A beginner's guide to the art of quilling
What's the story
Quilling is an art where you use paper strips to create intricate designs. This craft has existed for centuries and is known for its delicate and detailed patterns. By rolling, shaping and gluing paper strips together, artists can create a wide range of decorative items. Quilling is beginner-friendly since it requires simple materials and techniques, but offers endless possibilities of creativity and complexity.
Essential tools
Basic tools needed for quilling
To start quilling, you need a few basic tools. A slotted quilling tool or needle tool helps in rolling the paper strips. Scissors are essential for cutting the strips to desired lengths. Tweezers assist in handling small pieces with precision. Glue is used to secure the shapes together, while a ruler ensures accurate measurements. These tools are affordable and widely available at craft stores.
Paper varieties
Types of paper used in quilling
The choice of paper makes a big difference to your quilled designs. Regular quilling paper is available in various widths from three millimeters to 10 millimeters. The thickness too can vary; thinner papers are easier to roll but may not retain the shape as well as thicker ones. Colored papers bring vibrance, while metallic or textured papers create special effects.
Shape formation
Techniques for creating shapes
Quilling is all about techniques to create various shapes such as coils, teardrops, and scrolls. Coils are created by rolling a strip tightly around a tool, before letting it slack a bit into a spiral shape. Teardrops are pinched on one end of a coil into a point, while keeping the other side rounded. Scrolls are curled parts without gluing them.
Beginner tips
Tips for beginners in quilling
If you're new to quilling, start with simple projects to build your confidence. Your skill will improve over time with practice and experimentation with various shapes and patterns. Before you move on to complex designs such as flowers or animals, which need a lot more precision, patience, and attention to detail, make sure you've successfully completed a project without frustration or mistakes along the way.