Embellish handwritten poems, messages, and family photographs with intricate combinations of quilled shapes. The scroll, the marquise, the tight circle, and the teardrop are all easy to master; quill the shapes first, and then combine them to create borders. Or draw a border design and curl strips of paper to match.

To design a frame, create a freehand pattern that incorporates several of the basic shapes in the glossary. Alternatively, purchase a published pattern, many of which are available in clip-art books.

Here, we arranged a series of fleurs-de-lis, each made from three V scrolls of graduated sizes, and one teardrop. Form and glue individual shapes, using the pattern as a guide. Then use a ruler to draw a rectangle on the card. Dab points of glue on undersides of quilled shapes and position them, standing on edge, along the pencil line. Hold in place for 15 seconds to allow glue to set.

To learn how to make other quilled shapes, go back to the Quilling How-To.