Paper Quilling

detail of paper quilled flowers

Picture (detail), artist and date unknown. Paper quilling. The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection.

paper quilled flowers in a brown, oval frame

Picture, artist and date unknown. Paper quilling. The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection.

detail of paper quilled flowers

Picture (detail), artist and date unknown. Paper quilling. The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection.

paper quilled flowers in a brown, oval frame

Picture, artist and date unknown. Paper quilling. The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection.

Learn how to quill paper with your MFA art kit or materials from home

The decorative art of paper quilling has been around since the 15th century, possibly longer, and crafted by people all around the world! Quilling involves rolling, twisting, and bending thin strips of colorful paper into shapes to make detailed designs, just like the flowers and leaves in the framed artwork above.

If you have an MFA art kit for this very activity, you already have all the materials you need! If not, start by gathering all the materials below.

Instructions

three flowers formed by quilled paper strips of various colors

Materials

If you have an MFA art kit:

  • a quilling tool
  • strips of paper in different colors, about 1/2 inch wide and at least 8 inches long
  • a piece of sticky-backed cardboard

If you don’t have an MFA art kit:

  • liquid glue or a glue stick
  • a pencil or a thin dowel for rolling paper
  • strips of paper in different colors, about 1/2 inch wide and at least 8 inches long
  • a piece of sticky-backed cardboard, cardstock, or a plain piece of paper

Step 1

quilling tool and gluestick on top of strips of neon-colored paper
Gather your materials. If you don’t have an MFA art kit or sticky-backed cardboard, make sure you have liquid glue or a glue stick.

Step 2

close-up of quilling tool tip, and paper inserted into quilling tool tip
If you are using a quilling tool, insert a piece of paper in the space between the metal ends.

Step 3

rolling strip of neon-colored paper around tip of quilling tool
Tightly roll the paper around the end of the quilling tool or the end of a toothpick or pencil. Sometimes it helps to hold the end of the paper in one hand and use your other hand to roll the paper around and around to make a spiral.

Step 4

peeling off backing off sticky-backed cardboard; applying rolled-up neon paper strip onto sticky cardboard
If you have an MFA art kit or are using sticky-backed cardboard, peel the backing off the adhesive side. Attach the quilled paper by pressing down a flat side so you can see the spiral designs.

Step 5

using a gluestick to apply glue onto edge of rolled-up neon paper strip
If you are using glue instead of sticky-backed cardboard, add a drop of liquid glue or use a glue stick to attach the end of the rolled paper onto itself. Then put glue where you want the roll to go on your piece of cardboard, cardstock, or paper. Press a flat side of your rolled paper on your piece of cardboard, cardstock, or paper.

Step 6

rolling up two strips of paper of different colors using the quilling tool
You can create a multicolored design by choosing two colors of paper and rolling them together!

Step 7

arrangement of quilled paper, all of different colors, rolled up to form different shapes
Try making different shapes: use your fingers to pinch the rolled paper into squares, diamonds, ovals, and more!

Step 8

quilled paper, arranged to form flower bouquets
Keep adding! What designs can you make?

Instructions photos: top, photo by Emmalia W.; steps 6 and 8, photos courtesy of Anna B. D.; step 7, photos courtesy of Liam J. and Emmalia W.

Tags
Art Making at Home