Definition:

Technique of creating designs by rolling thin strips of paper into swirls and flourishes that can be combined to form larger images.

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What are the essential tools and supplies you need to start?
Quilling, or Paper Filigree is the art of taking strips of paper and rolling, gluing, and shaping them to create patterns and designs. It can be used decoratively to adorn boxes, mirrors, frames, cards, scrapbook pages, etc. Many people have seen quilling used to decorate framed Wedding invitations and Baby Announcements.

You will need paper and glue. You can cut your own paper and many people do, but I prefer to buy my paper pre-cut. The patterns that you use will generally indicate the width and length of the paper to use. Quilling papers come in many colors and styles in addition to widths. To glue your shapes you will need a white, liquid glue that dries clear. Most craft glues will work for this task. Always remember that you only need very small amounts (or dabs of glue).

The typical tools you can use when quilling include:

• “Slotted” tool so named because of the tiny slit (or slot) at the top. This is generally a metal instrument. The slot at the top holds the paper as you turn it to create your shapes.
• “Needle” tool, generally has a metal or wooden handle with a long, thin piece of metal extending from the top that looks like a needle.
  
• You can always use your hands, you can use them for a technique called finger rolling
• You can also use straight pins, hat pins, and those "T" pins (office supply products).
  

Some other tools that you will find helpful (but not required) and are probably around your house are:

• Wax paper or clear sheet protectors to protect your work surface when gluing pieces together (your quilled pieces will be easy to remove and attach to your project)
• Cardboard, a book, styrofoam, or corkboard – the idea here is to have some work surface that is firm that you can work on your unfinished pieces. The added benefit is that it doubles as a portable work surface.
  
• Scissors – I use mine for cutting shapes, and sometimes to cut my strips. It is necessary for another technique called fringing where you cut your strips width-wise.
  
• A small plate, bottle cap, or something that you can use to put a little bit of glue on so that your entire bottle of glue doesn’t dry out. There are also special glue bottles that have tiny tips that are perfect to use.
  
• A ruler – this will help you with keeping your lines straight or measuring your shapes to ensure they are the same size.
  
• A damp cloth or sponge (even baby wipes) help you keep your fingers from getting glued together or so sticky that everything sticks to your fingers and not where you want them to be. Another use is that it will help you moisten your strip when you are finger rolling or using the needle tool and want to start your coil.
• Tweezers are helpful to help you pick up your pieces and place them in a specific location.
  

Now all you need is some time and patience. Keep a sense of humor and don’t worry, everyone loses their coils at one time or another. I have it on good authority that many cats like to eat coils and think that they are cat toys, so be careful around any felines.

Share some hints on technique:
Quilling, like so many other techniques requires practice. One of the best tips I can provide is to practice the various shapes. Click so can you print the free templates to practice making the various basic shapes in a variety of strip lengths.

You have 2 types of basic shapes; coils and scrolls. You can refer to these pictures for reference (they are provided by permission of the author).





Inspire someone new to quilling--upload a photo of a great example!

Here is a butterfly, there are free instructions posted for making him:



Here is a really fun pattern - share some Flower Power and Jump For Joy!