| Quilling is the art of rolling strips of paper around a | | | | stand out. To make a leaf, make the standard |
| simple tool to create elaborate designs that you | | | | diamond shape and then pinch one or more ends |
| can use as decorative touches for many different | | | | of the diamond. |
| reasons. Although quilling is very time consuming | | | | - Oval. To make this type of shape from the |
| because you are working with small items, it is | | | | paper strip, wind it in a oval shape and take care |
| one that is easy to learn. By combining paper | | | | not to pinch the ends. |
| quilling techniques, you can glue several designs | | | | - Square. This is another shape made from the |
| together to make a large design. | | | | basic diamond. Once you have the diamond made, |
| The basic technique of quilling involves cutting a | | | | pinch the smooth sides of the diamond to form a |
| strip of paper about 1/8 inch wide and three to | | | | square. |
| four inches in length. You need a needle or | | | | - Rectangle. To make a rectangle, you first have |
| toothpick or if you wish you can buy a quill. | | | | to make an oval. Then you pinch the corners to |
| Dampen the end of the paper, usually by licking it, | | | | make the shape of a rectangle. |
| and roll the strip of paper around the quilling tool | | | | - Star-shaped leaf. To make a leaf that looks like |
| of your choice. Roll it tightly and then remove the | | | | a star, you first have to form a diamond. Take |
| tool. Allow the coil to relax a little but don't let go | | | | hold of the ends and push them in toward the |
| of it completely - just enough to let it expand a | | | | center so that you form two new points and |
| little bit. Glue the loose end of the paper in the | | | | there will be a curve between these new points. |
| center, so that the coil forms a circle. Pinch one | | | | - Triangle. Form a loose coil to make a three-sided |
| side of the circle to make the shape of a | | | | shape. To make this triangle look realistic, you |
| teardrop. Then you can make four other | | | | need to try to keep the center as round as you |
| teardrops and glue them together to form a | | | | possible can. |
| flower. | | | | - Closed Heart. First you form a triangle, pinch the |
| Some of the standard quilling techniques are: | | | | sides and then push one of the sides inwards to |
| - Diamond Shape. To make a diamond you can | | | | form an indentation. |
| either roll the paper around the quill very tightly or | | | | - Half Moon. Form a loose coil and pinch it on two |
| have it a bit loose. Once you make the coil, pinch | | | | sides while you keep your finger on the middle of |
| two opposite sides. This technique is often called | | | | one of these sides to form an indentation. |
| the marquis or the eye-shaped coil. | | | | - Tulip. Form a loose coil on two sides and push |
| - Leaf. If you make flowers in paper quilling, you | | | | one side toward the center. |
| will want to add leaves to make the flowers | | | | |