Picture (detail), artist and date unknown. Paper quilling. The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection.
Picture, artist and date unknown. Paper quilling. The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection.
Picture (detail), artist and date unknown. Paper quilling. The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection.
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
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
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
If you are using a quilling tool, insert a piece of paper in the space between the metal ends.
Step 3
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
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
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
You can create a multicolored design by choosing two colors of paper and rolling them together!
Step 7
Try making different shapes: use your fingers to pinch the rolled paper into squares, diamonds, ovals, and more!
Step 8
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.