Paper, often seen as a simple surface for writing or drawing, holds a hidden potential for transformation. Through the delicate art of quilling, thin strips of paper are meticulously rolled, shaped, and glued together to create intricate and surprisingly robust designs. It’s a craft with roots potentially stretching back centuries, possibly enjoyed by monks and nuns during the Renaissance to decorate religious items, mimicking ornate metalwork but using readily available paper and gilded edges. Today, quilling has evolved into a popular hobby and art form, accessible to almost anyone willing to invest a little patience and practice. It transforms humble paper strips into everything from delicate greeting card embellishments to complex three-dimensional sculptures.
The Basic Toolkit: What You Need to Start Rolling
Getting started with quilling doesn’t require a hefty investment. The essential tools are relatively simple and affordable. You’ll primarily need:
Quilling Paper: Pre-cut strips are the easiest way to begin. They come in various widths (most commonly 1/8 inch or 3mm) and a dazzling array of colours. You can cut your own strips, but consistency is key, making pre-cut packs ideal for beginners.
Slotted Quilling Tool: This is the workhorse. It features a handle with a metal tip that has a small slot running down its center. You insert the end of the paper strip into this slot to begin rolling easily and maintain control, creating tight, even coils.
Needle Tool: While the slotted tool is great for starting, it can leave a tiny crimp in the center of the coil. A needle tool (essentially a fine-pointed needle set in a handle) allows you to roll coils with a perfectly round center, preferred by many experienced quillers. It takes a bit more practice to start the roll this way.
Glue: A clear-drying liquid glue with a fine-tip applicator is essential. Standard white craft glue (like PVA) works perfectly. Precision is crucial; you only need tiny amounts to secure the end of a coil or join shapes together.
Tweezers: Fine-tipped tweezers (preferably reverse tweezers that open when squeezed) are invaluable for picking up and placing delicate quilled shapes accurately without damaging them.
Work Surface: A corkboard, foam board, or a specialized quilling work board with guides and circles can be helpful. Covering it with waxed paper prevents your work from sticking.
The Foundation: Mastering the Coil
Nearly every quilled shape begins with a rolled coil. The process is straightforward but requires a gentle touch and consistent tension.
Using a Slotted Tool: 1. Slide one end of a paper strip into the slot of the tool. 2. Hold the paper strip taut with your other hand. 3. Begin turning the tool slowly and evenly with your dominant hand, guiding the paper onto the tool with your non-dominant hand. Try to keep the edges of the paper aligned as you roll. 4. Continue rolling until the entire strip is wound around the tool tip. This forms a Tight Coil.
Using a Needle Tool: 1. Slightly dampen your fingertip and gently curl the very end of the paper strip around the needle tip. 2. Hold the paper end against the needle with your thumb and forefinger. 3. Begin rolling the needle tool, applying gentle, even pressure to keep the paper winding around itself. This requires a bit more dexterity than the slotted tool.
Once the strip is fully rolled into a tight coil using either tool, carefully slide it off. For most shapes, you won’t glue it shut immediately. Instead, you’ll place it on your work surface (or within a circle guide if using one) and allow it to relax and expand into a Loose Coil. The degree to which you let it expand determines the size of the final shape. Once it has relaxed to the desired size, carefully pick it up with tweezers, apply a tiny dot of glue to the loose end of the strip, and press it gently against the coil to secure it. Hold for a few seconds until the glue sets.
Verified Info: Quilling, also known as paper filigree, is remarkably versatile. The same basic techniques used to create simple flower petals can be scaled and combined to construct elaborate mosaics, detailed portraits, and even freestanding sculptures. Its adaptability is a key reason for its enduring appeal across different cultures and eras.
From Coils to Creations: Basic Quilling Shapes
The magic of quilling happens when you manipulate the basic loose coil. By pinching, pressing, and curving, you can create a vocabulary of shapes that form the building blocks of all quilled designs.
Fundamental Closed Shapes (Starting from a Loose Coil):
- Loose Coil: The starting point after letting a tight coil expand and gluing the end.
- Teardrop: Gently pinch one point of the loose coil firmly between your thumb and forefinger.
- Marquise (or Eye Shape): Pinch two points directly opposite each other on the loose coil.
- Square: Make a marquise, then rotate the coil 90 degrees and pinch two new points opposite each other, halfway between the first two pinches. Adjust gently to make the sides even.
- Triangle: Pinch three points equidistant around the loose coil.
- Rectangle: Create a square, then slightly flatten two opposite sides.
- Half Moon: Press your finger gently into one side of the loose coil to create an indentation, then pinch the two resulting points at either end of the curve.
- Heart: Make a teardrop shape. Then, using a needle tool or the point of your tweezers, gently push inwards at the rounded end of the teardrop to create the characteristic heart indent. Pinch the bottom point again if needed.
- Tulip: Make a marquise shape. Then, while holding the two points, press inwards between them on one side to form three points in total.
Essential Open Shapes (Not starting from a glued Loose Coil):
These shapes don’t form closed coils but use the natural curve of the paper.
- V-Scroll: Fold a paper strip in half. Roll each end outwards away from the center crease.
- S-Scroll: Roll one end of the strip inwards towards the center for a few turns. Then, flip the strip over and roll the other end inwards towards the center.
- C-Scroll: Roll both ends of the paper strip inwards towards the center, meeting in the middle.
- Heart Scroll (or Open Heart): Fold a strip in half. Roll both ends inwards towards the center crease.
Mastering these basic shapes is the key to unlocking complex designs. Practice making them consistent in size and shape.
Exploring More Advanced Quilling Techniques
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can explore techniques that add texture, dimension, and complexity to your work.
Crimping
A crimper tool features two interlocking gears. When you feed a quilling strip through it, the paper emerges with a fine, corrugated texture. Crimped paper adds visual interest and dimension when rolled into coils or used as straight elements. A crimped loose coil looks significantly different from a smooth one.
Husking (or Outlining)
This technique uses pins arranged in a pattern on a corkboard. You wrap the quilling strip around the outside of the pins, dabbing glue at points where the paper overlaps itself. This creates beautiful, open, outlined shapes rather than solid coils. It’s excellent for delicate leaves and wing patterns.
Combing
A quilling comb (or even a fine-toothed hair comb) can be used to create repeated loops. You wrap the paper strip around the teeth of the comb, applying glue at the base of each loop. This results in feathery, fringed elements, often used for flower centers or creating soft textures.
Multi-Strip Coils
For larger elements or colour variations within a single coil, you can glue multiple strips end-to-end before rolling. You can create graduated colours or simply make much larger coils than a single strip would allow.
Three-Dimensional (3D) Quilling
This moves beyond flat designs. You can create 3D shapes by making domed coils (pushing the center out of a loose coil and applying glue inside to hold the shape) and stacking or joining them. Techniques like beehive quilling involve creating tight coils and then extruding them into cone or dome shapes. This allows for the creation of figurines, boxes, and miniature sculptures.
On-Edge Quilling (or Edge Quilling)
Instead of rolling the paper, this technique involves gluing the strips onto a background surface on their thin edge. This is often used for creating typography, bold outlines, or mosaic-style pictures where the edges of the paper form the lines of the design.
Assembling Your Quilled Art
Creating a finished piece involves arranging and gluing your collection of shaped coils and scrolls onto a background surface (like cardstock) or joining them together to form a freestanding object. Precision gluing is paramount. Apply tiny dots of glue to the points where shapes touch each other or where they contact the background. Use tweezers for accurate placement. Plan your design beforehand, perhaps sketching it lightly on your background paper. Start by placing the main elements and then fill in the details. Allow the glue to dry completely before handling or framing your artwork.
Tips for Success
Consistency is Key: Try to maintain even tension when rolling and be consistent when pinching shapes. This leads to a more professional finish.
Less is More with Glue: Too much glue can warp the paper or leave shiny spots. Use the smallest amount necessary, applied with a fine tip or even a toothpick.
Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t be discouraged if your first shapes aren’t perfect. Make batches of basic shapes – teardrops, marquises, loose coils – just for practice.
Experiment with Colour: Play with colour combinations. Quilling offers fantastic possibilities for blending and contrasting hues.
Explore Different Paper Widths: While 1/8 inch is standard, wider strips (1/4 inch or more) create bolder, chunkier elements, while narrower strips allow for finer detail.
Important Note: While quilling is generally safe, be mindful when using craft knives or paper cutters if cutting your own strips. Needle tools and tweezers can also be sharp. Always handle tools with care and supervise children closely if they are participating in the craft.
Quilling is more than just rolling paper; it’s a meditative process that transforms simple materials into stunning works of art. From elegant greeting cards and jewellery to intricate pictures and sculptures, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. The low barrier to entry and the satisfying results make it a wonderful craft to explore. So grab some paper strips, a quilling tool, and start rolling – you might just surprise yourself with the beautiful forms you can create.
