Tips For Quilling

Here are some basic directions for quilling in your layouts:

It really is much easier than it looks, and I find that I really enjoy doing it.

The only tools you need are:

• the quilling tool (or a toothpick to wrap your paper around)


• some tweezers (the kind you can clasp shut are very handy)


• a paper trimmer (if you want to cut your own paper)

I do cut my own paper, and I have only used cardstock. If you use too thick of a piece, it will crumple up (the layers start to separate) as you start to roll it. So try to choose the more flexible pieces. Also, make sure your strips are very even in width.

For the white flowers in this layout, I used about a 4" strip about 1/4" wide for each petal. Just roll it tight, then let it uncoil as far is it wants to, then use a SMALL dab of glue. I use Zig 2-way or Sailor -- (I think they work better because they are thinner and they dry faster) to hold the end. Hold it until it's dry. I use my sticker tweezers to hold it while I roll the next piece. Once you have all of your coils done, then just pinch two opposite sides into a football shape. The center is only about a 1/2" inch piece rolled fairly tight. I put 6 petals on each flower.

To glue them to the page, I make a little puddle of glue on a scrap of thick cardstock (again I think this is where the thin glue comes in handy) and using tweezers, barely touch the bottom of your coiled shape in to the glue, then set it on the page. Be very careful to set it exactly where you want it, or the glue wil make a mark on your paper (it leaves little shiny spots).

For bigger shapes, like the sun, I used a 12" strip rolled tight, then uncoiled and loosened a little by hand. The rays are about 6" strips, rolled tight in opposite directions on each end to about 1". Then the middle was just curved by hand.

Heart flowers are about a 4" strip (or bigger, depending on how big you want it), folded in half and then coiled inward to the center on each end. Loosen up the coils to the size you want and then put a SMALL dab of glue to hold the center together.

Most of the leaves and stems are just curved by hand, and lightly dragged through the glue and set in place (they are pretty sturdy when the glue dries).

The biggest things to watch for are:

• Be sure that your coils are rolled evenly. I usually put my finger over the top as I roll to keep the edges even.
• Don't use too much glue. You will see it on your paper and a surprisingly small amount really holds things down.
• If you cut your own strips, inevitably some of them will be wider than others. Try to use the same widths for the same flowers. Overall, it won't be very obvious.
• When I glue my coils, I use a small strip of paper and dip it into my glue puddle, then rub it on the end of the coil. That way, you don't have to unroll it to rub your glue stick on it.

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Related Links:  Take a Quilling Lesson from Scrap Tutor  Layouts featuring Quilling

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