard so that it appears as a diamond and not a square.
  • Press two opposite corners towards one another so that you flatten the diamond. (See the video for more information.)
  • Now roll it out into a thin sheet. You should always be lengthening the stripes and not widening them.
  • Squish the edges in as you go to prevent the strip from widening too much.
  • Roll the sheet through your pasta machine starting at your thickest setting and progressing down to your middle setting. Make sure you are always rolling in such a way that you are lengthening the stripes.
  • Now cut that sheet into equal lengths and stack the lengths on top of each other.
  • Gently squish the pieces together to form a rectangular cane.
  • Reduce the cane into an elongated rectangle.
  • Slice off the untidy ends, cut the rectangle in half, and stack.
  • Squish the two pieces back together.
  • Slice and you should have the look of an Ikat Cane.
On the video I show the effect of reversing the colors of your Checkerboard, so be sure to check that out.


Checkerboard Ikat Cane Polymer Clay Tutorial

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If you need more information on reducing your canes, take a look at my reducing polymer clay canes tutorial, where I show how to reduce round, square, triangular and hexagonal canes correctly.


If I have missed something, or you still have questions, please leave a comment below.


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