Starting with simple shapes, the process of creating them gets your fingers adjusted to the motions. Also starting this way allows for small successes to keep encouraging you to continue with your adventures.
Steps
1. Tools.
Tools can be important, but there are always ways to cheat. If you’re planning on teaching basic quilling to a group of ten girls, you don’t want to buy 10 quilling boards . . . it will get quite expensive. Instead, use a round paper punch on a small piece of paper, then attaching it to a piece of cardboard with raised foam tape allows you to give them the ability to make consistent circles without the cost. Look at the basic tools in a quilling kit as well as extras suggested. How might you adapt other items you have for this craft? Can you use items from your home instead of buying more stuff?
2. Watch.
From the resources you identified in “Quilling Explorer” or with a search engine, watch how to make each of the shapes listed below. See the shape supplement so you can put a sample of each on your sheet for reference. When you feel comfortable enough with making the shapes, attempt to make patterns out of the shapes. Remember, consistency in size is important.
3. Tear or cut.
When you start out, you’re less concerned about the size as you’re getting down the process. As you make more complicated items, you’ll find that you need to start your strips at a certain length. At that point, you need to make a decision . . . to tear or cut to the correct length. Cutting is more precise and gives you an exact measurement. Tearing gives you a feathered edge which helps to hide the end. Try both and decide which look you prefer.
4. Round.
There are four simple roll shapes that remain round.
- Tight circle
- Loose circle
- Oval
- Grape or cone
Make some of these until you’re comfortable doing it.
5. Teardrops.
Starting with a loose circle, you pinch one edge to make a teardrop and opposite ends to make a marquise. Try these four shapes next.
- Teardrop
- Shaped teardrop
- Marquise
- Shaped marquise
Other pinched circles can also make:
- Crescent
- Bunny ears
6. Flat.
Some shapes are made by flattening one or more edges of your loose circles. Try these four shapes.
- Rectangle
- Square / diamond
- Triangle
- Half circle (one flat edge)
7. Scrolls.
You do not make rolls when you do scrolls. You leave the ends unglued. Check out the following scrolls and try your hand at making them.
- Loose scroll
- Open heart
- V-scroll
- S-scroll
- C-scroll
8. Spiral.
A spiral is simply paper started at an angle and wrapped around a needle tool or equivalent. Try your hand at these as well.
9. Patterns.
You’ll notice that patterns for quilling are actually the shapes you need to create for each piece. Some also tell you how long and what color your quilling pieces should be. Look at patterns and choose a couple to try.
10. Make.
Check out the sheet with the patterns provided with this badge program. Use your basic quilling knowledge and make simple items such as a flower or balloon. If you’re confident, try one of the more complicated shapes.
11. Use.
Single shapes can be placed on cards, gift tags, scrapbook pages or even made into pendants and earrings. For jewelry pieces, make sure to seal the paper first to stiffen it and keep it clean. Look into the ways others have used their quilling creations.
12. Decorate.
You can add items to your quilled shapes. Calligraphy, sketches, stickers and stamping are just a few ways to do more than just put a quilled shape or pattern onto a card. Often, you’ll want to plan where you’ll put your quilled creation first, then move it off the work area while you put down other elements. Brainstorm ways you can add to your quilled creations.
Badge and Supplement Files
Member Level
- 0EP_B_BPG_QuillB_2in_12up_MS1_larajla — generic badge printable
- 0EP_BLIST_QuillB_MS1_larajla — badge items per membership level
- 0EP_BSET0_QuillB_MS1_larajla —badge set and related badges
- 0EP_SUPP0_QuillB_Journal_MS1_larajla — badge journal
- 0EP_SUPP0_QuillB_Planner_MS1_larajla — badge planner
- 0EP_SUPPL_QuillB_MS1_larajla — supplements currently available per membership level
Supplement Fun
- 0EP_SUPP0_Pattern Fun_Quilling 01_MS2_larajla — Pattern Fun: Several simple quilling patterns
- 0EP_SUPP0_Printable_Quill Basic Info_MS2_larajla — Printable: Basic information for quilling
- 0EP_SUPP0_Printable_Quill Worksheet 1_MS2_larajla — Printable: Starting quilling shape worksheet
Sites to Explore
- quillingwithwhimsiquills.blogspot.com/2007/07/teachinglearning-quilling-part-1.html
- quillingwithwhimsiquills.blogspot.com/2007/07/teachinglearning-quilling-part-2-basic.html
- www.origami-resource-center.com/quilling.html
- www.craftcreations.com/pages/free-craft-projects (look through products for quilling)
- cdn.dick-blick.com/lessonplans/eye-popping-paper-curls/eye-popping-paper-curls-paper-curls.pdf
- www.thepaperycraftery.com
- www.customquillingbydenise.com
- www.marthastewart.com/921702/how-make-quilled-cards
- www.mybluprint.com/article/heres-your-crash-course-on-quilling-the-renaissance-art-form-thats-become-a-cool-new-craft
- paperzen.blogspot.com/2018/11/quilling-glue-basics-5-helpful-tips.html
- quilling.sewingideas101.com/get-started/paper-quilling-beginners-guide
- quilling.sewingideas101.com/for-kids/paper-quilling-ideas-for-kids
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here