| Are you a paper crafter who has never quilled | | | | handle. |
| before? Are you not even sure if you'd like it? Are | | | | There are pros and cons for each type. The |
| you curious and want to find out, but cringe at the | | | | needle-type tools make a smaller center to the coil, but |
| thought of purchasing even more crafting supplies that | | | | starting and rolling the curl can be a bit tricky. The |
| might end up unused and forgotten in some drawer or | | | | slotted quilling tool leaves a tell-tale bend in the paper at |
| plastic bin? | | | | the center of the coil, but is by far the easiest tool for |
| If this sounds like you, then fear not. Basic quilling | | | | beginners to use. My advice is to spend the $3-4 and |
| supplies are few and very inexpensive. In fact, you | | | | get the slotted tool. Once you get the hang of quilling, |
| probably have many of the supplies currently on hand. | | | | you can branch out and try the needle tool or finger |
| If you find that you enjoy quilling and want to do more | | | | rolling. If you simply refuse to spend another dime on |
| (and I truly hope you will), then you can go wild and | | | | supplies, then try the toothpick. It is easier for paper to |
| build up your stash of quilling tools, papers, and | | | | grab onto the wooden surface than the smooth shaft |
| embellishments. | | | | of the needle tool or pin. |
| Three Must-Have Supplies for Quilling: Paper Strips, | | | | Other Useful Quilling Tools and Supplies |
| Glue, Curling Tool | | | | * Work Board. You can purchase one of the many |
| 1. Quilling Paper Strips. The most common width of | | | | nice ones available on the market today, or make your |
| paper strip used in quilling is 1/8 inch. Other widths are | | | | own from a sturdy piece of corrugated cardboard. A |
| available, however. Narrower strips (1/16 inch) are used | | | | good size is 6"x8", but any size will do as long as it is |
| for fine, detailed quilling, while wider strips, 1/4 inch, 1/2 | | | | larger than your quilling pattern. Cover the front of the |
| inch, and 3/8 inch, are used primarily for fringed flowers | | | | work board with a piece of wax paper or clear plastic |
| and 3D sculpting. | | | | cut to size and held in place with a few straight pins. |
| You can cut your own strips, and many quillers do, but | | | | * Straight Pins. Besides holding the work board |
| they must be cut precisely for the coils to look nice | | | | covering in place, pins are used to hold your coils and |
| and that can be difficult and tedious to do. My advice is | | | | scrolls as you assemble your design. This allows you |
| to purchase one package of 1/8 inch multi-colored | | | | to dry fit the pieces and make any adjustments |
| strips which will cost around $3. You will appreciate the | | | | before gluing. |
| variety of colors you have to choose from as you | | | | * Ruler. You will usually want to measure the length of |
| make your first designs. | | | | your paper strips so you can create shapes that are |
| 2. Glue. Any good quality white tacky craft glue that | | | | uniform in size. Quilling patterns will tell you the length of |
| dries clear will work fine. Over time you will notice | | | | the strip needed to form each coil or scroll. |
| some slight differences and no doubt choose a | | | | * Tweezers. Some of the individual shapes you create |
| favorite, but for now, use what you have on hand. | | | | will be pretty tiny. You will find tweezers quite helpful in |
| 3. Curling Tool. You need to use something to help you | | | | achieving perfect placement of your coils and scrolls |
| curl your paper strips. A corsage pin, hat pin, round | | | | into your quilling design. |
| toothpick, needle quilling tool, or slotted tool can all be | | | | That's it. You now know the three essential quilling |
| used. To use the pins, toothpick, and needle tool, you | | | | supplies you'll need to get started, plus some other |
| will make your curl by rolling the paper strip around the | | | | tools that are not essential, but nice to have. So gather |
| center shaft. A slotted quilling tool grabs the end of the | | | | them together and enjoy the art of quilling. |
| quilling strip and you curl the paper by turning the | | | | |