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How to Paper Quill

My family on my mother’s side has a long history of crafters, artists, quilters, sewists, and the like. 

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that learning how to do paper quilling was part of my life. My grandmother had some old quilling supplies in her attic that I found as a teen, and she proceeded to teach me how to paper quill.

What is quilling?

Quilling is a paper art form. Using strips of paper, the artist rolls, shapes and glues these strips to create a picture or design.

It begins with rolling the strips into coils of different tightness, then manipulating the coils into different shapes. The various quilling shapes are then glued together to create 3D art.

History of Quilling

Many nationalities claim that quilling originated long ago in their respective countries. However, the true origin of quilling is not known. 

It is speculated that it began with the invention of paper in China around 100 AD or perhaps in Egypt where some tombs contained coiled wire shapes that are very similar to the shapes of quilling seen today.

It is known that ancient Greeks used thin wires made of metal that were coiled around vases, boxes, pillars and containers as a decorative art in 300 AD.

Quilled religious items have been found upon excavation of  homes and places of worship across Europe, which were estimated to be made during the medieval time period. 

The most interesting record of quilling may be that of French and Italian nuns who used the gilded edges torn from pages of Holy books to wrap around goose quills. 

They created coiled shapes with the golden edges for decoration and to make holy pictures between the 1200s to the 1600s.

Because they wrapped the thin strips around goose quills, the art became known as quilling.

What are some quilling paper crafts?

Some quilling craft ideas are making:

  • Greeting cards
  • Bookmarks
  • Picture frames
  • Place cards
  • Jewelry

There are many different quilling paper crafts to be found on our Free Paper Quilling Patterns and Ideas page.

To learn how to quill, scroll down for excellent video tutorials, books, quilling supplies, and written directions.

Start now to learn how to do paper quilling.  Be sure to take a look at our page showing quilling tools and supplies .

Quilling is a beautiful art form to learn and enjoy! 

How to Paper Quill

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10 Quilling Techniques Every Quiller Should Know

10 hacks to make paper quilling easier, faster and more fun. Craftsy

Basic Quilling Shapes

Here is a guide for beginners to learn to create the 20 best basic quilling shapes guide includes the easiest and basic shapes. You can create many quilling projects using these basic shapes. Craftyity

Beehive Quilling Technique

Quilling paper artists are using the beehive quilling technique to fill in large areas. Here is a tutorial on this technique. The Paper Craftery

Beginner Quilling Video Tutorials

Are you new to quilling? Here are some videos to help you learn how to make the shapes to start your quilling experience. Quilling.com

Butterfly Quilling

Learn to make a Quilling Butterfly with this video tutorial. Quilling.com

Buy a Cricut Maker Machine

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The Cricut Maker is a smart cutting machine capable of working with over 300 different materials from paper to fabric to balsa wood. Affiliate Link to Cricut

DIY Greeting Card with Quilling

Use this tutorial as inspiration to make quilling cards. Instructables

DIY Quilling Tool

DIY Quilling Tool

Why wait to buy a quilling tool when you can make one in under 5 minutes with a few everyday items? Learn how to make your own quilling tool by reading this article. Birdz Of A Feather

Guild - North America Quilling Guild

The purpose of this guild is to promote paper quilling. Learn more. North America Quilling Guild

Guild - Quilling Guild

The Guild, formed in 1983, aims to promote the art of quilling and the knowledge of quill work. To learn more, visit the website. Quilling Guild

How to Do Quilling

Ten step tutorial with pictures. WikiHow

Introduction to Paper Quilling

Introduction to Paper Quilling

Beginners Paper Quilling Tutorial! Start learning paper quilling by making this Christmas Wreath. As you make it you will learn a lot of paper quilling tips and tricks. Red Ted Art

Learning Paper Quilling

In this post is a beginner's project and tips for learning paper quilling. Creative Fabrica

Malaysian Flower

Here is a tutorial for paper quilling a Malaysian flower. Honey's Quilling

Paper Quilling Comb Patterns

Basic step-by-step instructions on how to use a comb to create paper quilling comb patterns are available here. Rainbow Cabin

Paper Quilling Comb Technique

A quilling comb looks exactly like a wide-toothed hair pick with metal prongs. It is used for making paper coils. Felt Magnet

Paper Quilling Instructions

Instructions on making different types of coil for quilling. Learn how to roll and shape the coil. Handmade Craft Ideas

Paper Quilling Strips in 2 Minutes

How to make paper for quilling. Instructable

Paper Quilling Tips for Beginners

Eights tips to help you become a quilling pro. The Spruce Crafts

Quilled Card

How to make quilling cards in 5 easy steps. Medium

Quilled Duckling

Make a duckling with simple quilling shapes. Dot Com Women

Quilling Paper

Make your own quilling paper with a Cricut or Silhouette with this tutorial. Silhouette School Blog

Quilling Paper Strips Tutorial

On this blog learn how to cut your own quilling strips. Craftsy

Quilling Shapes

Learn about the essential quilling shapes in this post. Interweave

Quilling Shapes and Tools

Here are some basic quilling instructions to get you started learning this beautiful art form. Paper Quilling

Quilling Strips

How to make quilling strips with a Cricut. Paper Zen

Rainbow Butterfly

Free tutorial on how to make a quilled rainbow butterfly. Honey's Quilling

Shapes in Quilling

The ultimate guide to making 15+ simple quilling shapes. Craftsy

Tulip Quill Tutorial

Tulip Quill Tutorial

Paper quilling tulips are not only a fun paper craft for Spring but a great beginner project to learn how to quill paper. Moms & Crafters





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