What is Quilling?
Quilling is the art of rolling narrow strips of paper into circles, shaping them, and putting them together to make a variety of artwork.
Quilling paper comes in 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 inch widths and varies in length according to how big the finished circle should be. 1/16 and 1/8 are used most commonly, while the wider widths are used for special flowers, leaves, etc. Quilling paper comes in a wide variety of colors. There are over 50 basic solid colors along with specialty colors such as pearlized, watercolor, gold-edge, etc.
Paper is usually rolled with a slotted tool or needle tool. A thick, white, fast drying craft glue is used to tack down the end of the paper on the loose circles. A lot of quillers have a special tip on their glue bottle that is the size of a pin. This allows them to use a very small amount of glue. The circles can then be shaped into marquise, triangles, squares, etc.
Other quilling methods include open work. Examples of this are C-scrolls, S-scrolls, and V's. Another method is husking. For this, straight pins are put in a line on a work board and the quilling paper is looped around the pins creating an open lacy look. These are some of the basic methods of quilling, although there are many others. Also, new techniques are being created as the boundaries of quilling are pushed to new levels.
Quilling paper comes in 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 inch widths and varies in length according to how big the finished circle should be. 1/16 and 1/8 are used most commonly, while the wider widths are used for special flowers, leaves, etc. Quilling paper comes in a wide variety of colors. There are over 50 basic solid colors along with specialty colors such as pearlized, watercolor, gold-edge, etc.
Paper is usually rolled with a slotted tool or needle tool. A thick, white, fast drying craft glue is used to tack down the end of the paper on the loose circles. A lot of quillers have a special tip on their glue bottle that is the size of a pin. This allows them to use a very small amount of glue. The circles can then be shaped into marquise, triangles, squares, etc.
Other quilling methods include open work. Examples of this are C-scrolls, S-scrolls, and V's. Another method is husking. For this, straight pins are put in a line on a work board and the quilling paper is looped around the pins creating an open lacy look. These are some of the basic methods of quilling, although there are many others. Also, new techniques are being created as the boundaries of quilling are pushed to new levels.
History of Quilling
Quilling was first used by monks during the Renaissance period to decorate their religious objects. When paper became more readily available in Victorian times, woman would use quilling to decorate furniture, jewelry, wall sconces, purses, and much more. Sometimes women would cut the gilt edges off of books and roll these strips. They usually rolled the paper using their hat pins. After the Victorian era, quilling faded from popularity. In the 1970's, there was renewed interest in quilling, but because it requires a lot of time and patience, quilling never really caught on. Today, quilling has a growing following. Most quillers just quill for their own enjoyment, but some do sell their work. As with any art form, every quiller has their own approach and unique style, from the traditional to the more modern.
If you are interested in becoming a quiller, you might consider joining the North American Quilling Guild. For more information please visit their website at: http://naqg.org/
If you are interested in becoming a quiller, you might consider joining the North American Quilling Guild. For more information please visit their website at: http://naqg.org/
Quilling was done in America for a short time during the 1700's. Very few pieces still exist from that time.