How to make a slab-built ceramic bowl (free template)

A bowl is one of the most satisfying slab-building projects — and one of the simplest once you have the right template. No wheel is needed: a flared wall, a base, and you are ready to go.

What you need

• Clay — grogged stoneware is forgiving.

• A rolling pin, guide sticks, a knife, slip and a rib.

• Your printed template: flared wall + base.

Step 1 — Prepare your slab

Roll clay between guide sticks — 5–6 mm for a bowl. Let it firm up to a soft-leather-hard state. Thickness matters for both strength and the pattern calculation: choose the right slab thickness

Step 2 — Cut the template

Generate the developed flared wall and base, print at full size, lay it on the slab and cut.

Create your bowl template for free

Step 3 — Build the wall

Curve the strip into a flared cone. Bevel the two joining edges, score, add slip, press, then smooth the inner seam.

Step 4 — Add the base

Set the wall on the base disc, trace and cut. Score and slip all around, join, then reinforce the inside with a small smoothed coil.

Step 5 — Dry slowly

Add a foot ring if you want, then dry very slowly and covered. Even thickness and slow drying are the keys to avoiding cracks.

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