Quilling – the Art of Paper Filigree

Quilling – the Art of Paper Filigree

Quilling (in English: Quilling, from the word Quill – “feather quill”), also known as paper filigree (a jewelry technique for creating delicate pieces from thin gold, silver or copper wire, resembling lace) is an art form that uses strips of paper, fabric, leather and other materials. They are rolled, folded into specific shapes and glued together to create beautiful and interesting decorative designs.

Some sources suggest that many of the techniques we know today as quilling were first practiced in Ancient Egypt. The art of quilling has roots in medieval Europe – in the 14th and 15th centuries. Using feather quills, nuns rolled thin strips of paper with gilded edges. With this technique, women made small brooches that imitated gold. During the Renaissance, paper strips were used to decorate book covers. These decorations often depicted religious motifs or elements from nature.

In the 18th century, the art of quilling became popular among noblewomen throughout Europe. The craft also spread to America. Many quilling works could be found on shelves, furniture, bridge tables, ladies’ purses and handbags, picture frames, tea and drinks trays, jewelry boxes (some of which were made entirely with this technique), gift boxes, interior objects, pictures, baskets – there were practically no limits. Some objects were specially designed with recessed surfaces for displaying quilling creations. Quilling was also successfully combined with other techniques such as embroidery and painting. The art was somewhat forgotten during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The renewed popularity of this technique today is associated with the English Princess Elizabeth, who was passionate about the art of quilling. Some of her works can be seen at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Today the technique is extremely popular in Europe and around the world. The art is especially highly regarded in the East, and particularly in India.

 Basics of Modern Quilling

Over the past twenty years or so, the popularity of quilling has increased significantly. Professionals and hobby artists can be found on every continent. Today the art of rolled paper strips is used to make wedding invitations, greeting cards, decorations, jewelry and remarkable works of art. The modern face of quilling has gone through many transformations in terms of technique, styles and materials – raised designs, 3D miniatures, abstract art and realistic quilled flowers, fine jewelry and cards can all be seen.

One reason quilling is so popular is that it can be learned relatively easily, while another is the wide range of tools and resources available today. And last but not least is the accessibility of its main material – paper. Quilling is great fun for both children and adults. It develops fine motor skills and patience.

Technique

At its core, modern quilling belongs to the family of applied visual techniques known as paper folding. It is often compared with origami, and more specifically modular origami. What all quilling works have in common is the use of paper strips. Depending on the desired effect and purpose, the strips can be 1, 2 or 3 mm wide for more elegant and delicate decorations, 6–8 mm for the most common projects, and sometimes 1 or 2 cm.

Quilling Paper and Quilling Strips.

Quilling artists use many different types of paper in their work. The choice is part of the creative interpretation and the final goal. Paper can vary greatly in both color and thickness. It can range from very lightweight paper to thick cardstock. Two-tone papers are used as well, and sometimes the artist adds extra color by hand.

Basic Tools

The art of quilling allows the use of an unlimited number and variety of tools. The main rule is the creator’s imagination. Among the most commonly used tools are a rolling tool, awl, combs, templates with circles and shapes, cork board, strip-crimping tools, corrugating tools and templates for creating round and other forms.

One of the main tools is the rolling tool. A characteristic feature of this tool is that its tip has two prongs between which the quilling strip is held. Depending on the purpose, the tool comes in many variations – short, long, with a smaller or larger tip. Enthusiasts can also make their own rolling tool. Awl and/or long needle. The purpose of this tool is to roll the paper around the needle. It can also be used to create spiral shapes.

Quilling templates. The variety here is truly enormous. Their purpose is to allow the artist to create objects of a precise size and shape easily, quickly, accurately and repeatedly. Many different templates are sold on the market, but much cheaper alternatives can also be found in stationery and book shops. If desired, a quilling artist can make their own templates. In addition to flat templates, embossed and three-dimensional versions are also used.
Cork board. A multifunctional tool that, among other things, does not readily stick to glue. Its main role is to allow finished elements to be pinned and fixed in place. The design can first be arranged with pins as a draft before the elements are glued.

Glue. There is no need to buy expensive glue for joining the elements. The important thing is that it dries clear. The glue commonly known as C200 is a good option. It should not be diluted with water, so that it does not make the paper soggy; thicker glue also sets faster and does not require the elements to be pressed and crushed.

Tweezers with pointed tips. They are used to hold and join the finished elements.

Scissors – a small, sharp and comfortable pair is the most practical choice. Many artists also use various decorative-edge scissors.

The basic forms in quilling are open and closed.

Closed forms – the paper is rolled, folded and glued into elements that do not have a loose projecting end. In most cases, closed forms have a clearly defined shape – circle, triangle, square, star, teardrop. Closed forms are most often the basic building blocks of quilling works. They can be used to create all kinds of figures, flowers, animals, objects, jewelry and more.

Open forms – these shapes can be incredibly varied – the only thing they have in common is that their ends remain free and are not joined by a closing segment.

A gift made with this technique will certainly be more than impressive. Creative ideas for quilling extend as far as the imagination – from flowers

and animals on panels and cards to three-dimensional figures, jewelry, refrigerator magnets, souvenirs, jewelry boxes, toys and decorative wall panels.

Every design is unique and one of a kind.

Video Demonstrations of the Quilling Technique

At its core, modern quilling belongs to the family of applied visual techniques known as paper folding. It is often compared with origami, and more specifically modular origami. What all quilling works have in common is the use of paper strips. Depending on the desired effect and purpose, the strips can be 1, 2 or 3 mm wide for more elegant and delicate decorations, 6–8 mm for the most common projects, and sometimes 1 or 2 cm.

Quilling Paper and Quilling Strips.

Quilling artists use many different types of paper in their work. The choice is part of the creative interpretation and the final goal. Paper can vary greatly in both color and thickness. It can range from very lightweight paper to thick cardstock. Two-tone papers are used as well, and sometimes the artist adds extra color by hand.

Basic Tools

The art of quilling allows the use of an unlimited number and variety of tools. The main rule is the creator’s imagination. Among the most commonly used tools are a rolling tool, awl, combs, templates with circles and shapes, cork board, strip-crimping tools, corrugating tools and templates for creating round and other forms.
One of the main tools is the rolling tool. A characteristic feature of this tool is that its tip has two prongs between which the quilling strip is held. Depending on the purpose, the tool comes in many variations – short, long, with a smaller or larger tip. Enthusiasts can also make their own rolling tool. Awl and/or long needle. The purpose of this tool is to roll the paper around the needle. It can also be used to create spiral shapes.

Quilling templates. The variety here is truly enormous. Their purpose is to allow the artist to create objects of a precise size and shape easily, quickly, accurately and repeatedly. Many different templates are sold on the market, but much cheaper alternatives can also be found in stationery and book shops. If desired, a quilling artist can make their own templates. In addition to flat templates, embossed and three-dimensional versions are also used.
Cork board. A multifunctional tool that, among other things, does not readily stick to glue. Its main role is to allow finished elements to be pinned and fixed in place. The design can first be arranged with pins as a draft before the elements are glued.

Glue. There is no need to buy expensive glue for joining the elements. The important thing is that it dries clear. The glue commonly known as C200 is a good option. It should not be diluted with water, so that it does not make the paper soggy; thicker glue also sets faster and does not require the elements to be pressed and crushed.

Tweezers with pointed tips. They are used to hold and join the finished elements.

Scissors – a small, sharp and comfortable pair is the most practical choice. Many artists also use various decorative-edge scissors.

The basic forms in quilling are open and closed.

Closed forms – the paper is rolled, folded and glued into elements that do not have a loose projecting end. In most cases, closed forms have a clearly defined shape – circle, triangle, square, star, teardrop. Closed forms are most often the basic building blocks of quilling works. They can be used to create all kinds of figures, flowers, animals, objects, jewelry and more.

Open forms – these shapes can be incredibly varied – the only thing they have in common is that their ends remain free and are not joined by a closing segment.

A gift made with this technique will certainly be more than impressive. Creative ideas for quilling extend as far as the imagination – from flowers

and animals on panels and cards to three-dimensional figures, jewelry, refrigerator magnets, souvenirs, jewelry boxes, toys and decorative wall panels.

Every design is unique and one of a kind.

Video Demonstrations of the Quilling Technique