Quilling paper comes in a variety of colors and widths; most of our projects can be made with standard precut strips. If you prefer, use a paper cutter and medium-weight paper, such as vellum or stationery, to make your own; construction paper is too heavy and will not roll easily.

Tools and Materials
Don't let the elaborate effects fool you: Quilling is simple. You need only a few basic craft items.

Clockwise from Top Left
A round-headed pin is useful for precise glue application.

A slotted quilling tool lets you create coiled shapes with ease.

Fine-pointed tweezers are essential for tiny shapes.

Use small sharp scissors to cut fringe.

Making Shapes
Experiment with basic techniques before starting a project.

Below, clockwise from top left: tight circle, connected scrolls, open heart, V scroll, S scroll, C scroll, teardrop, marquise, loose scroll, loose circle

Tight Circle
Slip paper into the slot on the quilling tool, placing paper���s end flush with edge of slot. Turn tool until strip is rolled into a firm cylinder. Remove paper from tool, and glue closed.

Loose Circle
Create a tight circle, but do not glue. Instead, lay it on a flat surface, and let it expand. When satisfied with the shape and size, glue the end of the strip to secure.

Loose Scroll
Form a loose circle, but do not glue closed.

Marquise
Fashion and glue a loose circle; pinch each end.

Teardrop
Create and glue a loose circle; pinch one end.

Connected Scrolls
Make several loose scrolls; position with unrolled ends pointing the same way. Curve each over rolled end of next scroll; glue.

Open Heart
Fold a strip in half, and crease. Roll each end toward center.

V Scroll
Crease paper at center; roll ends outward.

S Scroll
Form an S shape by rolling one end toward center, and the other in the opposite direction.

C Scroll
Roll both ends of a strip toward the center.