Paper Quilling - Basic Techniques, Shapes and Designs

Paper quilling (also known as paper filigree) is based on the technique of rolling narrow strips of paper into coils which are then arranged to form a decorative pattern. This form of art originated in England and has been practised for many centuries. In Europe, it was first used as decorations in churches and on many religious items until the late nineteenth century.

Nowadays paper quilling has become a hobby for people of all ages around the world. Most of the quilling materials are readily available in craft shops and online stores.

Paper quilling is easy to learn and the best thing about it is, you only need a few items to get started with this great activity. If you enjoy doing paper crafts and making your own creative handicrafts but have never done paper quilling before, why not give this craft a go? Who knows, one day you might be the best paper quilling designer in the world.

Paper Quilling Materials

The items you will need to have are :

Quilling paper

You can find strips of quilling paper in craft stores and also online from Amazon.com. They usually come in many different colours and have widths of 3mm to 5mm.

Quilling Tool

This is usually available in craft stores where you can find quilling paper. The quilling tool is used to wind the strips of paper into a coil. If you do not have a quilling tool, you can also use a toothpick, needle or a satay stick. The quilling tool can make quilling a lot easier if you are a beginner.

Craft glue

Any PVA glue or transparent glue for paper craft can be used.

Toothpick

You will need this for applying the glue onto the quilling paper.

How to make an open coil

To begin, slide one end of the quilling paper into the slit of the quilling tool and roll it around the tool to form a coil. If you are using a toothpick or satay stick, press the toothpick onto the paper until the end of the paper starts to curl up slightly. Then wrap the paper around the toothpick and roll the paper into a coil.

Release the coil and it will unwind freely. This is called an open coil.

Making a closed coil

To make a closed coil, roll a paper strip in the same way as described above. Let the coil unwind. Then using a toothpick apply a little glue at the end of the paper strip to close the coil. This is called a closed coil.

You can then use your fingers to press the closed coil into any shape you want.

To make a tight coil, apply glue without allowing the coil to unwind.

Be Creative

You will need a bit of practice before the coils turn out looking perfect. Try to make coils with different shapes and colours. When you have made enough coils, arrange them on a piece of drawing paper to form a pattern or any design you have in mind. If you are happy with the pattern and would like to show it to your family and friends or have your masterpiece framed up, apply a little glue to the coils to make them stick onto the drawing paper. Let the glue dry before displaying your quilled design.

Once you have mastered the basic techniques of paper quilling, you will have hours of creative fun producing beautiful designs and patterns.

Happy Quilling!

Additional Paper Quilling Tools

The quilling board is a useful tool for making closed coils of the same size. Other tools that are used in paper quilling are tweezers, needles and scissors.