Paper quilling involves rolling thin strips of paper, typically 1/8 inch wide, around a needle or slotted quilling tool. The tiny paper rolls are then shaped, pinched and arranged in order to create quilled paper or paper filigree pictures. Paper coils can be rolled very tightly or quite loosely for various effects within your final image. As you might expect, loose coiled paper shapes can create bigger shapes, whilst smaller tightly paper coils can make smaller more defined shapes. A comprehensive familiarity with paper quilling techniques can enable you to create more elaborate and involved designs. You should utilize quilled paper to make framed pictures, or even to decorate cards or scrap-booking layouts.
Basic Quilling Techniques
1. Most quilled shapes begin as either a closed coil or an open coil. A closed coil is rolled quite tightly and an open one a lot more loosely. Beginners could find it easier to employ a slotted quilling tool; however, more seasoned quillers often choose a needle or toothpick. Tight coils may very well be pushed upward through the center to produce a peg, adding another dimension in your final design. The end connected with an open coil is secured using a tiny amount of glue as well as the coil pinched into other shapes, including squares, triangles, tear drops and diamonds.
Complex Quilling Techniques
2. Add complexity and interest on your quilling designs by utilizing paper strips of various sizes, or simply using a selection of techniques. Folded paper is just one such option. You can use a hair pick, onion holder or quilling comb to fold paper backwards and forwards over the teeth on the comb. This technique could easily create pine trees, feathers, leaves and other designs. Add folded paper leaves, flowers and fringed elements to the quilled designs. Combining classic, simple quilling techniques along with other paper-folding techniques allows you more versatility in your designs. Don't be worried to experiment! An important part of making your quilling masterpiece is experimenting and experiencing a process of learning from mistakes.
3. Integrating your quilling into many different paper crafting projects is simpler than it may seem. Moreover, you can even work other paper crafting techniques together with your quilling techniques. Color paper strips with chalks or colored pencils before quilling. It would be better to apply color before cutting strips of paper. Also cut paper strips from various text-weight papers, including many of the papers sold for scrap-booking. Do make certain that any papers you end up picking are reversible for that good effect when quilled.By Caroll McBeth