Quilling Basics

Are you new to quilling ? First, purchase a multi-color pack of quilling paper or cut your own strips using a paper cutter which is good for practicing. You will also need a tool for rolling the paper strips.

Some quillers use only their fingers, but a needle tool or slotted tool can also be used. These may be purchased at arts and crafts stores or online, but it's easy to make your own tool by inserting a standard sewing needle into a bottle cork. The cork provides a comfortable handle. If you like the security of a slot to help grab the end of the paper strip, make a slotted tool. Ensure that you wear goggles to protect your eyes, snip the tip off the eye end of a sewing needle, leaving the slot exposed, and insert the needle point into the cork with pliers.

To roll a coil with the slotted tool, slide the end of the paper strip into the slot; turn the tool with one hand and guide the paper with the other. The strip will wind into a coil almost effortlessly. When the end of the strip is reached, allow the rolled coil to relax and slide it off the tool. Apply a tiny amount of glue to the end with a toothpick and hold it in place for a few moments to dry. This relaxed roll is called a loose coil.

If you prefer your coils not to have the center crimp that a slotted tool produces, you will need to purchase a needle tool or make one by inserting the eye end of a sewing needle into a bottle cork. Some quillers like to use an old-fashioned hat pin, corsage pin or even a cake tester as a needle tool. It takes a little more effort to learn to quill with a needle tool, but with practice, you'll soon be producing an evenly rolled coil with a tiny round center.

To roll a coil with a needle tool, dampen your fingertips or the end of the paper strip and curve it across the tip of the needle. Using the thumb and index finger of whichever hand is most comfortable for you, roll the paper around the needle with even pressure. When the end of the strip is reached, allow the rolled coil to relax and slide it off the tool and put a tiny dab of glue on the loose end. With practice, you'll find that your rolling tension becomes even and your coils will be nearly identical in shape and size. To make a tight coil, don't allow the paper to relax after rolling, instead glue the end while the paper is still wound on the tool. When dry, slide the tight coil off the tool. 

Tip: Tear the end of the paper strip that will be glued rather than cutting it with scissors, it will blend smoothly, and the join will be less noticeable.

Basic Shapes

	Tight Roll Roll strip of paper on quilling tool. Slide off tool while holding shape. Glue loose end down.
	Grape Roll Make a Tight Roll. Round up center of tight roll with finger or quilling tool.
	Tapered Roll Make a Tight Roll. Press out center of tight roll to a sharp point using quilling needle or point of tweezers. For large tapered rolls, taper tight roll as you are rolling it.
	Ring Coil Wrap strip around handle of quilling tool. Glue loose end down while still on handle. To make larger ring coil, wrap strip around larger object.
	Closed Coil Roll strip of paper on quilling tool. Slide off tool. Release and allow coil to expand. Glue loose end down.
	Eccentric Coil Roll a Closed Coil. Pull center of coil to edge and glue in place.
	Tear Drop  Roll a Closed Coil. Pinch one side of coil to a point
	ShapedTear Drop  Roll a Closed Coil. Pinch one side of coil to a point. Bend point slightly to one side.
	Tight Tear Drop  Make a Grape Roll. Pinch one side of grape roll to a point.
	Half Circle  Roll a Closed Coil. Hold coil in fingers and gently press top with thumbs until approx. 1/3 of coil is indented and pinch points at each end of  indentation.
	Tulip  Roll a Closed Coil. Hold coil in fingers and using thumbs and index fingers gently press into 3 points making middle point slightly higher than ends.
	Marquise  Roll a Closed Coil. Pinch both sides of coil to a point
	Shaped Marquise  Roll a Closed Coil. Pinch both sides of coil to a point. Bend points slightly in opposite direction.
	Tight Marquise  Make a Grape Roll. Pinch opposite sides of grape roll to a point.
	Square  Roll a Closed Coil. Pinch both sides of coil to a point  (marquise). Pinch two more points between first two points.
	Rectangle Roll a Closed Coil. Pinch both sides of coil to a point (marquise). Pinch two more points approximately 1/3 distance between first two points.
	Triangle  Roll a Closed Coil. Pinch one side of coil to a point (teardrop). Pinch two more points equal distance from first point to top of curve.
	Diamond  Pinch both sides of coil to a point (marquise). Pinch two more points between first two points (square). Press one set of opposite points slightly toward left and other set of points slightly toward the right.

Basic Scrolls

	Loose Scroll (or open coil) Roll strip of paper on quilling tool. Release and allow coil to expand. Leave as is for open coil, or pull portion of loose end straight to make loose scroll.
	V Scroll  Fold strip of paper in half. Roll each end outward toward the fold in paper
	S Scroll  Roll one end to paper toward center. Roll other end in opposite direction toward center.
	Heart Scroll  Fold strip of paper in half. Roll each end of paper inward toward fold in paper
	Double Scroll Fold strip in half. Roll both sides of strip towards same side
	Double Scroll with Flag  Fold strip of paper in half. Roll both ends together toward fold in paper.
	C Scroll Roll each end of paper in same direction toward center of paper.
	Asymmetric S Scroll Roll one end of strip past center of paper Roll other end of strip in opposite direction toward first roll
	Asymmetric C Scroll Roll one end of strip past center of paper Roll other end of strip in same direction toward first roll
	Asymmetric Heart Scroll Fold strip in half. Roll ends of strip inward toward center, rolling one side closer to center than other side
	Asymmetric V Scroll Fold strip in half. Roll ends of strip outward toward center, rolling one side closer to center than other side
	Modified Heart Scroll Fold strip off center (at 1/4 or 1/3 mark). Roll each end of paper inward toward fold in paper
	Modified V Scroll Fold strip off center (at 1/4 or 1/3 mark). Roll each end outward toward the fold in paper