Basic Steps for Throwing on the Wheel

1. Wedge clay well, form into a round ball.

2. Throw the clay onto center of a bat on the wheel. Seal base, pat into cone.

3. Center clay: Brace arms on legs, have wheel speed medium-fast.

Place hands around base of clay, slowly squeeze clay to center and cone up.

4. Push clay down: With the heel of your left hand, push the left side of clay and with side of your right hand press down on the top of it.

5. Open up clay: Slow wheel, place thumbs together, push down into middle

of clay. Leave 1⁄2” clay at bottom - measure with needle tool.

6. Create floor: Start in center, pull fingers of right hand outward. For cylinder, keep floor flat. For bowl, let fingers curve up wall to establish curve.

7. Pull walls: Slow wheel. Left hand inside, right hand outside (3 o’clock). Right hand pushes at base to move clay up & rises just above left. Gently squeeze and let hands travel up with clay. Keep clay in a cone shape.

8. Shape: To shape in: outside fingers above inside, press slowly in and up. To shape out: inside fingers above outside, press slowly out and up.

Use a rib to refine and smooth curves, also to remove water from surface.

9. Finish: Trim rim to level. Trim excess clay at base. For bowls leave clay at base to support walls. Pull string under base.

Always remember to keep elbows as close to torso as possible

The steps I had the most trouble with was always keeping my elbows near my body and pulling the walls out, then shaping them so that the clay is evenly distributed.