Quilling Information - Techniques, Designs
& Ideas
Quilling or paper filigree is the art of rolling thin strips of paper into different
shapes and using the shapes to form designs. Quilling has been around since the
Renaissance age, but I was only recently introduced to it. It is fun and easy and I
find it to be pretty relaxing. I hope this introduction to Quilling will spark an
interest, and start you imagination flowing.
Tools
The tools needed for this craft are very basic. Paper strips, something to wind
the strips around and glue are basically all you need to get started. Paper comes in many
different weights. You select the weight according to what you want your finished design
to look like. The strips of paper are usually cut anywhere from 1/8" to 1" wide
with 1/8" being the standard. In the examples I used ordinary construction paper cut
into 1/8" strips. I used a toothpick to wind the coils, but some prefer needles,
pins, hat pins or some specially designed tools for quilling. Ordinary clear-drying white
glue is good for most projects. If you are using a paper that has been sprayed with
metallic paint, a heavier clear-drying glue may be used.
Other tools that may be helpful
 | Scissors for cutting the strips of paper, although you can purchase pre-cut strips of
paper for quilling in some craft stores. |
| A small plastic cap or plastic bottle to hold a few drops of glue so the rest of the
bottle won't dry out. |
| A ruler is used to achieve uniformity in the size of the pieces. |
| You can use a piece of corrugated cardboard covered with waxed paper as a work board. A
pattern can be slipped between the cardboard and the wax paper and if glue gets onto the
wax paper it can easily be peeled off. Another alternative is styrofoam covered with
plastic wrap. |
| Tweezers and a muffin tin are good to have handy for organizing by different size or
shape and the tweezers will help you pick up or place the smaller pieces into position. |
| A damp sponge or washcloth is helpful to keep your fingers free of glue and to moisten
the strip when you start a coil. |
 |
"V" Shape
Fold the strip in half and roll the ends on the outside of the paper, away from
the inner crease. |
 |
Feelers
Roll only a small part of the paper strip, leaving the rest of the strip
straight. Feelers can be made with the strip folded in half as in this example, or just
with one coil from an unfolded strip. |
 |
Peacock Eye
This can be made from either a loose or tight coil. After the coil is made pinch
one side. A petal can be formed by bending the tip of the peacock eye slightly to one
side. |
 |
Contoured Peg
After rolling a tight coil, push the peg up from underneath the center to contour
it's shape. Used to add dimension to a design. |
 |
Peg
Roll a strip of paper tightly and glue the end while the coil is still tight.
Pegs can be used in the design or glued to the underside of another shape to raise it
creating dimension. |
 |
Quotes
Fold the strip in half, roll the ends in the same direction. One coil will be
rolled toward the center crease, the other away from it. |
 |
Open Heart
Fold the strip of paper in half and roll the ends toward the center of the
crease. |
 |
Tendril (Note this got smashed in the scanner it should be open
and springy looking)
Roll in a spiral shape around the toothpick as tight as desired, also known as a
spiral, rope or twist. |
 |
"S" Shape
Roll from both ends of the paper but on opposite sides of the strip. |
