Quilling, or the art of paper twirling, is a fun way to make unique greeting cards, invitations, scrapbook pages and other decorative items.
Supplies can be found in most craft, hobby and art supply stores for a minimal cost.
All you need is a quilling tool – a needle-like tool with a slotted end – and some precut paper quilling strips. You’ll also need a piece of paper on which to glue the coils and other shapes.
The procedure is simple: Insert the end of a paper strip into the slotted end of the quilling tool and twirl into a coil.
Shapes are made by loosening and tightening the coils and forming the sides. When desired shapes are formed, glue the end of the quilling strip to secure, and glue onto your base paper.
We made the cards shown in our photo illustration by using a variety of shapes and coil sizes combined to form flowers and dogs.
Instruction books and kits are available with the other quilling supplies and are a good way to learn the basics.
We found an excellent beginning kit – complete with tool, paper strips, instruction book and glue – at Ben Franklin in Monroe for just under $15.
Although geared toward children, we found the kit to be a helpful resource for learning basic quilling techniques, and it contained simple instructions for making animals, flowers, vegetables, insects and decorative adornments of all kinds.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
