Paper Quilling Instructions

These paper quilling instructions will help you get started on the amazing art of paper quilling.

I)All you need is a paper quilling tool.It has a slootted needle.

II)Paper qilling strips: These are long and thin paper strips

III)Glue

Method:

Take a strip of quilling paper .
I would advise you to begin with the slotted quilling tool that is normally provided in a quilling starter kit. Later you may want to move on to using a needle tool or toothpick.

Now take your piece of paper and gently put the end into the slot in the tool. Make sure that only the tiniest bit of paper protrudes through to the other side of the slot. Then, holding the tool in your dominant hand and the paper between your other thumb and index finger, slowly turn the quilling tool so that the paper winds evenly around the tip. Try to keep the edges of the paper lined up

Keep rolling on till you get the desired size.Then let go and turn the tool upside down, allowing the quilled coil to fall off onto the table. The paper will begin to uncoil a little, don't panic, it is supposed to do that. Leave it to "relax" a little and then when it stops uncoiling use a toothpick with a tiny dot of tacky glue on the end to stick the end of the paper in place.

Hold the paper together for a moment or two until the glue dries.
Practice a few times to get perfection

Shaping your coils

You will squeeze and manipulate round coils into different shapes to build up your picture. I will explain them in detail as required in the project....

You can learn these fun quilling patterns

Qulling pendant

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how was paper qulling discovered?

Quilling or paper filigree is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs. The paper is wound around a quill to create a basic coil shape. The paper is then glued at the tip and these shaped coils are arranged to form flowers, leaves, and various ornamental patterns similar to ironwork.

During the Renaissance, French and Italian nuns and monks used quilling to decorate book covers and religious items. The paper most commonly used was strips of paper trimmed from the  edges of books. These gilded paper strips were then rolled to create the quilled shapes. Quilling often imitated the original  of the day.

In the 18th century, quilling became popular in Europe where gentle ladies of quality practiced the art. It was one of the few things ladies could do that was thought not too taxing for their minds or gentle dispositions. Quilling also spread to the Americas and there are a few examples from Colonial times.

Many quilled art works can be found on cabinets and stands, cribbage boards, ladies' purses, a wide range of both pictures and frames, work baskets, tea caddies, coats of arms and wine coasters. Storage boxes, larger than most jewelry boxes with drawers and/or tops that opened, quilled lock boxes, and much more. Some items were specially designed for quilling with recessed surfaces. Quilling was also combined or married with other techniques such as embroidery and painting.

The craft has gone through many transformations and changes through the ages using new techniques, styles and materials. Dimensional quilling creates 3D items.

Today, quilling is seeing a resurgence in popularity with quillers  on every continent and in every walk of life. No longer confined to the "upper classes", this is a peoples art form and the beauty of the art is always expanding. The craft has become increasingly popular due to the low cost of the material. It is used to decorate wedding invitations, birth announcements, greeting cards, scrapbook pages, and boxes. Quilling can be found in art galleries in Europe and in the United States and is an art that is practiced around the world.