The art of quilling
An online search will demonstrate that this ancient paper-craft is a most popular technique still today. It is documented that the art of quilling evolved from as far back as the 15th Century, when papyrus was torn into strips and rolled around a bird's quill. During the 17th Century, monks would use quilling with added gilding, to embellish religious panels to replicate gold filigree work.
This art is often used by ardent card-making enthusiasts to embellish cards in a truly unique and ornate style. If you're thinking to try your own hand at quilling for the first time, know that with a little practice, you will find it a most enjoyable and functional paper-craft to add to other card-enhancing elements. Quilling displays a wonderful 3-d dimension, created by curling thin strips of quilling paper around the quilling tool.
There are differing quilling tools available; the white one being suited only for “open scrolls”. The red-handled tool has a fine needle, and is used for well-formed and “closed coils”.
You may have seen the result of a quiller's artwork of more recent times. It appears delicate and intricate, but it is a craft that is easily learnt. Quilling is probably most often admired on cards with a colorful and realistic floral theme. You can though, create many different themes such as birds and insects; Christmas decorations, a group of candles surrounded by holly perhaps; flourishes and scrolls; frogs, rabbits and ducks for children too. Pretty much anything.
Items decorated with quilling may appear delicate, but are in fact, very stable. Quilling will travel through the postal system easily just by adding a couple of layers of bubble-wrap to protect.
What is needed to start quillng?
*Quilling Tool
*Quilling Papers 1/8th inch (standard)
*Ruler
*P.V.A. glue
*Toothpick (to apply glue)
*Lid from jar (to hold small quantity of glue to work with)
*Tweezers: long-nosed type (to pick up quilled shapes)
*Scissors *Kebab stick or skewer; for spirals
Let's make a "sampler" with the basic shapes that will be used most often. This will become a ready-reference chart for any design. This excellent Quilling Corner website (Parchcraft Aust) will assist too.
Notes:
For the first six basic shapes following, because they are considered as "closed shapes" i.e. glued down, tear the end instead of cutting with scissors. This will make for a really neat finish.
You will make each shape with a 4 inch (10 cm), length of quilling paper.
Holding your quilling tool in a horizontal fashion, slip the end of the quilling paper into the eye of the tool. Turn the tool towards you when rolling the papers.
Use glue sparingly.
1. Tight Roll: Roll paper strip firmly to its end. While still on tool, glue end down firmly before easing off.
2. Loose Roll: Roll to end of paper with an even, relaxed tension. Release roll and turn tool down (vertically), to allow coil to slip onto table. It will slowly open up some. Glue end.
3. Teardrop: Complete a "loose roll" and then pinch where you joined the paper.
4. Eye: Same as teardrop; but pinch both ends to a point
5. Leaf: Same as Eye, but curve shape by pinching each end in opposite directions i.e. one up and the other down.
6. Square: Complete Eye shape and then pinch into sides to create a square.
The next seven (7) shapes are referred to as Scroll shapes because of their open nature. No glue is required. Use your scissors and cut each end of your quilling papers for a neat finish.
1. Open Scroll: Roll just one end of the paper, leaving approx length unwound.
2. C-Scroll: Roll from each end of paper towards the middle, forming two coils together.
3. S- Shape: Roll one coil to the middle. Turn paper over and roll other end to the middle also.
4. V-Shape: Fold paper strip in half. Roll a coil (facing outwards), at each end.
5. Heart Shape: Fold paper strip in half. Roll a coil (facing inwards), at each end.
6. Spiral: For any length paper. Using a kebab stick or skewer; roll the paper strip around and at an angle at the same time.
7. Bell Shape: Glue together two 12 inch (30cm) strips of quilling paper. With the 24 inch (60 cm) length of paper, complete a Tight Roll. With end of pencil or similar, gently push into centre to create a bell shape. Add glue inside shape to hold.
Apart from cards; create very special gift- tags with quilling, or decorate the lids of tiny gift-boxes. This hand-crafted paper decoration will add yet another element of surprise for each recipient.