Week 7 Readings
5. Joining, drying, and preventing failures (cracks/warping)
Most beginner problems come from two things: uneven thickness and uneven drying.
Joining basics (strong seams)
- Score both surfaces
- Add slip (liquid clay)
- Press together firmly
- Compress the seam (inside and outside)
Drying control (the most important home skill)
- Dry slowly and evenly
- Cover loosely with plastic to slow the process
- Turn pieces occasionally so the base doesn’t stay wetter than the rim
- Avoid placing pieces near heat sources or strong sunlight
Common failures and what they suggest
- Crack at base: base too thick or dried slower than walls
- Crack at join: join not scored/compressed enough
- Warped plate: slab dried unevenly or wasn’t supported
- Collapsed vase: walls too wet; built too fast without stiffening
Mini-checklist
- Keep wall thickness consistent
- Compress rims and joins
- Dry slowly
- Support wide forms during drying