- What is Paper Quilling?
- Tools of the Trade
- Types of paper quilling
- How to do paper quilling
What is it?
Never heard of paper quilling before? Well, don't worry; I hadn't either! According to Wikipedia, paper quilling was popular in European countries, and is becoming popular again. So, what exactly is paper quilling?
Basically, paper quilling is rolling thin strips of paper into shapes to create decorative artwork.
Paper quilling is an amazing paper art form. See for yourself!
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| Examples of paper quilling works (Note: I did not create these) |
As a beginner, I want to know more about paper quilling. I will post my own designs and helpful tips on this blog. Once I understand more about paper quilling, I will update this article accordingly.
Tools of the trade
At first I was scared that paper quilling would be difficult (just look at all the fancy schmancy tools out there!). However, all you really need
are a toothpick, glue, and paper.
With just these 3 things, I found paper quilling easy and fun. You can make advanced designs with more tools, so let's see what they are.
The most basic tools you need to get started:
1. Paper quilling strips - These 3 mm wide by 17 inches long strips can be purchased or made by you (with a paper cutter, or even a pasta maker). Depending on your designs, the strips can be many different sizes. I make my own strips by recycling old papers lying around. First I color computer paper with markers or water color paint, tape the paper together, and then cut the strips.
2. Glue - The type of glue doesn't really matter. Some people like tacky glue that dries faster. Just make sure that the glue will not wash out the colors of the paper strips.
3. Toothpick/paper quilling needle/paper quilling pen - A toothpick is great for beginners, but produces paper coils with a wide opening in the center. Use a paper quilling needle instead to make nicer looking coils. Paper quilling needles also have a slot to keep the paper strip from slipping as you roll it.
Just keep in mind that the quilling needle may crimp, or slightly fold the paper strip. If you're undecided, or you're lazy, then just use a paper quilling pen to roll the paper for you.
4.
Scissors/fringe scissors/paper shredder/paper cutter – Use these to cut paper strips with. (Or you can just buy a
pack of pre-made strips. You can buy 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm, and 10 mm strips.)
5. A
pen/the handle of a paper quilling needle - Using a wide cylinder to roll the paper will create a ring shape. You can use anything with a wider handle (old crochet hooks, highlighters, you name it!)
6. Paper quilling comb – This is like a metal comb. If you have a comb with enough space between the teeth, or duct tape a bunch of thin screwdrivers, you might not need to buy this. Either way, a paper quilling comb is necessary to create certain patterns such as leaves.
7.
Husking Board with pins - Either a corkboard or plastic with holes, and pins, that you need to
create specific paper quilling designs (like flower petals). If you buy this, the board comes with pre-marked guides to place the pins. You can also just use any board with pins and computer paper to mark the pin locations.
These tools are optional:
1. Tweezers – Use this to curl the end of the paper strips into decorative swirls.
1. Quilling coach – Similar to the sizing board, this is a flat piece of plastic. Put the quilling needle or quilling pen (not toothpick compatible) into the center of the quilling coach, and roll up the paper. Then place the coil into one of the circle shape cutouts, and the coil will expand to that size.
2.
Towers or border buddy - These plastic towers help you create
a perfectly sized outline (circle, square, triangle). I don't
personally use this, but if you create the same outlines often, this is probably a good purchase.
3. Paper crimper - Insert a paper strip in between the gears, and turn the handle. The paper strip will become crimped, or have zig zag folds, that give the paper more texture. For 3D paper quilling, this is a great way to create more complex designs.
4. Sizing board - A corkboard with shapes of various sizes (circles, squares, triangles) cut out of it. Simply place your paper coil into the shape outline to make the coil the correct size. This board helps you make consistent, precisely sized shapes, especially if you use the shapes often. I personally don't use this, as I think 2 pieces of cardstock with shapes cut out of the top layer would do the same thing.
5. Paper quilling molds – This is like the sizing board but for 3D paper quilling. By pushing the coil down on top of the mold, you can make 3D paper mounds of the correct size. While it might be easier to create mound shapes with the molds, I'm pretty sure you can do that for free with your hands too.
6. Quilling varnish - Apply this chemical to the paper strips so that their ink will not wash out. If you want to make a fancy gift, or a gift to last a long time, then you should apply this.
So in conclusion, to do paper quilling, you need paper strips, glue, something to roll the paper with, and if you want create special paper quilling patterns, you need a paper quilling comb and a board with pins.
Types of paper quilling
This is a list of paper quilling designs that I have seen or thought of (there will always be more designs out there):
1. Use an uncoiled paper strip to outline a basic shape, irregular shape, or letter/monogram. Then fill in the outline with marker/paint, paper quilled
shapes, or paper quilled swirls.
2.
Create a "negative space" outline (shapes, letters); decorate the outside of the outline with many paper quilled shapes or swirls. In this case, the center is completely blank.
3. Decorate a 2D or 3D object using many copies of the same shape. For example, place many teardrop shapes on a vase.
4. Use many, similarly sized, paper quilled squares to create paper pixel art.
5. Push paper coils outward, to create 3D paper quilling works (these can be anything, from food to Pokemon to human dolls).
6. Glue uncoiled paper strips to form an outline, without filling in the shape.
7. With the paper quilling comb, create different kinds of shapes (leaves, c-wrap, star, marquis)
8. Using the board and pins, create different kinds of shapes (flowers, flower petals)
9. Paper quill with foil strips to create earrings and other jewelry
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| Some of my paper quilling works ;) |
General Process
The basic paper quilling process is:
Roll the paper strip around the toothpick, to form a coil > glue the end of the coil to itself to secure it > exercise your creative freedom here (make loose coil, tight coils, many copies of the same coil, multi-color coils, or press the coil into different shapes like triangles or squares). Experiment with your own artistic style!
The possibilities really are limitless. If you're still not sure what to create or design, don't worry! Follow my blog for more cool paper quilling designs (not just the traditional flower decorations), with step by step tutorials.
You now know that paper quilling is rolling paper strips into various shapes to create paper artwork. Beginners simply need paper strips, a toothpick, and glue to get started, and more advanced designs can be made with paper quilling combs and pins on a board.
Common paper quilling designs include filling in outlines, using the quilling comb and pins to create leaf and flower shapes, and creating 3D quilling shapes with/without molds. Hopefully you have a much better understanding of what paper quilling is, and a newfound inspiration to create your own paper quilling designs!