Throwing a Clay Pot on a Potter's Wheel

Thrown pottery, once glazed, can be functional as well as an art piece.

Pottery has been crafted throughout the centuries utilizing various handbuilding techniques. Today, the electric pottery wheel expands the beginning and experienced potter's ability to pull a wide variety of shapes from a simple lump of clay. Throwing pottery requires strong hands and wrists. When working with a wheel, the potter must hold his hands steady to form smooth, even sides and prevent collapsed or misshapen pottery.

Things You'll Need

• Clay
• Wedging wire
• Potter’s wheel
• Small bucket or dish of water
• Small sponge
• Steel rib
• Dry sponge
• 3 feet of fishing line

Instructions

1. Knead the clay slab thoroughly before placing it on the wheel; this is referred to as wedging the clay. Cut the kneaded clay in half with the wedging wire and examine the cut section. If you see air bubbles or inconsistencies in texture, the clay isn't ready to throw; a lack of uniform density may cause your piece to explode in the kiln.

2. Form the thoroughly kneaded clay into a ball. Throw the ball of clay onto the center of the wheel. Press the ball of clay to the wheel.

3. Turn on the wheel. Wet your hands in the water. Wrap your hands around the clay as it turns. Plant your elbows on your thighs and use the weight of your body to press into the clay. As you tighten your hands, move them upwards, forming the clay into a cone. When the cone is twice as tall as your hands, cross your hands and press down until the clay forms a thick disc. Repeat the process of drawing the clay into a cone shape and pressing it back down to center your clay on the wheel. Beginners often find centering challenging; patience is required. Press the clay back into a thick, flat shape once centered.

4. Press your right thumb down slightly to the right of the center of your clay. Apply constant pressure as the clay spins. Hold the side of the pot with your left hand to support the growing walls. Continue to press the clay until the bottom is about 1/2-inch thick. This thickness will vary depending on the type of clay and your growing skill as a potter.

5. Dip a small sponge in water and place the sponge against the inside edge of the pot. This pads your fingers and helps to keep the side uniform. Hold both your fingers and the sponge steady as you press from the inside of the pot with your right hand. Support the outside of the pot with your left hand. As you press the sponge into the clay, the clay walls thin and grow taller. Pull the sides as tall as you desire. Shorter pots are often easier for beginners than tall, narrow vases; the sides are less likely to collapse.

6. Press the clay outward with your right hand while slowly moving your left hand away from the center to widen the opening of your pot. Press the clay with your left hand while slowly moving your right hand toward the center to narrow your pot.

7. Hold the steel rib in your right hand at an angle to the pot. The steel rib is a flexible, oval-shaped piece of metal. Scrape the inner and outer surfaces of the pot to give your piece a finished look.

8. Place the scraper against the top lip of the pot to even out the top edge. For a more rounded top edge, hook your index finger over the lip of the pot as wheel spins. Press lightly into the clay to smooth the edge without collapsing the wall of the pot. Turn off the wheel.

9. Pat the sides of the pot gently with a dry sponge. This removes excess water and makes the pot easier to handle. Wash and dry your hands.

10. Twist a small length of fishing wire around each index fingers and pull taut between your hands. Slide the fishing line between the pot and the wheel in one quick movement to separate them from each other. Gently pick up the pot and place it in a safe area to air dry before firing in a kiln. Drying time varies based on the type of clay and amount of moisture in the air.

Tips & Warnings

• If the edge of your clay starts to crack as you raise the sides, stop the wheel. Dip your hands in water and moisten the edge of the pot. Smooth over the cracked section with your fingers until the split is no longer visible.

• Use the edge of the steel rib or other tools to create lines in your pot. Simply press the edge of the rib into the pot while it rotates.

• Ask a friend to steady the pot the first time you cut it from the wheel. If you cut it too slowly, the bottom of the pot shifts and changes shape. If you move too quickly, you risk knocking over your pot.

• Never throw clay at a wedging wire. The weight of the clay can snap the wire and cause injury.

• Wear old clothes and an apron. Clay and water spray from the wheel and stain fabric.

• Clean the wheel and your tools thoroughly after each use.

References

• Goshen: Learning to Throw
• JH Pottery: Tutorial
• History for Kids: Pottery