How Do You Roll Clay Into A Coil?

A clay coil is a long, cylindrical piece of clay formed by rolling clay into an elongated strip or “snake.” Coiling is a hand-building technique used to create ceramic vessels and sculptures by stacking and blending together successive coils of clay.

Making clay coils involves simple steps of rolling, smoothing, and shaping clay. But it allows for tremendous creative freedom in building ceramic artworks. The coil building method produces seamless, organic sculptural forms not easily achieved using other techniques like slab construction or wheel throwing.

Coiling has numerous benefits as a clay shaping method. It enables intricate shapes and patterns. The gradual coil-by-coil process gives the artist great control and flexibility to change directions. And clay coils can be made ahead then stored for future use in projects.

Gather Materials

When working with clay, having the right materials on hand will make the process easier. The main items you will need include:

• Air-dry clay or polymer clay – The type of clay you use will impact the finished result. Air-dry clay is inexpensive and dries hard at room temperature. Polymer clay requires baking to harden and produces more detailed results.
• Rolling pin – A basic rolling pin with a cylindrical shape works best for rolling clay coils. Choose one that feels comfortable in your hands.
• Work surface – This can be any smooth, stiff surface that you don’t mind getting clay on. A table, countertop, acrylic sheet, or canvas board all make good work surfaces.

Gather these materials before you begin working with the clay so everything you need is within reach.

Prepare the Clay

Before you can roll clay into coils, you need to make sure the clay is in the proper state. If the clay is too wet, it will be sticky and difficult to handle. If it’s too dry, it will crack and crumble when rolled. Properly conditioned clay should feel smooth, firm but still pliable.

Start by taking your clay out of the packaging. If it feels very stiff, let it sit out uncovered for 10-15 minutes so it can absorb some moisture from the air. This helps soften it up. If the clay is sticky or mushy, knead it on a clean work surface for a few minutes. This will stiffen it up by evaporating excess moisture.

Once your clay is conditioned, form it into a smooth ball. Make sure there are no cracks or air pockets. Squeeze and work the clay until it holds its shape without deforming. This ball of clay is now ready for rolling into coils.

Roll the Clay

Once you have prepared and softened your clay, it’s time to roll it into a coil shape. Here are the key steps for rolling clay:

Place the ball of clay on your work surface. This can be a table, countertop or any other smooth, clean surface. Make sure your hands and work surface have been cleaned to avoid contaminating the clay.

With your palms facing down, gently roll the clay back and forth to elongate it. Apply even pressure as you roll – you don’t want to squash the clay. The motion is similar to rolling dough when cooking or making arts and crafts.

Roll slowly and steadily, forming the clay into a “snake” shape. Rotate the clay every few rolls to keep the width even. Continue rolling until you have achieved your desired length and thickness. Approximately 1/4″-1/2″ thickness is common for most coiling projects.

Work carefully to keep the coil uniform in size. Avoid tapering the ends or forming any lumps or cracks. The clay should remain smooth and elastic as you roll it out.

If the clay starts to stick, you can lightly dust the work surface with cornstarch or another anti-stick agent. Do not apply anything directly onto the clay.

Once your coil is the proper length and thickness, it is ready for shaping and joining. Handle the clay gently to avoid distorting the coil shape before it dries.

Smooth the Clay

Once you have rolled the clay into a long snake shape, it’s important to smooth out any lumps or imperfections. This will help create an even, uniform coil. Here are some tips for smoothing the clay:

Gently run your fingers along the length of the snake, feeling for any thicker or thinner spots. Apply light pressure to even out the thickness.

Look closely for any cracks, divots, or rough patches. Use your fingers and a bit of water to gently massage and smooth over these areas.

Avoid excessive handling that could stretch or distort the shape. Use a delicate touch to preserve the snake’s length and thickness.

Rotate the snake as you smooth to check all sides. Target any problem spots until the surface feels consistently smooth.

Once the snake has a flawless, even surface from end to end, it’s ready to be coiled or shaped into your desired form.

Lengthen the Clay

Once you have a basic coil shape formed, you can begin lengthening and thinning the clay. This helps create a more uniform thickness and length for coiling.

To lengthen the clay:

• Place both hands shoulder width apart on the clay snake.
• Gently pull your hands away from your body to stretch the clay forward.
• Apply even pressure along the length of the snake to thin it out as you stretch.
• Work slowly and steadily to achieve the desired length and thickness.
• Rotate the clay and repeat lengthening on all sides to maintain thickness.

Lengthening the clay coil takes some practice but allows you to achieve longer, thinner coils for your project. Work carefully to avoid tearing the clay. Add water or slip as needed to prevent sticking and cracking.

Coil the Clay

Now that you have a long snake of clay, it’s time to start coiling it. Hold one end of the snake in your dominant hand. Begin coiling the snake into a spiral shape by wrapping it around your hand or around itself. Make sure to overlap each coil slightly, about 1/4 inch. This overlap will help blend the coils together.

As you coil, apply even pressure and keep the coil uniform in width. Avoid stretching or compressing any section of the coil. Work slowly and methodically to maintain control over the clay. If the clay starts to dry out, moisten it with water to keep it workable.

Continue coiling the snake around itself until you have a coil as long as you need for your project. The coiled clay should be one long piece with consistent thickness throughout.

Blend the Coils

Once you have rolled out several clay coils, it’s time to blend them together. Use your fingers to gently press and smooth the coils into each other where they meet. Blending the coils helps bond them together to form a cohesive shape or structure. As you blend, watch for any gaps between the coils and fill them in by pressing a small piece of clay into the space. The goal is to create an even, uniform surface. Work slowly and gently to avoid distorting the shape. Blending thoroughly will help make your finished piece stronger and more durable once fired or baked. Be patient and take your time smoothing the clay coils into one another.

Shape the Coil

Once you have created a long, evenly thick coil of clay, it’s time to shape it into your desired form. Gently bend and curve the coil into the shape you want, such as a circle for a pot or bowl. As you shape the coil, smooth the edges by gently rubbing your fingers along them to soften and blend the seams together. Shaping the coil while it is still moist allows for the clay to be molded without cracking or breaking apart. Be careful not to handle the coil too roughly or it may lose its form. Shape the coil gradually and carefully for the best results. Once you have shaped the coil into your desired object, allow it to firm up slightly before blending additional coils or attaching other clay pieces.

Let Dry

Allowing your clay coils ample time to air dry is an essential step before handling them further. Setting the coiled and shaped clay aside and letting it dry prevents tearing, cracking, or deforming the clay. Be patient and let the clay dry thoroughly.

The amount of drying time needed will depend on factors like the thickness and size of the coils, the clay type, and the humidity of your climate. Thicker coils will naturally take longer to dry than thinner coils. Give the clay at least 24 hours to air dry before handling. For larger pieces or humid conditions, drying could take 48 hours or longer.

To help the coils dry evenly, place them on a flat surface in an environment with good air circulation. Turn the coils periodically so all sides are exposed to the air. Avoid drying the clay in direct sunlight which could cause uneven shrinkage or cracking.

If you need to expedite the drying time, you can optionally bake the clay in an oven on a low temperature according to the clay manufacturer’s instructions. Firing or baking the clay fully hardens it for handling, assembly, and finishing.

Once the coiled clay is completely dry, it will maintain its shape while still being flexible enough to attach to other clay pieces without deforming. Your clay is ready for the next steps when dried properly.