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:

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 slotted quilling tool and quilling needle 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 paper crimper here

Cork Board, Pins, and Circle Templates When you make eccentric coils or huskings, then you will need straight pins and a cork board to work on. A 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 - it 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. buy quilling circle template here and here

Quilling Comb

Though somewhat specialized, a quilling comb or an onion holder is needed when you do combing. The tines of the comb hold the paper in place as you create the shapes.

More Stuff Tweezers help pick up coils and scrolls and fine tip scissor allow for accurate cutting. Some people keep their coils and scrolls in small containers or a bead box 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. If you are copying a pattern, you may want to use 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 patterns.

• learn how to quill
• see simple quilling projects
• go to tools and supplies page
• see gallery