So, you’ve signed up for your first pottery class—maybe it's something you've always wanted to try, or perhaps a friend dragged you along for a creative night out. Either way, welcome to the world of clay!
Pottery is an ancient craft with timeless appeal. But unlike painting or knitting, it requires equipment and supplies that make it something most people can't try at home. That means your first class may feel exciting... and also a little intimidating.
If you're wondering what to expect, how to prepare, and whether you’ll walk away with a masterpiece (spoiler: probably not), this guide is for you.
What to Wear to Pottery Class
You will get a bit dirty. That's part of the fun.
Here’s what you should wear to make your experience more comfortable:
- Old clothes: Choose clothes you don't mind getting stained. Even though most clay washes out, glazes sometimes don't.
- Apron (optional): Many studios provide aprons, but feel free to bring your own.
- Closed-toe shoes: Protect your feet from sharp tools or slippery clay. Sneakers or clogs are perfect.
- Trim your nails: Long nails and wet clay don’t mix. You’ll have more control and less mess if you trim them beforehand.
- Tie your hair back: You don’t want to fish your hair out of your spinning clay mid-throw.
Set Your Expectations Low—and Your Creativity High
Let’s get one thing out of the way: your first pottery class is not about perfection.
In fact, the best advice any pottery teacher will give you is this: go in with an open mind and low expectations. You might create a wobbly bowl or a lopsided mug. You might not end up with a finished piece at all. And that’s okay.
Clay has a mind of its own. Your hands are still learning. The wheel might fight back. But through it all, you can start to enjoy learning a new process, a new art form, and a new technique.
You Probably Won’t Finish a Piece in One Night
Many people are surprised to learn that pottery is a multi-step process. It’s not like painting where you can create something and walk out with it the same night.
If It’s a One-Night Class:
- You’ll likely create a piece—usually something simple like a cup, bowl, or small dish.
- The staff may finish it for you. That includes trimming the base, bisque firing, glazing, and firing again.
- You’ll be notified weeks later when your piece is ready to pick up.
If It’s a Multi-Week Class:
- You’ll return to trim and refine your piece in the next session.
- In the last week or two, you’ll apply glaze.
- Finally, the studio will fire your piece, which may take another week or two.
Why all the steps? Clay needs to dry slowly, get fired at extremely high temperatures, and be handled with care between stages. It’s part science, part patience.
The Wheel Is Harder Than It Looks
If you’re taking a wheel-throwing class, you may have visions of spinning out the perfect ramen bowl or coffee mug like a pro. And while those results may come eventually, your first time will be more about learning the rhythm than creating the masterpiece.
Here are a few basic techniques you’ll likely learn in your first wheel class:
1. Centering
Getting your clay perfectly centered on the spinning wheel. It requires strong arms, focus, and some trial and error. Don’t worry if your piece goes off-center.
2. Opening
Once centered, you'll use your thumbs to create a hole in the middle and begin forming the base. This sets the depth of your piece.
3. Pulling Walls
You’ll gradually draw the clay upward to form the walls of your bowl or cup. It’s the step where most beginners feel things wobble—and that’s totally normal.
4. Shaping
Finally, you’ll shape your piece and clean up the rim. Don’t be surprised if your cylinder looks more like a volcano. Every form has potential!
Handbuilding? Expect More Control
If your class is handbuilding instead of wheel throwing, you'll likely learn techniques like:
- Pinching: Using your fingers to form a bowl or cup from a single lump of clay.
- Coiling: Rolling clay into ropes and stacking them to build a vessel.
- Slab building: Rolling out flat sheets of clay and cutting shapes to construct boxes or plates.
Handbuilding allows for more control and is great for beginners who want to take their time and focus on detail.
Tips to Make the Most of Your First Class
- Ask questions: Your instructor is there to help. No question is too small.
- Be kind to yourself: Everyone struggles at first. Even experienced potters still mess up.
- Embrace the imperfections: Wobbly edges and wonky shapes are what make handmade pottery so special.
- Take photos: Document your progress. You’ll be amazed how far you come over time.
- Don’t rush: Pottery is slow by nature. Lean into the pace.
Why Pottery Is Worth the Effort
Your first pottery class might not produce a showpiece—but it will give you something better: a new connection to your hands, your creativity, and your community.
You’ll begin to understand how much work goes into even the simplest ceramic mug. You’ll appreciate the process—the centering, the shaping, the drying, the firing, the glazing, the firing again. And you’ll discover that every piece of pottery carries a story, even if it’s just your own.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just About the Clay
Whether you leave with a wonky bowl or a lump of clay that didn’t quite work, your first pottery class is a success if you tried something new.
And who knows—maybe it’s the start of something bigger. Maybe you’ll fall in love with the wheel, or start exploring surface design, or join a local community pottery studio to keep learning.
At Kiln Fire, we believe pottery isn’t about perfection—it’s about process. It’s about showing up, getting your hands dirty, and finding joy in the mess.
So take a deep breath, grab an apron, and step up to the wheel. We can’t wait to see what you create.
Looking for Classes?
If you’re ready to try your first pottery class, find a local pottery studio in your area. Many offer beginner-friendly options, including one-night workshops, six-week courses, and open studio hours.
Kiln Fire is software that works with community-focused studios all over the world to make pottery more accessible and welcoming to everyone. From classes and memberships to tools and supplies, we help studios run smoothly—so you can focus on the clay.
