Coil Pottery design for Students

You’ll improve your coil pottery by working out your design in advance. Without a little planning, coil pots can be a bit of a dog’s dinner!

Design your pot with a pattern that is repeated in the handle, body and foot. The secret to a good coil pot is strong pattern repetition.

If you spend a little time before class thinking about your design, you won’t have that “where do I start” moment in class time. You’re also more likely to make something you like. Here are some examples:

Here are some examples of coil motifs you could use for your pattern. Really, the options are pretty endless. Think of how many ways your could play with a piece of wet spaghetti.

Your sketch can be quite simple. Don’t try to draw the entire thing. Concentrate only on a pattern that will be repeated through the body, handle and foot of your pot. Your sketch also doesn’t need to be pretty. If you understand it, that’s good enough. Here’s an example.

On this sketch, the repeat pattern is the lines of dots (or little balls) You can figure out the “filler” (the white space in the middle of the pot) once you’re in class. You really need to sketch only the pattern that you’ll use on the body, handles, and foot.

Your pattern may influence the pot form. For example, it might create a wavy top edge or foot and determine the position of the handles. Here are some good examples of work to give you inspiration.

Once you’re in class, your design may need to change a bit to fit the bowl shape or thickness of your coils. That’s okay.

Also, copying is okay when you’re learning. If you like one of these examples, go ahead and make it!

If this doesn’t make any sense to you, don’t worry about it. We’ll practice and design in class time.

If you have any questions. I’m on What’s app and Messages at 07443427162

love and pottery,

Julie