Using the foam push method to make a dish using Fin Pottery Tools pottery forms.

How to use pottery forms: The drape and foam press methods

April 13, 2024

Here are the ways you can make dishes using our pottery forms — and they’re both simple and easy to follow!

The drape method

This is a classic method of making dishes using pottery forms.

Below are written and video instructions.

Making dishes using the drape method:

Prepare your slab of clay. Roll 1/4 inch / 6mm thick. Smooth both side with a rib.
Place the form you're using on top of the slab, and use a knife to cut the clay 2.5cm larger than the form.
Make sure your form has a Base/Handle attached for easy handling. Place the clay on top of the form, and use your fingers and a rib to press and smooth the clay around the form. Leave for around 10 minutes.
To cut off excess clay, use a knife and cut underneath the form and all the way around. (See the video below to best understand this step.)
Once again, use a rib to smooth the clay around the form. Turn over the form and cut any more excess clay with the knife. Tidy up the rim with your fingers or rib.
When ready to remove the form from the dish, support the dish with one hand and with the other hand hold on to the Base/Handle and gently wiggle the form out. If the form is sticking to the clay, leave for another 10 minutes, and/or gently pry the rim at a few points from the form, and try removing again.
Very carefully (do not bend or warp your dish) transfer your dish to a flat surface to dry slowly and evening. We recommend drying dishes under plastic, away from drafts of wind (such as from open windows). You can also use weighted bags (e.g. homemade bags of rice or sand) to discourage warping.

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The foam method

This is our go-to method to make dishes with our pottery forms.

You will need our Pottery Foam as well as your pottery form of choice.

(Please note: the foam method works best with forms with roundover edge. The bevelled edge is sharper than the roundover, and pushing bevelled forms into foam can cut the clay between the base and rim of the dish.)

Below are written and video instructions.

Making dishes using the foam method:

Prepare your slab of clay. Roll 1/4 inch / 6mm thick. Smooth both side with a rib.
Place the form you're using on top of the slab, and use a knife to cut the clay 2.5cm larger than the form.
Now place your clay on top of our Pottery Foam. Place the form on top of the clay, centering the form as best you can.
Push the form down into the foam evenly, and 'roll' in a circle so the clay hugs the rim.
With the clay still attached to the form, flip both (making sure you have a Base/Handle attached to the form for easy handling) and use your fingers and a rib to smooth the clay around the form. Leave for around 10 minutes.
When ready to remove the form from the dish, support the dish with one hand and with the other hand hold on to the Base/Handle and gently wiggle the form out. If the form is sticking to the clay, leave for another 10 minutes, and/or gently pry the rim at a few points from the form, and try removing again.
Very carefully (do not bend or warp your dish) transfer your dish to a flat surface to dry slowly and evening. We recommend drying dishes under plastic, away from drafts of wind (such as from open windows). You can also use weighted bags (e.g. homemade bags of rice or sand) to discourage warping.