Quilling - a type of needlework, which involves the manufacture of compositions, crafts from strips of paper twisted into spirals (rolls). It is, in its way, an art. Complex materials can be made from a simple material such as paper. It can be individual panels, paintings or figures for decorating postcards, home decoration, wedding accessories and more. It is amazing how sophisticated things can be created using strips of paper and tools for quilling - photos of finished works on the Internet can amaze even the richest imagination! Another name for quilling is paper rolling.
Simple and affordable hobby
Unlike many other types of needlework, quilling does not require significant costs and special abilities. Anyone can master the technique of twisting paper strips. What is more remarkable about quilling - tools and materials can be either purchased in ready-made kits or made independently from improvised materials.
Paper-rolling will appeal to those who have patience, love hard work, who like needlework, who enjoy the process of creating something beautiful with their own hands.
What is needed for quilling?
To create simple compositions in the technique of quilling, you do not need a large number of devices. Here is a list of what is required without fail:
- Narrow long strips of paper.
- Tool for twisting them into spirals.
- Scissors.
- Glue. Best PVA bottle with a narrow neck.
- Ruler with circles of different diameters.
- Tweezers, better with sharp ends.
Having at hand all of the above, you can begin to comprehend the basics of paper rolling and create your own compositions. You can purchase a quilling tool in a craft store or make one yourself. There are other devices for those who have already outgrown the basic level, can create complex things from paper, or engage in quilling on a professional basis.
Paper strips are the main material
In the art of paper rolling, the main material is narrow strips of double-sided colored paper. They are sold in specialized stores. Sets can consist of strips of the same color or multi-colored. Sometimes paper strips are included in the quilling tool kit. Some needlewomen prefer to cut sheets of paper on their own.
Usually in quilling strips are used narrow (3 mm), medium width (5 and 7 mm) and wide (10 mm). Not every paper is suitable for this type of needlework. It is important that it be of a certain density. Too thin paper does not hold the shape, and making figures out of it is difficult and inconvenient. The optimal thickness, according to the craftswomen, is at least 60 grams per square meter.
The device for twisting rolls - the main tool for quilling
In fact, it is a rod with a forked end. But the followers of the eastern school of paper rolling use a simple fixture, similar to an awl, with a sharp and thin end. Nevertheless, most needlewomen believe that a device with a bifurcated end, a slot is more convenient to use. The principle of its operation is simple: a paper strip is inserted into the tip of the tool and twisted into a spiral.
It’s pretty easy to make this do-it-yourself quilling tool. Most often, the basis is a toothpick, a wooden skewer or a rod from a ballpoint pen. With a sharp knife in any of these objects a small cut is made - and the tool is ready. Another option is to take the needle and break off part of the ear to make a “fork”, then insert it into an empty rod, so that it is convenient to hold with your hands.
Why do you need a ruler and tweezers?
In the quilling technique, there is a certain set of elements that everyone who wants to try themselves in this needlework will have to master. Dense and loose rolls, triangles and squares, “eyes”, “arrows” and much more - almost all elements are formed manually from round rolls of different diameters. To make them neat, of the required size, it is advisable to use a ruler with circles. This quilling tool allows you to conveniently create the necessary elements. Recently, plastic stencils with different shapes - hearts, squares, triangles of different sizes - have appeared on sale. They can also be used to form paper elements.
Tweezers help in working with small parts. When you need to form a roll and firmly press the tip of the strip to glue it or connect the elements together, it is not very convenient to hold the blanks with your fingers. And the tweezers allow you to manage the parts deftly and quickly without damaging them.
Quilling accessories
You can create paper filigree with a limited number of tools. But the craftswomen with experience also use other devices, thanks to which things created from paper strips become more refined, interesting. Some tools are designed to speed up the process of creating compositions, to make it more convenient.
For independent cutting of paper strips, some craftswomen use a special rubberized rug with marking and a clerical knife. And others - a special machine. There is a device for cutting fringe strips, thanks to which paper flowers are fluffy and voluminous. Using the so-called crimp, you can get corrugated paper. Can't find free quilling tools on the open market? An online store will help you get everything you need to get luxurious compositions, because today you can order anything on the net.
To understand whether you like to engage in quilling, you can try to do some simple things using improvised materials, tools available for beginners of the scheme. First you’ll have to master the basic elements that make up the shapes. If the lesson does not seem boring and tedious, but, on the contrary, there is a desire to create and create more complex and interesting compositions from paper, then it makes sense to purchase a special tool for quilling - separately or in sets. And already with its help to master the wonderful art of paper rolling further.