How to cut strips quickly for quilling

The best known tool is a smooth handle with a long point and a split in the center that serves as a “starting point” for twisting. A strip is inserted into it, and the tool is scrolled in your hand, winding the paper strips. Together with a standard tool, use toothpicks, the writing part of a ballpoint pen, or an awl.

A tool for quilling can easily be made from a wine cork and a needle with a broken off eye. The second easiest to make and use is the hole-pattern ruler. It will help you make rolls of the same diameter, and modules of equal size.

Size of strips for quilling

So, having bought a few dozen sheets of the required density, equip the workplace for cutting strips of the desired width. Under 4-5 sheets of paper stapled at the edges with staples or binders, you need to put a sheet of plywood, and on the paper. a template with markings of the desired width, (it can be printed on a printer) the most common.3 and 10 mm.

To the lines of the template attached a metal ruler and, strongly pressing, cut the sheets into strips.

Having prepared the necessary number of strips of different colors, it is better to store them in boxes or files, dividing them by color. The ruler, so that it does not slip on the paper during cutting, you can glue the bottom with a not wide tape of plaster. Some quillingistki use for the preparation of strips, for example, 3 and 5 mm wide, machines for the production at home of noodles. Of course, you can also cut strips with scissors, a mini-shredder, on the cutter.

Corrugated paper does not need to unfold, it is cut as a loaf. It takes a lot of time to prepare the strips yourself, and the cost savings from this are not very noticeable either. Twist tight and loose rolls from prepared strips. Tight obtained by tightly twisting the paper strip on an awl, a needle or a toothpick, followed by fixation of the resulting shape with glue. For free rolls, the strip is rolled up loosely, and they can be given a variety of forms, after which they must also be fixed with glue. The product will look original, if rolls of different shapes are used. Volumetric quilling is very popular, as, using it, we get crafts with a 3D effect.

Quilling for beginners: how to make a drop

The basic element of quilling. the drop. To create it, you need a minimum of materials: a strip of paper of the required width and a quilling tool.

The procedure for its creation is as follows:

• One edge of the strip should be twisted with a nail or ruler.
• Slide it into the slot of the quilling tool and start twisting it tightly into a roll.
• Remove the workpiece and slightly flatten it (the size of the drop depends on the degree of flattening). Fix the loose end with glue.
• Gently squeeze the workpiece with your thumb and forefinger from one edge, forming a sharp end.

Additional elements in quilling

We took apart three basic elements, but if you are considering how to make simple quilling and more serious crafts, it is better to get acquainted with other details. Let’s look at a few more variations of the elements:

• Above we learned how to make a simple spiral. But that was the way to make a tight roll. For a large piece the ready spiral has to be slightly untwisted to the right size. By the way, to get the right diameter you can help with a ruler, which we talked about in the materials. Take into account the fact that the tight roll on the surface can be glued, and the loose need to work with glue only in the center and along the edges. After gluing, the center of such a spiral can be directed in any direction, so the future craftwork will be even more beautiful. In the future we will take this dissolved roll as a base.
• The droplet can be rolled even more beautifully. Roll a spiral, making it flattened on one side. Bend at a sharp edge. For convenience you can use a pencil. You can bend the drop on both sides as well. So, we have a beautiful month.
• You can make a heart. We use a roll for this. On one side, squeeze it, and, on the other side. Press through in the center.
• If necessary, you can make a variety of geometric shapes. For a triangle, twist a strip of paper. We dissolve and add three corners to the obtained circle. You can also roll a diamond. Create what looks like an eye, then press the sides of it this way. To form corners on the sides. And here is an oval done very simply, just neatly press the sides of the circle.
• The square is made by pressing on the circle from four sides.
• Now let’s make a semicircle. One side of the circle simply make a flat. From such figures you can obtain a bell, just enough to press harder on the corners.
• The following figures will help you to detail the ready picture. A semicircle can be used to make an onion. Flatten it on the opposite side from the flat.
• You can also make a star. A simple one is just like a rhombus, but a five-pointed one is a bit more complicated. We add five corners to the spiral.
• There is another way to make unusual elements. For this method we twist a tight roll. Do not glue the end. Slightly open the piece and give an oval shape. We dissolve the spiral, we obtain a figure with interesting curls inside. It is ideal for making flowers.

Based on the shapes we have considered, it becomes clear that the principle of quilling is to create details with your imagination. Curl, bend, and create crafts.

Using all these elements, you can make any picture, such as a butterfly. But first let’s consider quilling crafts for beginners step by step with photos and instructions.

Paper strips

The main part in the work is the selection of quality material. paper. There is a large number of manufacturers, with a mass of colors and shades. Their main difference is the width of the strips (there are from 2 mm to 1 cm) and the density of the sheet.

For convenience, it is recommended for beginners to buy a special set for this kind of needlework and use the average size of strips. This includes a basic kit with all the materials and diagrams for making various designs.

You should know that the performance of high-quality figures affects the density of the paper, it depends on it:

• How plastically it will behave when bending and twisting;
• Whether the deformation of the made elements will occur;
• In the process of twisting products can happen.

The density of cardboard is characterized by the weight in grams per square meter of paper material. For example, a suitable option for the work is a material whose density is between 120 grams per square meter and 140. The rest of the numbering has some flaws in the work.

Also, training can take place with individually cut paper ribbons from 20 cm to 50 cm long, using colored double-sided paper. Of course, you can make the slices yourself, spending enough time, or you can use a special machine.

Quilling Strips Battle : Let’s compare which method is better & learn how to make quilling strips.

Flower

Quilling for beginners (it is not necessary to create schemes for simple works, all details can be arranged “by eye”) may seem difficult if you choose contour or bihave technique to create 1 work. There is no need to be in a hurry. Working with simple, classic parts, will allow the novice craftsman to learn how to create neat modules of size 1.

Flower, in this master class will consist of only 2 basic elements. To achieve volume and beauty, the product will help parts of different sizes.

What you need for the work:

• green cardboard;
• compasses;
• scissors;
• PVA glue;
• Yellow and orange double sided paper.
• On the cardboard, using a compass, draw a circle about 12 cm in diameter. This will be the substrate to which the parts are glued.
• Glue the ends of the 5 yellow strips together. Twist this tape into a tight roll.
• Glue them to the center of the board.
• Glue 4 orange strips into a long ribbon. Curl a loose roll and shape it into a drop. Make 4 of these modules.
• Glue 2 orange strips, twist free roll, shape into a drop. In total, you will need to make 4 such parts.
• Glue all the drops around the core of the flower. The sharp tips of the parts should touch the middle of the flower. Large elements should be alternated with smaller ones.

Tools for cutting

To make the strips for quilling with your own hands, you need special tools. The cutting process will become much easier if you buy a ready-made set for creativity. But you can dream up and make it yourself from improvised materials that can be found in any home. However, there is such a tool, which will be difficult to replace with anything. First of all, this is a self-healing mat, which is very convenient to use. Thanks to him not to spoil the furniture and every time you do not need to look for a place on which to cut strips for quilling. Another very handy tool is a round knife or stationery knife, which can easily cut the prepared sheet of paper.

Scissors are also used, but it will take much more time, and the effect will be slightly worse, since they break the ends. Be sure to need a ruler to measure and guide the fishing line to the right distance.

The purchase of a special set for quilling, containing ready-made strips, simplifies the process of forming crafts, without spending time on the cutting. Before making a purchase, you should know what kind of paper for creativity in quilling. All of them have very different characteristics. When choosing, attention is paid to such parameters:

• from classical to non-standard shades;
• Monochrome, with a toning effect (one side is darker than the other), with a gradient (varies in length);
• Distinction based on texture: shiny, matte, pearly, metallized (gold, silver).

The main characteristic of quilting strips is the coloring in the cut.

Compositions of kits for creativity are not always the same. Distinguish kits consisting of:

For each work, the material is selected, based on preferences and creative idea. For beginners, it is better to take the first works with a minimum number of colors.

Length

The length affects the size of the performed element, respectively on the scale of the product. An experienced craftsman will determine the diameter of the spiral formed by using a strip of all, half or a third.

The length varies from 20-75 mm. Standard 30 cm, they make spirals of 12-18 mm in diameter. The use of long papers makes the creative process time-consuming, they are cut into pieces as needed. It is better to buy quilling sets with strips of needed length.

Width

Standard width 2-15 mm. Most often, to create crafts in the technique of papermaking, are used segments in the range of 3-5 mm. For making individual elements you may need other sizes (narrow or wide), which are rarely on sale. They are made on their own.

Paper density

An important parameter that affects the plasticity of the strips and what can be made of them. Measured in grams per meter.

To create paper crafts use material with a density of 80-160 g/m2. It is easy to work with 120 g/m2 paper. It is elastic, resistant to kinks, well hold their shape.

Strips with other indicators have disadvantages:

• Thick paper creates breaks and often splits, and the elements are large and rough;
• Crafts made of thin paper do not hold their shape well, over time they distort, and spirals are hard to untwist.

Quilling ideas for beginners

We suggest that you start quilling by trying to make several pieces of equal size. If you master the technique of paper twisting, proceed to paintings.

Rolls and curls

This is the name of the basic elements in quilling. A roll is a tight roll into which a strip of paper is rolled, and the end is secured with glue.

To make a simple roll, take paper and cut a 3 mm wide strip. Twist the end around a toothpick or rod and continue twisting. Pick up the tip of the strip with tweezers, smear it with glue, and attach it to the roll. The tight roll is ready. It looks like a spiral and is the basic element of compositions in quilling.

To make an off-center (swirl) roll, grab the spiral with tweezers from the middle and glue one side.

From the tight roll you can make a number of more spirals:

• cone. the curls of the paper descend “staircase”;
• free spiral. let go of the paper a little, so that it slightly unfolds, and fasten the end;
• The oval. flattened on both sides of a circle;
• Drop. squeeze the paper from one end, forming a corner;
• eye. pull the spiral at both ends;
• triangle. make three corners on the spiral;
• square. you will need to clamp the 4 corners;
• month. an eye, bent on one side;
• petal. bend the drop from one side;
• heart. pull down a triangle;
• leaf. a flattened eye;
• flower. a figure with 4 angles, obtained by bending a triangle.

Another simple element is a curl. It is necessary for creating flower stems. Press the middle of the strip with your left hand. The place where a curl begins, press with the right hand to the blade of scissors. Shift the blade to the right with a sharp movement, without letting go of the strip. The end of the curl do not need to fix the glue.

When you have mastered the basic elements, proceed to forming simple compositions.

Flowers

If you glue the rolls on both sides of the paper strip, you get an imitation of phloxes or berries on a stem. Such pictures are present even in quilling for children, as they are simple and do not require special skills.

Take a strip of paper along the length of the proposed stem. Twist six rolls of the same color, but different tones (the rolls that are opposite each other should be the same shade). Distribute the finished spirals in pairs, filling them with the upper edge of the strip, and glue. Arrange the finished flowers on a base for the picture.

A postcard with one flower

Flowers are one of the easy elements of the quilling technique. You will need 6 strips of white and pink paper each.

The technique of making a postcard:

• Join the white and pink strips together and thread the end into a holder (attach it to the edge of a rod or wooden stick).
• Make 6 spirals, equal in volume.
• Press down the edges so that the rolls take the shape of a drop.
• Glue them in the shape of a flower.
• Place a bead or ball in the center.
• To imitate the leaves of a plant, twist two teardrop-shaped spirals of green paper.
• Arrange the elements on a prefabricated base and fasten with glue.

The card is ready. You can give it to relatives for a holiday: such a gift, made with their own hands, will please everyone.

Butterfly

A simple pattern, made from basic elements. You will need:

Make paired elements in the same shades. Glue the modules together and attach them to the base.

White snowdrops

An easy picture that requires making several snowdrops. The basic elements for the flowers. the cone and the eye. Make a cone of green paper (sepals), make drops of white paper (petals). For one flower you will need 3 drops. Insert them into the cone and fasten.

Make 5-7 flowers. Cut out the outline of the basket from paper and glue it to the base. Make stems out of green strips and attach buds to them. Additionally, decorate the card as you wish.

Goldfish

A picture made of red, orange and yellow paper. Before you begin, draw the outline of the fish on the base. It is better to take a blue background, imitating the water surface.

Now make a series of elements:

• drop (the eye is placed in it);
• orange with red and yellow “eyes” for the body and tail;
• triangle for the crown;
• curls to decorate the tail.

Distribute the finished modules in the outline of the picture. Fill the body with orange and yellow “eyes”, place a drop in front and glue a bead inside. Decorate the tail with scrolls.