How to Wedge Clay

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 Tested

Before working in clay, to ensure a successful firing and outcome, wedging is done to remove any air pockets from within the material. Wedging also aids in the alignment of the clay platelets, and makes the clay more pliable.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Preparing to Wedge

1
Gather the appropriate amount of clay for your project. Weigh clay after wedging in case any is lost to the surface. It is also advised to err on the side of caution and wedge slightly more clay than you need rather than come up short.
2
Prepare your wedging surface. Clean off residual clay from previous wedging (if applicable), and make sure the area is free from moisture. Wedging clay onto a wet surface can lead to the clay sticking to your canvas or plaster.

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3
Wedge on raw canvas if the clay is at your preferred moisture level.
- An ideal level is not wet enough so that it sticks to your hands, but finger dents should form when squeezed lightly. It should not slip through your fingers.
4
Wedge on plaster if there is excess moisture. The pottery plaster will absorb excess water in the clay.
- Wedging on plaster can also aid in reclaiming clay from wheel throwing.
5
Set up your tools. A rib tool aids in the reclaiming process, and a wire tool is used to check that the air is fully expelled from your clay.
6
Begin wedging. Gather the clay in your hands, and throw it down onto your surface with some force to expel large pockets of air.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Doing Ram's Head Wedging

1
Reach towards the far end, grab the clay and roll it back towards your body. No pressure should be used at this point.
2
Press down with the heel of your palm while pushing away. Pressure should be applied diagonally inwards towards the center of the clay’s mass.
- Use your body weight as well as strength from your arms in wedging. This process is similar to that of kneading bread.
3
Repeat previous steps several times. The process should take about a minute.
- Turn the clay periodically and repeat the wedging motion to ensure all of the air pockets have left.
- Wedging is a fluid motion similar to rocking the clay back and forth.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Doing Spiral Wedging

1
Push the top of the clay with your dominant hand away from your body.
- Press down with the heel of your palms while pushing away. Pressure should be applied diagonally inwards towards the center of the clay.
2
With your non-dominant hand, turn the clay about 10 degrees.
- Turn clockwise if you are right handed, or counter-clockwise if you are left handed.
3
Reach with both hands to the far edge of the clay, and fold it back in on itself. This motion is similar to rocking the clay back and forth on the table.
- Rounded layers will appear in your clay body as this process continues
4
Repeat the motion to squeeze the air pockets out of the bottom portion of the clay.
- Continue this process for about a minute.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Finishing

1
Check the clay for air pockets. Use your wire tool to cut into the clay and make sure the clay has no visible bubbles or gaps in the clay body.
2
Segment your clay into desired portions, and re wedge or shape as needed.
- Wedged clay should be kept in a plastic bag so it can stay moist if it is not going to be used immediately.