Welcome to my page of Pottery Patterns!
Designed for makers, teachers, and clay enthusiasts by a seasoned expert with 30 years of experience, these pottery patterns are meticulously crafted. Each template comes with step-by-step instructions, comprehensive materials and tools lists, and the option to purchase a video tutorial for a full instructional workshop. Roll out a slab of clay and get ready to make some pottery!
available Patterns by Jen Allen Ceramics:
click on a pattern image below to link to it’s product page.
The story behind the pottery patterns:
Throughout 30+ years of making, I have been fascinated with creating patterns (templates) for soft-slab forms. It started out as a method to create repeatable spout and handle forms and has evolved to complete patterns ( a series of templates) for entire forms! As a young sewing enthusiast in the early 90’s, I landed a job at JoAnn Fabrics where I worked for a few years as a fabric specialist. During that time, I made and altered most of my own clothes, pieced together quilts from my remnant collection, and constructed several bags/purses. Then, in 1995, I found clay as an undergraduates student, and the sewing machine began collecting dust. When the pandemic hit, the sewing machine re-emerged and my potter’s wheel retreated. I have not looked back. The last 5 years of studio practice has focused on slab- built ceramics.
This new collection of patterns has been the focus of my research for the last couple of years and I have finally distilled some of my form ideas into repeatable patterns/templates. They are a labor of love and I was thoughtful about how I package, print, and offer these for sale. They are meant to be accessible to any level of maker from beginning to advanced. Prior clay (handbuilding) knowledge is helpful, but not essential.
Each pottery pattern is made up of an envelope with enclosed pattern pieces and instructions. They are available to purchase as either a downloadable pdf, or a tyvek product that will be shipped. Pottery Patterns are paper (or tyvek) templates, two 2-dimensional shapes, that are meant to be transferred onto a clay slab(s) and then folded into 3-dimensional pottery form(s). Clay and tools are NOT included. A list of tools and materials needed to complete each pattern is listed on the back of each envelope.
TYVEK OPTION*: The envelope for this pattern fulfillment option is paper and is printed on both sides but the pattern pieces inside are printed on Tyvek, a tear-resistant and water-resistant material. They are made to hold up in the studio.
PDF DOWNLOADS: The pdf downloads will instantly be delivered as an email. Please note that pdf’s are formatted for 11”x 17” or 8.5” x 11” paper.
