Quilling Basics

Hey guys! Sorry it has been so long since my last post; I was trying to decide whether to post this or the letter tutorial first. If you're looking to making these beautiful paper shapes without having to go buy an official "quilling kit," then you've found the right blog!
I am going to show you how to make all the basic shapes used in quilling with just what you probably already have at home! So settle in, because this one might be a little long :)

Let's start with, "What is quilling?" Quilling is, according to dictionary.com, "a type of ornamental handicraft involving the shaping of paper, fabric, or glass into delicate pleats or folds." We will be focusing on quilling paper. I'm sure you have all seen the beautifully quilled typography floating around Pinterest. My next tutorial is a letter, but we will be covering today all the pretty little shapes that fill in those letters!
No matter what you are quilling though, you will need the basic strips of paper. I use the standard 1/4" strips of cardstock. The cardstock will hold it's shape better than regular paper thanks to it's thickness. I also find it to be easier (and faster!) to use a paper cutter instead of scissors. Once you have all your little strips, and I recommend making quite a few, you're ready to begin! (Please excuse my un-painted nails!)


1) The coil. This is the most basic and most used of all the shapes. It is also the starting off point for almost all of the other basic shapes. The coil is also the easiest shape to make! Just roll up your strip of paper super tight.

One choice is to use a straight pin to help you start your roll.

How it looks when you release the coil.

Easy-peasy, right?

2) Loose coil. This one is made exactly like the tight coil, but after you release it, lightly undo the roll. You can then easily roll it back as loosely and largely as you like!

 3) Double Coil. You guessed! Just like the normal coil, but roll both ends (one at a time), in the opposite directions.

4) Heart. This one is similar to the double coil, except you fold the strip in half, then roll both sides into each other.

5) "V." Same as heart, except roll ends away from each other.

6) Eye Shape. Take the coil, and gently pinch both sides in the center.

 7) Teardrop. Similar to the eye shape, except only one side is pinched.

8) Petal. Make the teardrop shape, then slightly indent one side. 

9) Leaf. Make the eye shape, then slightly indent each side in the opposite direction.

10) Semicircle.  This one can get a little tricky. To make the semicircle you have to pull down the bottom "corners" of the coil; if you pull the center sides then you'll make the eye! I like to pull one corner at a time so I can make it as crisp as possible.

 

 

11) Crescent. Simply make the semicircle, then indent the center of the bottom!

12) Square. Basically, you want to kinda make the eye twice for this shape. First one way, then only halfway on the opposite side. Make sure to flatten out the edges.

 13) Triangle. Make the teardrop, then pull down the bottom two corners, flattening the edges.

14) Arrow. Make the triangle shape, then sharply indent one of the sides. Push the indent to a crisp for a more identifiable arrow.

15) Tulip. This one is fairly difficult to make even. First make a teardrop, then pull the corner out quite far. Then, holding the base, push the top back into itself, forcing up the other two sides. Try to keep the base as rounded as possible, though.

16) ZigZag. Another super simple fold, and one that you have probably done many times before. Just fold small sections of the strip opposite ways. It doesn't have to be even!

17) Starburst. Take the zigzag, and circle it around so the ends meet.

Tada!

So there you have it folks, the basic shapes of quilling. Next post I will be showing you how to quill a letter! If you have any questions or new shapes, feel free to drop me a line :)

-Stacey