Paper Quilling Tools and Basics

Luckily, you only need a few tools to start quilling paper. With these tools, you will be able to get the stunning detail needed when making these paper crafts. Even the most delicate fingers are too big to twirl the paper the way it needs. However, that's not to say your hands aren't just as important! You will need your fingers to pinch the quilled paper into shapes. The basic tools you will need include quilling paper, a slotted quilling tool, scissors, and glue. Though, some additional tools will come in handy for some designs, such as a quilling needle, tweezers, cutters, pliers, quilling combs, quilling sizing boards, plastic forms for shaping, molds, and crimping tools.

Quilling paper is very thin and comes in different sizes.You can get 1/16", 1/8", 1/4", and 3/8", as well as other custom sizes. You can always cut the paper yourself, as well. For that, you will need a paper cutting board, a straight edge, ruler, and utility knife. Because quilling paper is so thin, it usually comes in packs. You can get these packs in one color, primary colors, or shades of a certain color. This is helpful for each project. When you are just starting, it's probably best to get a pack that has a variety of colors to choose from.

Above is a sample of a circle shaping board. Many different shaping boards are available, in plastic and wood. These boards help you to form shapes, such as circles, squares, triangles, hearts, teardrops, and so on. These boards are very helpful to have so that your quilled shape stays that shape. There are also 3D forms and molds for more advanced projects.  

The main tool that you will need is the quilling slotted tool. This has a small slot that holds the paper, making it easier to roll. Another tool that will come in handy is the quilling needle tool. This tool is similar to the slotted tool (the second image above), the needle is long and thin, and there is no slot. This tool is helpful to curl paper in different ways. The quilling tweezer tool (the first image above) is a sharp, thin needle tool that will help you grab the paper and move it as needed. You can use any type of tweezers you'd like, but the more precise the needles are, the better. Similarly, pliers can help move, crimp, and shape the quilled paper.  

In order for the edge of the paper shape to stay and for the whole shape not to unravel, you will need adhesive. Any paper glue will work, but a fine tip is necessary for precision. In most cases, you only need a tiny bit to secure the end. 

Read the paper quilling instructions to know what tools you will need before you start or purchase all of these tools.

Cut the quillng paper to the desired size. Slide the paper into the slots of the slotted tool. Roll the very edge of the paper over the metal to get the rolling started. Slowly roll the paper by holding the tool with one hand and the paper with the other. Once the paper is quilled, slowly and carefully remove the circle from the tool. 

After you've carefully removed the shape you just made, dab a small amount of glue on the outside end to hold it in place. Then place the shape it in the desired hole of the board you're using, as shown above. Let it relax and sit for several minutes. When you remove it, the shape should be complete, as shown below.

These paper quilling tutorials are our readers' favorites on AllFreePaperCrafts. The list includes easy to more difficult projects, so start with number one and move down the list. Sit back and enjoy your new quilling hobby!

1. How to Quill Paper

2. Quilled Balloon Paper Birthday Card

3. How to Quill a Paper Butterfly

4. 2-for-1 Tent Card Tutorial

5. Quilled Flowers Card

6. Quilled Heart Homemade Valentines

7. Lovely Quilled Heart Flower Card

8. Tight Coils Quilled Heart

9. Pretty Quilled Vase and Teacup

10. Frosted Ice Quilled Snowflake