wrote:
Hi all

I'm new in polymer clay, and I'm trying to do sculptures. I'd like to
dress my little people with polymer dresses. My problem is with the
motifs, I've tried to do square canes (with four flowers, for
instance) and then put them on top of a thin layer of polymer. My
problem is that I end up with different thicknesses of motifs and when
I pass the layer through the pasta machine they distort a lot. Also,
sometimes they break. What can I do?

Thanks



I'd say that the first thing to do is make sure that the slices are the same thickness...and that they're pretty thin to begin with. I don't have a cane slicer (the machine; too expensive!), but it's easier to keep the slices straight if you have the cane directly beneath you, so you're looking down at the cane.

Have you rolled over the motif slices (once placed on top of the polymer sheet) with an acrylic roller? This will help to attach the slices to the sheet, as well as warm them up before rolling the sheet through the pasta machine. Be sure to roll in all directions to minimize distortion. Additionally, be sure that the sheet is at (or at least very close to) the desired ending thickness before you place motifs on top. You could even try to set the PM one setting thicker than the thickness of the sheet (after motifs are placed) to minimize distortion.

As for the breaking, it could be that the slices are too thick or too cold. I hope you're not using Sculpey III clay. It's the most brittle clay (once baked).

Have you checked out www.polymerclaycentral.com ? Lots of nice and helpful people there!


Good luck,
Turtlelover