Quilling Guide - An Introductory Guide to Quilling

<p>In this quilling guide I will give a short introduction to this craft, discuss what equipment you need and describe how you can start producing your own quilled designs. The beauty of quilling is that it is suitable for a range of skill levels, from beginner to advanced, so once you have mastered the basics you will be well on your way to producing your own simple designs.</p><p>Let's look then in the first part of this quilling guide at what the craft is and how it has developed. Quilling (or paper filigree) is the art of rolling thin strips of paper, manipulating them into shapes which are then glued onto paper or card into designs such as flowers, animals, scenes or patterns. The resulting pictures can be simple, or highly complex and ornate. The craft dates back centuries, possibly to ancient Egypt. It was taken up by French and Italian nuns in the 16th and 17th centuries. It subsequently became popular amongst wealthy ladies of leisure during the Stuart, Georgian and Regency periods. Its popularity has grown again during recent times across a range of people.</p><p>You need little in the way of equipment for quilling; the main essential items you need are thin strips of paper (you can purchase specially cut paper for quilling), something for coiling your paper (toothpick, needle or special quilling tool) and some glue (any white glue that dries clear is fine). There are a variety of colors and thicknesses of paper available for different effects.</p><p>Finally then, in this quilling guide, let's take a brief look at what you need to do to start making your first quilled designs. The starting point is to roll your strips of paper into tight or loose coils. These can then be manipulated into a variety of shapes. By putting these shapes together you can make a huge variety of designs and patterns.</p><p>It can help before you start your coil if you dampen the end of the strip as this will allow the paper to roll around the needle or tool more easily. Tight coils are made by tightly wrapping a paper strip around the tool and gluing the end immediately. Making a loose coil starts the same way, but you allow the coil to relax a little before gluing the end.</p><p>Once you have mastered the basics you could try more elaborate shapes or try shapes of your own. Try combining shapes to see what designs you can create.</p><p>How you like the opportunity to amaze your family and friends with intricate and ornate quilled designs? Visit this <a target="_new" href="http://www.squidoo.com/quillingguide" rel="nofollow">Quilling Guide</a> to find out more. Get more quilling inspirations at <a target="_new" href="http://quillingadventures.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Adventures in Quilling</a>.</p>