Quilling Supplies and Tools

When you first start quilling, the only thing you need is strips of paper, a slotted quilling tool, and glue. But, as you progress to more advanced projects, you will find that some tools make your work more enjoyable. Here’s the scoop:

Quilling Supplies: Quilling Paper

Most quilling projects use strips of paper that are ⅛” wide, though they can be as small as one sixteenth of an inch. The ⅜” and ¼” strips are used for fringed flowers and roses.

You can make your own quilling paper by using a paper cutter to slice office paper into skinny strips. But most people buy their quilling paper because they are quite affordable. Store bought quilling paper comes in all colors. You can choose a multi-color pack or a pack that has shades of the same color. Graduated quilling strips start off with a dark color and then fade to white. Two tone quilling paper have a different color on the front and back of the strip. You can also find gold, silver and metallic colors.

• buy quilling paper here

Glue & Toothpicks

Almost any kind of glue that dries clear will work. Glue that is not too runny and dries quickly is bonus. If possible, get a bottle with a narrow opening so you can dispense the tiniest amount of glue possible. Alternatively, squeeze some glue onto a piece of scrap paper and use the tip of a tooth pick to spread the glue.

• buy narrow tip glue dispenser here

Slotted Quilling Tool

Probably, the one thing that you must buy is a slotted quilling tool. This is a handle with a metal stick inserted in one end. the metal stick has a small cut (slot) where you can hook the quilling paper. For a beginner, this tool is a must have.

As you become better and better at quilling, you may wish to get a quilling needle. A quilling needle is skinner and has no slot. You roll the quilling paper right onto the needle itself. It’s a little more tricky, but projects made with a quilling needle look better because the central hole is smaller.

• buy slotter quilling tool here

Fringer

When you are ready to make fringed flowers or fancy leaves, you will need to cut the quilling paper crosswise many times to form a fringed edge. This can be done with scissors, or you may get a fringer. It looks like a stapler but when you press down, it cuts your paper and then advances it automatically.

A fringer is a luxury tool since it costs $40 to $50. If you’re making one flower, then cut the paper by hand; but, if you intend to make many fringed flowers, then a fringer is a great tool which gives fast and consistent results. Fringers can cut the paper at a 90 degree angle (cuts perpendicular to the length of the paper) or at a 45 degree angle (slanted cuts).

• buy quilling fringer here

Paper Crimper

A paper crimper is a tool which you may find useful in other projects as well as in quilling. This hand held device will crimp your paper to give it a corrugated look. The crimped paper gives the quilling more volume and adds texture to the project. Other designs exist, but the corrugated impressions are most useful in quilling.

• see examples here (watermelon, paisleys)
• buy quilling crimper here

Tools for Husking

When you make eccentric coils or huskings, then you will need straight pins and a cork board to work on.

A quilling cork board is a great working surface but if you don’t want to spend money on a cork board, you can also use a piece of corrugated cardboard or a piece of styrofoam – they works just as well.
 

Pearl-head straight pins can be found in fabric stores and places which offer sewing supplies. Pins can help you move the layers of paper to one side when making eccentric coils. The quilling paper is wrapped around the straight pins when making huskings.
 

A circle template is a plastic sheet with circular holes cut out of it. The circles vary in size. Place your twirled paper inside the circle and allow the it to expand to the size of the circle. Having loose coils of equal size will allow a more even and uniform project.
 

A quilling husking board is like a cork board, pins, and circle template all in one. It is a peg board with holes organized in various configuarions. The board can be used to make huskings.

Tools for Spreuer or Combing

A quilling comb is a somewhat specialized tool. It is an onion holder and it is used to make spreuers (flat, leave shapes). The tines of the comb hold the paper in place as you create the shapes. If you don’t want to buy a quilling comb (onion holder) you can also use a regular comb.

More Quilling Supplies & Stuff

Tweezers help pick up coils and scrolls without squishing them. There are all sorts of tweezers: self-closing tweezers, curved, and straight tweezers.

Fine tip scissors allow for accurate cutting.

A bead box can be used to keep coils and scrolls so they don’t get lost. This is particularly important if you need to make numerous coils before they are assembled into a larger unit.

Quilling Patterns give you ideas on what and how to make quilling projects. You can also copy patterns with tracing paper, graph paper, a ruler, a compass or a protractor to accurately reproduce a pattern. Or you can buy kits which provide themed .

Quilling kits are all-in-one packages that contain the essential quilling supplies mentioned above (except the glue).