Paper quilling is the art of rolling and shaping strips of paper into intricate designs. Also known as paper filigree, this craft has a history stretching back to Renaissance-era Europe, where nuns and monks used it to decorate religious objects. Today it is enjoying a huge revival as a modern art form with an astonishing range of creative possibilities, from greeting cards to wall art to jewellery.
What Makes Quilling Special?
The appeal of paper quilling lies in its accessibility. You need minimal equipment, the materials are inexpensive, and the basic technique takes only minutes to learn. Yet the results can be extraordinarily detailed and impressive. A skilled quilter can create photorealistic portraits, elaborate botanical illustrations, and three-dimensional sculptures using nothing more than paper and glue.
Essential Quilling Tools and Materials
- Quilling paper strips: Available in pre-cut widths of 3mm, 5mm, 7mm, and 10mm. A starter pack usually includes multiple colours. Standard length is 55cm.
- Quilling tool: A slotted quilling tool (a handle with a slot at the tip) is easiest for beginners. A needle tool gives tighter coils for more experienced crafters.
- Quilling board or cork board: A foam board with measurement circles helps you make consistent coil sizes. Very useful but not essential.
- White craft glue or PVA glue: Apply with a fine-tip applicator bottle for precision.
- Tweezers: Fine-tip tweezers for placing small pieces accurately.
- Scissors
- Toothpicks: For applying tiny drops of glue.
Basic Quilling Shapes
All quilling designs are built from a handful of fundamental shapes. Master these and you can create almost anything.
- Tight coil: Roll a strip tightly and glue the end without releasing. Forms a solid disc.
- Loose coil: Roll a strip, release it to expand, then glue the end. Forms an open, airy circle.
- Teardrop: Make a loose coil, then pinch one side to a point.
- Marquise (eye shape): Make a loose coil, then pinch both sides to points.
- Square: Make a loose coil, pinch four sides at equal intervals.
- Triangle: Make a loose coil, pinch three sides.
- Scroll: Roll one end of a strip without gluing. The strip curls loosely at one end.
How to Roll a Basic Coil
- Insert one end of a paper strip into the slot of your quilling tool.
- Hold the tool in one hand and guide the strip with your other hand, keeping light tension as you roll.
- Roll the strip tightly around the tool, keeping each revolution even.
- When you reach the end of the strip, carefully slide the coil off the tool.
- For a tight coil: immediately apply a tiny drop of glue to the loose end and press it against the coil.
- For a loose coil: allow the coil to expand to your desired size before gluing the end.
Your First Project: A Quilled Flower Card
A simple flower greeting card is the perfect first quilling project. You will need about 8 to 10 paper strips in two or three colours.
- Centre: Make one tight coil from a yellow or orange strip. This is your flower centre.
- Petals: Make 6 to 8 teardrop shapes from a pink or red strip. Aim for all petals the same size.
- Leaves: Make 3 to 4 marquise shapes from a green strip.
- Assembly: Apply a small dot of glue to the centre of a card. Place the tight coil on it. Arrange the teardrop petals around the centre, gluing each one individually. Tuck the leaves between petals.
- Allow to dry flat for at least 30 minutes before moving.
Tips for Better Results
- Use consistent tension when rolling. Inconsistent pressure creates uneven coils.
- Cut strips cleanly. Ragged cuts show in the finished piece.
- Less glue is more. Excess glue can warp the paper and show through the design.
- Work on a non-stick surface (silicone mat or wax paper) to prevent pieces sticking to your workspace.
- Use a quilling board for consistent coil sizes when making a design with many identical shapes.
Beyond the Basics
Once you are comfortable with the fundamental shapes, explore these advanced techniques:
- 3D quilling: Dome shapes and sculptural forms created by moulding quilled coils over curved surfaces.
- Husking: Wrapping strips around pins in a pattern to create elongated teardrop and feather shapes.
- Beehive quilling: Stacking coils on top of each other to create raised, textured surfaces.
- Origami quilling: Combining quilling shapes with folded paper elements. See our Origami guide for folding techniques.
Paper quilling pairs beautifully with other paper crafts. Visit our full Paper Crafts category to discover more projects using card, tissue paper, and origami.
