quilling 101 tutorial

7/28/2019 Quilling 101 Tutorial

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Quilling 101TutorialBy Ann Martin

Quilling, the coiling and shaping of narrow paper strips to create a design, has been aroundfor yearshundreds, in fact. During the Renaissance, nuns and monks would roll gold-

gilded paper remnants trimmed during the bookmaking process, and use them to decoratereligious objects as an alternative to costly gold filigree. Quilling later became a pastime of

18th and 19th century young ladies in England, who would decorate tea caddies and pieces


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of furniture with paper filigree. The practice crossed the Atlantic with colonists, who added

quilling to candle sconces and trays as home decorations.

In all of that time, the process has remained very much the same, but quilling designs and

specialty supplies have definitely caught up to the 21st century. Today some aficionados

focus on making incredibly detailed 3-D figures, while others favor wall-sized museum

installations. Perhaps quilling is best known, though, as a way of bringing personality tohandmade cards.

The short list of necessities includes strips of lightweight paper, glue, and a tool with whichto roll the paperthats it! Even better, theres probably no need to shop for supplies before

you try quilling, as a bamboo skewer, round toothpick, or even a cake tester from your

kitchen drawer can serve as a substitute tool. Cut your own practice strips from a sheet ofordinary computer paper, using a paper cutter.

Many arts and crafts stores sell basic tools and packages of multicolor paper strips. Beautifulpapers and other quilling supplies are available from online suppliers. Oh, and lastly, one

requirement thats not available for purchase, but will also be needed, is a fair amount of

patience. With a little practice, however, I can almost predict youll find quilling to becreatively satisfying and fun.


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The projects in this article feature the teardrop coil, but there are many other intriguing

shapes to trymarquises, arrowheads, holly leaves, and all sorts of beautiful scrolls, just toname a few.

Materials

Quilling paper: 1/8", standard widthQuilling tool needle tool or slotted tool

Ruler

Scissors

Tweezers

Glue clear-drying, suitable for paper

Plastic lid to use as a glue palette

T-pin, paper piercing tool, or round toothpick

Glass-head straight pins

Non-stick work board, cork, or styrofoam something into which you can stick pinsDamp cloth to keep fingers free of glue

Directions

When purchasing a tool there are 2 basic types: a slotted tool and needle tool. The slotted

tool is easiest to use; its only disadvantage is that the slot leaves a tiny crimp in the center ofthe coil. If this is bothersome, purchase an ultra-fine slotted tool or try a needle tool. The

needle tool is a bit more difficult to master, but the reward will be a coil with a perfectlyround center.


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To roll a coil with a slotted tool: Slide the very end of a strip into the slot, and turn the toolwith one hand while evenly guiding the strip with the other.


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To roll a coil with a needle tool: Dampen fingers and curve one end of a strip across theneedle. Roll the strip around the needle with the thumb and index finger of whichever handfeels most comfortable, applying even, firm pressure, while holding the handle of the tool

with the other hand. Be sure to roll the paper, not the tool.


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Whether using a slotted tool or needle tool, when the strip is fully rolled, allow the coil to

relax, slide it off the tool, and glue the end. Use only a very small amount of glue, applying itwith the tip of a T-pin, paper piercing tool, or toothpick. Hold the end in place for a few

moments while the glue dries. This is called a loose coil, and its the basic shape from whichmany other shapes are made.

Candy Jar Project


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Materials

Glass jar

Grosgrain ribbonred, 3/8"

Quilling paper, red, 1/8"

Cardstock, whiteAdhesive foam dots

Directions


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Step 1: Make 4 teardrop. Roll a 12" loose coil. Press the coil slightly between your fingers,and, if necessary, use a pin to arrange the inner coils so they are evenly spaced.

Pinch sharply at the tip to make a point. Glue the end and trim the excess paper.


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Step 2: Make 2 hearts. Place 2 teardrops side by side on the work board to create a heart

shape, positioning them in opposite directions so the inner coils appear to meet. Apply glueat the join spot.


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Hold the teardrops in place with pins while the glue dries.

Step 3: Fill a jar with your favorite treat and tie a ribbon around it.

Step 4: Cut 2 white, 1" cardstock squares and glue a heart on each.

Tip: When gluing a quilled object on a background, spread a shallow puddle of glue on aplastic container lid or a sheet of waxed paper. Hold the quilling with tweezers and dip itsunderside gently in glue. Place directly on the background.

Step 5: Attach 1 square to each ribbon tail with a glue dot.

Valentine Card


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Materials

Cardstock, red The type I used has mica bits for a nice sparkle.

Watercolor digital paperPDFPrinter quilling paper, red, 1/8"

Twill tape, white, 1/2"

Paper clip, red

Jewelry pliers, 2 flat-nose

Jump rings, 2 silver

Clear message sticker

Glue stick

Paper cutter

Printer

Directions

Step 1: Score and fold a 7"x5" piece of red cardstock to make a 3"x5" card.

Step 2: Print out the digital watercolor background and cut it to measure 3"x5". Use a gluestick to adhere the rectangle to the center of the card.

Step 3: Outline the patterned paper with quilling strips. Overlap the strips squarely at the

corners or miter at a slant as shown, following mytutorial.
http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3031/g00385/downloads/46-valentine0022_y01e.pdfhttp://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3031/g00385/downloads/46-valentine0022_y01e.pdfhttp://allthingspaper-annmartin.blogspot.com/2009/07/mitered-corners.htmlhttp://allthingspaper-annmartin.blogspot.com/2009/07/mitered-corners.htmlhttp://allthingspaper-annmartin.blogspot.com/2009/07/mitered-corners.htmlhttp://allthingspaper-annmartin.blogspot.com/2009/07/mitered-corners.htmlhttp://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3031/g00385/downloads/46-valentine0022_y01e.pdf


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Step 4: Make a heart (2 teardrops). Each teardrop requires a full-length strip, 24". Position

the teardrops so that the inner coils face in the same direction. (This is opposite of the waythe candy jar teardrops were positioned.) Facing the coils in the same direction will give a

nice look when shaping the curve. Glue the teardrops side by side, pinning them in place on

the work board until dry.


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Step 5: Grasp the tip of the heart and curve it gently.

Step 6: Roll a 2" strip around the shaft of a paper piercing tool or round toothpick to makea bead. Glue the torn end.

Tip: A torn end blends better than a blunt cut.


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Step 7: Pinch the bead to form an oval ring coil.

Glue the bead between the heart curves.

Step 8: Use pliers to open 2 jump rings and attach them to the ring coil.


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As a variation, add a chain and wear the quilled heart as a necklace pendant. If desired, spraythe heart with a satin finish acrylic varnish to give it water resistance and extra durability.

Books:If youd like to learn more about paper quilling, a few of my favorite books forbeginners arePaper Quilling for the First Time and 50 Nifty Quilled Cards, both by AlliBartkowski, and a book from the Klutz series, Twirled Paper, by Jacqueline Lee.

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