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Introduction to Paper Quilling

March 14, 2011 By jaquilli Leave a Comment

Article by Tong Lin

Paper quilling is the art of rolling, shaping, gluing and decorating strips of paper. This craft is also called paper filigree or simply quilling. You do need a tool called a quill to create the basic coiled shape to the paper. You then glue the paper at the top and shape the coils to form various designs, such as flowers, leaves and other different decorative designs.

This decorative method of using paper dates back to the Renaissance, when nuns used the coiled paper designs to decorate book covers, bookmarks and religious items. At this time the most commonly used type of paper was the gilded edges of the pages of books. The nuns coiled the small strips of these gilded edges to try to imitate the iron latticework of the time period. It was an art practiced by ladies in the 18th century and was one of the techniques that young girls of wealthy households were required to learn as part of their studies. The colonists brought the art with them when they emigrated to America. Most of the quilled paper designs that have been preserved are of religious artwork.

The art of quilling did die out for a time, but has recently become a very popular craft. This is because of the low cost of the paper supplies needed to make different designs to decorate invitations and boxes and especially pages of scrapbooks, with the increased interest in scrapbooking.

The tools you need to get started in quilling are very basic – strips of paper, something to wind the strips around and glue. The strips of paper can be cut in widths of 1/8 inch to I inch, but most people use 1/8 inch strips. You can choose the paper in whatever weight you want, but the standard is construction paper, which comes in a variety of colors. The winding tool can be a toothpick or a needle, but you can also visit a craft store to buy a specially designed quill.

Other tools that you need include sharp scissors for cutting the paper and a ruler to ensure that you cut all the strips the same size. You can cover a piece of corrugated cardboard with wax paper, rather than use the top of the table, This will keep the glue from getting onto the table. You should also have a damp cloth close at hand for wiping the glue off your fingers.

Some of the simple designs you can start out with include:
- A V-shape design which involves folding the strip of paper in half and rolling the ends of the outside of the paper around the quill. You have to roll the paper away from the inner crease.
- Feelers involve rolling only part of the strip of paper. You leave the rest of the strip straight. You can make this design by folding the strip in half or by using an infolded strip.
- Coiling the paper either loosely or very tightly around the quill can make a peacock eye. You can form a petal in the same way by bending the pinched part ot one side.

About the Author

For more information on paper filigree<a> related articles visit http://www.MyPaperQuilling.com

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Amazing Craft For Making Paper Sculpture

March 14, 2011 By jaquilli 1 Comment

Article by Jeff A Hardy

Inexpensive item like paper can be used to make amazing paper sculpture that are unbelievably fine. There are many such paper crafts that make it possible. One of them is Quilling which, although, is a centuries old craft but somehow got extinct. However, this art of paper quilling has again become popular, thanks to the creativity of the people of our times.

What is Quilling?

Quilling is the art of combining narrow strips of paper into beautiful arrangements. It is the art of rolling, shaping, gluing and decorating strips of paper. It is also known as paper filigree or paper quilling. The important fact is that it can be done with very simple tools.

Tools Needed for Quilling

Some basic tools needed for quilling are paper, glue, tweezers and scissors.

Stripes of Paper: Quilling papers can be found at any arts and crafts store or you can cut your own at the initial stages from scrap paper just to make your hands habitual with quilling! The ready made quilling paper comes in narrow i.e. 1/16 inch, standard i.e. 1/8 inch, wide i.e. ¼ inch and extra wide i.e. ½ inch. The length of these strips range from 17 to 25 inches. You can find a variety of colors including metallic, two toned and graduated tones. However, ideal paper is the one that rolls easily and smoothly, and holds its shape well when released.
Glue: The glue should be white craft glue that dries clear. A small glue bottle with a nozzle makes it easy to apply the glue exactly where you want. While working, keep the bottle upside down in a small jar with a scrap of wet paper towel in the bottom.
Tweezers: Eyebrow tweezers work well to hold paper strips. However, you can even get tweezers with narrow point, as fine as possible, without any ridged surface that could crumple the paper. They can be found at any good crafts store.
Sharp Scissors: required for trimming ends of strips, fringing flowers etc.
A Flat Surface: to work on, preferably plastic or something similar.

You can even get a quilling tool which is a long needle with a slot in the end. This needle is set into a handle. The paper is inserted in the slot, pulled to its end, and the tool is rotated in the hand while the other hand gently guides the paper until all is wound around the needle. The paper is slipped off the tool, either before or after adding a dab of glue to the end. Many shapes thus created are then combined to form a design. Afterwards, as you are comfortable with the art, you can use a needle tool. The larger the handle on the tool, the less strain and stress on the hand.

How to do quilling?

In the beginning, you can start making some of the simple designs. A V-shape design involves folding the strip of paper in half and rolling the ends of the outside of the paper around the quill. You have to roll the paper away from the inner crease. Feelers involve rolling only part of the strip of paper. You leave the rest of the strip straight. You can make this design by folding the strip in half or by using an in-folded strip. Coiling the paper loosely or very tightly around the quill will make a peacock eye. A petal can be made in the same way by bending the pinched part to one side. Follow the paper quilling instructions to make fabulous paper sculptures!

About the Author

For more information about paper sculpture making tools like scissors, paper, glue, tweezers etc.

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Quilling Hints And Tips

March 14, 2011 By jaquilli 2 Comments

Article by Teresa Leys

Here, we are going to learn some important tips that will help us understand the concept of quilling at a far deeper level. By following these vital tips, we can use the concept of quilling with great expertise and efficiency.

To avoid the problem of different sizes with same measurement materials, ensure to pick spirals of equal dimensions. Make sure the coils are the same size before you glue them. Moreover, do not forget to apply glue on them afterwards.

If you are new to the quilling world, to gather any additional information select a standard art magazine or go to a recognized art shop.

Do not get confused regarding the quilling paper dimensions. Go for the standard dimension. In case of a spiral, it is 3 mm (1/6″) and in case of fringed flowers, it is 7 mm / 10 mm (3/8″)

Try to avoid using rice or handmade paper for quilling due to their extreme thickness. Making a spiral out of them is quite tough.

To increase the strength of the finished product, put a light layer of proper varnish onto it. Otherwise, adequately gluing is enough to have a firm grip over it.

In case of fringed flowers, choose a wider paper of 10mm and trim it appropriately on the one side of the quilling with the help of scissors. It is also available readymade on the market.

To make 3-Dimensional designs, begin by making the shapes and gluing them to each other on a Quilling mat (a cork mat covered with polythene or baking parchment is quite adequate). Using a quilling needle carefully separate the item from the mat. It will now be free-standing and the glue should make it quite firm. However, a light coat of Craft varnish will strengthen it further.

In order to quill a basket with beautiful flowers, create the figure and paste the glue onto them collectively on a single mat. To make it free standing, take it apart from the mat using a quilling needle.

Have a strong grasp over the strip of the paper to achieve equal tightness in all pieces. Avoid putting too much pressure, resulting into excessively tight spirals. Try to hold the strip being quilled firmly, without stretching too much as this will result in too tight coils.

Use a standard glue for affixing purposes. Craft PVA is the commonly preferred glue. Zig 2-way and Sailor are specialist types of glue. Some quillers think they work better because they are thinner and they dry faster. In my discussions with other quillers, no one could agree on which was best glue to use, but the most popular was PVA glue which is readily available from most craft shops worldwide. Always use glue sparingly.

You do not have to purchase expensive fringed paper from the market. Whenever possible you can use the scissors to cut the paper strip.

To quill jewelry items, such as earrings or necklaces, use the quilled objects like butterflies, animals, and flowers and attach them to pins.

If you are new to the quilling world, start with some easy techniques, like flowers for a gift tag.

To make folded flowers, use either tailor-made, fringed flower paper or the use scissors resourcefully.

You have the option of shredding the quilling paper to curtail its length.

When using ultra-fine metal glue tips, the best way to clean them is to soak them in extra-strong nail polish remover. This is much more effective than hot soapy water. Organic solvents work every time.

When pushing out grape rolls, I found it easier pulling it inward than pushing it out.

How to make loose coils uniform and the same size? Loose coils will get more uniform in size with practice. Try maintaining the tension. However no two coils will ever be exactly the same, very much like in petals on a flower.

You can make your own quilling board using some cardboard and some washers. Look for washers that are the size as what you want then glue them to a piece of cardboard.

What kind of paper is best used scrapbooks? (Cardstock, or regular weight quilling paper). Cardstock paper holds up very well, but I’d at least try regular quilling paper as it is very strong. Some people use “dots” or “pegs” on their pages to hold the pages up off of the quilling.

The best method for applying glue is to use an ultra fine glue applicator. Only use tiny drops of glue. A small glass with a wet sponge placed in the bottom will keep the bottle free flowing and stop the tip from drying up. Place the bottle upside down with the tip touching the sponge.

To put the strip into proper frame, place a light layer of craft varnish onto it.

For making a 3D design, create various shapes and affix them together with glue. This must be done on a special quilling mat. After that, carefully separate the pieces from the mat with a quilling needle.

To safeguard your finished object, place a light varnish onto it.

Do not forget to store the quilling strips in a constricted style or in a polythene bag. Store the small strips and miscellaneous items in a craft box with various compartments. Long strips can be loosely “knotted” and stored in small polythene bags. Short strips and odds and ends are best stored in a craft box with compartments.

About the Author

For a step by step guide on how to do anything and everything with quilling how to, please visit Teresa Leys website http://www.quillingsuccess.com

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