Drawing, painting and punching shapes on paper is guaranteed fun with kids, but once we let our imagination jump off the paper's flat surface, it gets exciting. Quilling, or paper filigree, is a three dimensional paper art that uses coils of paper to make an intricate design. It dates back to the Renaissance so share this bit of history with the kids and get twirling.
What you need:
1 8-1/2 x 11 plain paper (for card)
1/4” strips of paper (colors and/or pattern of your choice)
glue (Aleene’s quick grab is best; it also dries clear)
scissors
pencil
Basics:
This project is the much simpler version of quilling so we can get the children (and us, the novice) involved. Quilling paper is available, however, we will use construction paper since you probably have it on hand. First, a few basic pointers. When quilling, control the tightness of the curl by the amount of pressure you put between the paper and the edge, and the speed of running the edge through. The harder you press and the quicker you run it through, the tighter your curl. Remember that when you have the straight edge on top of the strip, the curl goes upward and downwards when you run the straight edge on the underside. For this exercise, we will always be curling with our straight edge on top of the strip.
Here’s how to make simple quilling shapes:
Tight or loose coil: Run edge making sure it’s perpendicular to the strip, all the way to the end.
C-coil: Grasp the strip in the middle (but do not crimp.) Make a coil on both ends of the strip in opposite directions. Try to make them equal in size and tightness.
Heart: Fold a strip in half then curl both ends in opposite directions. Try to make each lobe equal in size and tightness.
Teardrop: Make a heart then let one lobe curl over the other.
S-coil: Hold at the midpoint of your strip. Curl one end from midpoint to end. Then, flip over and curl the other end in the opposite direction.
Spiral: Hold your edge on the strip at an angle (like holding knitting needles) and run through.
Project:
Fold your background paper in quarters. Lightly trace a pattern or design on the front. It doesn’t have to be in the middle. Sometimes, asymmetry is interesting. Set aside.
Let your child pick their pattern and palette. Let them start curling the strips of paper. The blunt edge of safety scissors (closed) can be used to do this. Based on their design, fill large areas with tight coils. You can use a specific coil shape to mimic natural shapes such as the teardrop or heart shapes as petals or leaves on a flower. A spiral can be used for a stem or any other long shape, or use the shape for what it is-- like a heart. Let your imagination fly.
Once you have all the strips curled, apply glue to the pattern and put the curls, edge down, on the glue. Work fast; the paper adheres to the glue quickly. Let dry.
Give yourself a pat on the back, you crafty kid. You just created an age-old piece of art. These make great picture frame embellishments or greeting cards. Just make sure that, if you have to mail it, the envelope is padded.
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*For inspiration and history on quilling click here.
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