Paper Quilling – Easy & fun Hobby to learn

PAPER QUILLING – EASY AND FUN HOBBY TO LEARN

Hi everyone!! This article is dedicated to Jomol . πŸ™‚ I recently got in touch with new friends from IMBB on FB…. jomol browsed through my pictures I put up on FB and asked me to write an article for paper quilling – at least about basics of paper quilling methods and materials. πŸ™‚

paper quilling
So here I go – I am no expert at paper quilling but I came across this hobby when I saw beautiful paper quilling work by a lady at β€œhobby ideas” store at Inorbit Mall in malad. The quilled card she made looked like a delicate fine lined drawing. She had made such beautiful cards and paper bags using simple materials that it inspired me instantly to try a hand at this.
According to Wikipedia, Quilling is the art of creating decorative designs from thin strips of curled paper. This age-old art of paper quilling has been around since Renaissance which dates back to about 3 to 4 centuries during the time when the nuns used small edges trimmed from the Bible pages to create simple but beautiful form of artistry.

The be best thing about this art is that it doesn’t require using hi-fi complex tools; long strips of paper are tightly wound and released to form complicated and complex shapes.
Because of how the scrapped of paper were wrapped around goose quilles to create “coiled shapes”, it was later known as “Quilling”.

The basics:
In this article I will give you idea about getting started with paper quilling. Your first investment, I should say inexpensive investment will be paper quilling strips and paper quilling tool (this one is optional – I don’t have a tool). This hobby is not at all expensive since most of the other things you will require will be already present at your place – this includes bottle of glue ( fevicol works the best), toothpicks to apply the glue etc.

Now the basic and important thing you need to buy is paper quilling strips – these you’ll get in any stationary store. I got mine from a huge stationary store called ANUPAM in Mumbai. You get these in β€œhobby idea” stores also but I found prices at Anupam stores quite cheap. I would suggest you invest in a multi-colored pack, it will give you array of colours to experiment with. It has enough quilling strips to last for quite a long time. I got one last year for 70 rupees and I have still not finished it yet. Also one more thing, quilling strips are available in a variety of widths, I have started with the basic 3mm width strip that is available, you should experiment to see what suits your creativity best. πŸ™‚Β  Quilling paper comes in over 250 colors and they come in variety of types such as – solid colors, graduated, two-tone, acid free, and more.

Acid-free quilling paper completely free of any acid, which makes it great for scrap booking, rubber stamping, and creating frames for pictures. I have not seen this paper in Mumbai so far..

Graduated quilling paper has a solid, concrete color on the edges, but will gradually fade to white, or visa versa. This one is available here.

Two-tone quilling paper has a solid color on one side and a comparatively lighter solid color on the other side. This one also I have seen them here.
Here is the pic of quilling strips I got from anupam store –

paper quilling

paper quilling

Next thing you ll need is – quilling tool – a metal instrument with a tiny slit in one end. It is used to guide the strip and coil it. I don’t have a quilling tool, I simply use a metal paper pin and coil the strip around it ☺. If you buy a paper quilling kits that are available in the market, it will have the tool along with quilling strips.

paper quilling

Another optional tool is the quilling boards- I don’t personally find it to be that important to buy – at least for beginners like me – if you thinking to do quilling professionally then you may require one of these to create coils. Made from cork or firm foam it usually has a template attached to the top in which there are holes of different sizes. As you make your coils you can drop them into the holes which helps them open out to just the right size.

 

paper quilling

 

Quilling fringer –

paper quilling
This is used to create fringed flower. Again I don’t have this tool. This tool helps you to use sharp pointed scissors to cut the quilling paper but a quicker way, if you are intending to make lots of them. You pass the paper through this and it comes out the other end evenly cut and ready to roll. I prefer wasting my time by manually cutting the strip very finely and making a fringed flower. πŸ™‚

Creating a basic curl:
Cut a piece of strip – few inches long and then holding the quilling tool (metal paper pin in my case)in your right hand ( left for lefties) – insert one end of the strip into the slit. If you using metal paper pin like me , just place the pin on the end of the strip and roll it along with the strip to curl the strip tightly around the pin. ☺ After you insert the paper into the slit of the quillin tool – turn the tool clockwise gently guiding the paper strip.

paper quilling

paper quilling

After you are done with the paper curl, release it from the tool/ metal paper pin. Then you can let it expand as much or as little as you want – shape it by pinching or pressing it with your fingers and when you’re happy with your result – carefully dab a glue to the loose end of the paper strip and stick it to hold shape. Hold the paper together for a moment or two until the glue dries.

paper quilling

To gain confidence, begin by experimenting with the basic shape. You can combine individual shapes to form an endless variety of flowers, snowflakes, butterflies, birds, and abstract art. When you’re satisfied with the design, glue the shapes together.

Here are pics of my creations – –
First two are the envelopes I made .. it was the very first thing I made. πŸ™‚

paper quilling

paper quilling

This one I made for my bf for valentine’s day πŸ™‚

paper quilling

This one I and my friend made πŸ™‚

paper quilling

This much is enough for now – next article I can teach you to create a variety of shapes . πŸ™‚ let me know what you wish to learn. πŸ™‚

IMBB RECOMMENDS

82 thoughts on “Paper Quilling – Easy & fun Hobby to learn

  1. Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww…sooo pretty rids!! I remember we were taught all these and other paper art in our SUPW classes :toothygrin: :toothygrin: :toothygrin: :toothygrin: :toothygrin: :toothygrin: !! But, I’ve forgotten all now!! πŸ˜› πŸ˜›

    1. SUPW – not heard that word in so long…our SUPWs were embroidery and embroidery and more embroidery…would have loved it though but then the lady shifted to stitching skirts and stuff and I kind of lost interest 😐

      1. khikhikhi…we were even taught horticulture in that!! πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ :D….Rajasthan ke winters mein it was heaven….working on plants in hot sun outside!! πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€

      1. 😐 😐 😐 not phunnnneeee at all…that thing is evil!!!!!!!!! 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐

  2. Rids…………… :jaiho: :jaiho: :jaiho: :jaiho: :jaiho: :jaiho: :jaiho: :jaiho: :jaiho: :jaiho: I was waiting so eagerly for this article of yours…..I lovvvvvvvvvved it…..can anyone help me with finding this paper quills in hyderabad………..anywhere i can find this and the tools in hyderabad, please tell me, and Rids, I am waiting for your next article…………. :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :fingerscrossed: :fingerscrossed: :fingerscrossed: :fingerscrossed:

    1. Jomol, there is a shop opp to China Bazar in General Bazar Sec-bad which sells all craft material, you could check there OR Ramkote has shops like Jagadamba which sell craft material, hope this helps :yes:

      1. Thank you so much Uzma….I will definiately go to the china bazaar in General Bazaar and pick up the things…….I am so happy I have my own justdial in Uzma :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance:

  3. I loooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvved it Rids…………..I want to do quillling now…..Rids inspired me…………. :toothygrin: :toothygrin: :toothygrin: :toothygrin:

  4. Rids……….thanks for the dedication…………I am really glad and happy you considered my request :shy: :shy: :shy: :shy: :shy: :shy: :shy: :shy:

  5. rids :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: awesome work !!! :waytogo: :waytogo:

    now i will also pull out my quilling kit n start some work :toothygrin:

  6. I took the chicken’s consent beforehand and her last wish was to be made fat-free by getting fried in the microwave for at least 15 minutes and less of garam masala and green chillies and no black pepper because she was allergic to it……..and I agreed O:) O:) O:) O:) O:)

  7. WoooooooooooooW………superb article rids! :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: i am def gonna try this out….. :jiggy1: :jiggy1: :jiggy1: and your creations are aweeeeeeeesomeeeeeeee!!! :inlove: :inlove: :inlove: :jaiho: :jaiho: :jaiho:

  8. Wow rids…that was beautiful……….i am surely going to try this…and waiting for ur next article…. :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks:

  9. Good Morning eyeryone :coffee:.

    Rads @ you have made my day with this wonderful post… and they is some very very beautiful work… pls enroll me in your class.. I will be the first to come & you will be thowing me out coz i will never want to leave :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: … yes yes yes I want to learn the different shapes :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

  10. hey Rids, i have this hobby too…. :handshake: :handshake: :handshake:
    in fact this year, i made my bf a quilling card on V day. :joker: :joker:
    nice article. :yes: :yes:

  11. We were also taught quiling in school :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot:
    I want to do it again now,will definitely get the quilling paper when i got to the market next time :toothygrin: :toothygrin: :toothygrin: :toothygrin: :toothygrin:

  12. :waytogo: :waytogo: :waytogo: :waytogo: :waytogo: :waytogo: :waytogo:
    I love this article!! Bookmarked :thanks: :thanks: :thanks:

  13. Rids I have become a great fan of your dear.
    can you hear a heavy applause
    :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
    commom IMBB lets put our hands together for Rids..

    rati we are looking more of these creative articles too

  14. I’m eagerly waiting for ur further posts on Paper Quilling..It was really inspiring :bravo: ..I’m gonna try this very soooooooonnn :happydance: :happydance: :happydance:

  15. :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

  16. wow rids.. u r soo creative :bravo: :bravo: :bravo: :clap: :clap: .. i luved everything u made n the best being the valentine heart :inlove: :inlove: :heart: .. i wanna learn this so tht i can also utilize my freee time at home being sooo,nhi a lil,creative :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: …how u mad those leaves n alll… i’m waiting for ur other post now.. :waiting: :waiting:

  17. @ everyone – – THNK YOU EVERYONE … M SO GLAD THAT U APPRECIATED MY WORK !!! YOU PEOPLE MADE MY DAY !!

    I WILL DEFINITELY POST MORE ABT QUILLING !!

  18. Rids…………..amazingggggggggg
    You are going to teach me…. :toothygrin: :toothygrin:
    Mane ke kyare free che?? Hu aavish taara paase quilling sheekhva :yahoo:
    Loved everything u made :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

    1. thnks jinal !!! :toothygrin: :toothygrin: :toothygrin:
      aray tu ke … tane kyare sikhvu che … ll definatelyy teach ya .. πŸ™‚

      1. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: thank youuuuuuuuu
        u such a sweetheart…..hu tane kaish pachi we’ll meet and go shopping and u also teach me :jiggy1:

  19. am amazeddddddddddddddddddd
    woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot:

  20. these are beautiful Rids! and the colors and the flowers and the HEART is soooooooooo pretty πŸ™‚ Awesome hobby! i’ll try my hand at it for sure πŸ™‚

  21. wow…lovely….would definitely love more on this topic πŸ™‚ I did used to do origami but its been a long time since I have left it…..would love to learn something new again πŸ™‚

  22. hey liked ur wrk very much n d way u have xplained it i liked it a lot good job waiting for ur other forms of designs in quilling :thanks:

  23. I must say ur simply gr88888888…loved the way u explained it so well
    Just yest i bought a set of quilling instruments n stripes, there
    are 2 things in the set 1 is twizzer like thing n the other is the type u
    showed in the 2nd pik but I dont know how to go about that thing
    Do I have to unscrew it to hold the stripe tight?

  24. This is the most amazing hobby ideas article I have read. U r really talented and what a fresh and modern art. Will try it out too!!
    Goes good as gifts and cards and virtually everything.

  25. thanks. i got very good suggestions and ideas. can i know whether i can get quilling books in market which will give basic knowledge and good ides……….. for making greeting cards. its only my hobby

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