Paper Quilling: Tips & Techniques: The Stampin' Place: Rubber Art-Stamps, Accessories & Custom

Paper Quilling is actually much easier
to do than you may think.

Paper Quilling, also known as paper filigree, has been around for hundreds of years. Quilling is the technique of rolling colored strips of paper (1/8" width is great for card making), and then pinching, squeezing or shaping the rolls into different shapes. The shapes are glued together to create flowers, bugs, animals ---the possibilities are endless! The finished items are great for decorating cards, frames or even framed as a piece of art.
Each shape is started the same way, using a slotted quilling tool, insert one end of the paper into the slot and roll the paper onto the tool. When done rolling, simply let the paper uncoil until you have the desired size, then shape into the shape needed. Some of the quilling shapes you can easily produce are: teardrop, loose circle, tight circle, marquise & much more!

Paper Sculpture Technique

Create dimensional flowers to glue onto your stamped or sculpted cards, adding interest to your design.

Use the pattern below as a guide, varying the size. Decorate both sides of the paper or use duplex paper.
Use stamps, markers, sponging or brayer techniques for adding color.

Trace and cut your rose pattern from either lightweight paper, greeting card paper, or metallic card panels. Cut either a straight line or use a decorative paper edger.

Hold your shape with its back side towards you. Begin curling under using a toothpick, burnisher or quilling tool, starting from point A and working toward the center. Let it unwind a bit - and you have an instant rose! Place a spot of glue on the back of point B, which is now on the outside of the rose. Glue it to your project.

PAPER SCULPTURE CARD EXAMPLE:

Mount several quilled roses of varying colors and/or sizes onto a green greeting card.

Using the example for a guide, draw and cut several "half leaves". Cut on the solid lines with an X-ActoT knife, and score to fold outward on the broken lines.

Apply glue to the back of the design and place a contrasting green liner behind it. Your sculpted leaves will appear to be 2 shades of green and 3 dimensional.

Metallic foilboard makes a lovely quilled rose. Any weight or style of paper will work for this technique with each giving a different effect. Try wrapping paper, tissue, origami paper, or plain white paper, which you have already decorated.

Click on card to see a larger version.
No stamp images on sample are used.