““I love quilling with my young daughter. We can’t wait to send out our homemade holiday cards this year.” ”
Historical Fiction Author, and Editor of Pride & Possibilities, Mindy Killgrove, shares tips for creating holiday gifts using the art of quilling.
It’s that time of year again. The hustle and bustle of holiday shopping season is upon us. But—perhaps you’re feeling like you’d rather create some homemade gifts for friends and loved ones than scour the stores, search online, or hunt through bargain bins to find just the right item. Taking the time to create a crafty present, using the art of quilling, might be something you need to try.
What is Quilling?
Quilling is an art form that utilizes small, thin bits of paper. These scraps may come from anywhere. If you’ve got old pieces of construction paper or cardstock lying about, consider recycling them for this project. Once the pieces of paper are cut into slender strips, they are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create designs that can be used for cards, pictures, wall décor, or even worn as jewelry.
It is difficult to determine when people first started doing this craft, but some claim that paper quilling originated as early as 105 CE in either China or Egypt. While different mediums were sometimes used (including metal filigree), an increase in paper quilling occurred during the Renaissance. The art became quite popular in the last half of the 1700s and stayed relevant throughout the Regency period. This way of creating ornamentation appealed mostly to ladies of the upper class who wanted to add decoration to items in the home including screens, cabinets, frames, coasters, and work baskets.
During Jane Austen’s lifetime, we cannot be sure if she spent time quilling. This hobby was often referred to as “filigree”. Throughout the day, when a young lady could practice playing an instrument or complete a bit of needlework, they might also opt to craft a filigree project.
Even though Jane Austen is not known for being an accomplished quilling expert, her characters do speak of the artwork in Sense & Sensibility.
In chapter twenty-three, Lucy Steele attempts to make a filigree work basket for Anna-Maria Middleton. Elinor Dashwood assists with this project. She says, “Perhaps…if I should happen to cut out, I may be of some use to Miss Lucy Steele, in rolling her papers for her; and there is so much still to be done to the basket, that it must be impossible, I think, for her labor singly, to finish it this evening. I should like the work exceedingly, if she would allow me to share in it.”
During a recent event at the Winter Park Library near Orlando, Florida, ladies tried their hands at quilling. Using just a tool and a few scraps of paper, they created crafts to take home and share with others.
Who Can Do It?
While Lucy Steele and Elinor Dashwood might have joined forces to create a work basket, there are plenty of other modern day uses for quilling crafts. Hope Howland-Cook, the Coordinator for the Orlando Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA), was enthusiastic about sharing this skill with others. After co-hosting a course on Quilling in September to a large group of participants, Hope said, “Janeites are truly excited that quilling is having a modern Renaissance. Because it is such an easy way to stimulate cognitive function, practice, and support fine motor skills; we are seeing it become a popular project for all ages! From kindergarten teachers using construction paper and pencils, to geriatric therapists encouraging creativity with their patients, this artform has so many modern applications.”
Some people like to make greeting cards from the leftover scraps of paper. Other distinctive quilling projects can be added to scrapbooks, used as an educational tool, or produced as one-of-a-kind home décor pieces. Anyone can begin learning how to quill and make something special after just one session. “I really enjoyed sharing a craft that is easy to learn the basics yet produces so many creative and detailed pieces of art,” said Lynn Derrick, Social Outreach Coordinator for the JASNA Orlando Region. “My first piece was made in the class that I took. Everyone’s final project looked unique and beautiful.”
Quilling for Beginners Tip: If you’ve got access to a paper shredder, use it! Cutting strips can be tedious work, so if you can, make the process easier by allowing the shredder to create neat, straight lines for you.
What Do I Need to Get Started?
“Quilling is a great craft to pick up. You only need a few tools, and you can even use materials around the house if you don’t want to purchase anything.” Denise Kohmetscher, Social Media Director for JASNA Orlando Region, suggests starting small and using items that are easy to obtain.
Basic Supplies:
- Paper Strips
- A Quilling Tool (or a couple of toothpicks)
- Glue
- Scissors
Other Useful Items Include:
- Tweezers
- Ruler
- Quilling Comb
- Cork Board and Pins
Hope appreciates the versatility of these projects and ease with which a person can find the tools to get started. She says, “I love that I don't have to purchase any special equipment. I can use paper scraps, pencils or even my finger to roll and shape. However, with the increase in recent popularity, the traditional equipment is so cheap and easily accessible, that you can purchase anything you need quickly, and it will last for ages.”
Anyone can quill. It might take a little time to work through the steps, but children and adults can all do these projects together.
How-To Quilling Instructions
Step One: Choose a piece of paper or cardstock you’d like to use as a background to build the work of art upon.
Step Two: Using one strip of paper, create the basic coil. (It is okay to buy pre-cut strips of paper. You may use any texture or color you like for your own project or gift.)
Step Three: Glue the outside end of the paper to itself while it is still attached to the slotted tool or while it is still wrapped around the toothpick. Use glue sparingly. Too much will result in a goopy mess. (It will be helpful if you have at least two toothpicks handy. The first may get glue on it, while the second can be used as a needle-like tool.)
Step Four: Wait for the glue to dry (several seconds) before carefully removing the coil of paper from the tool or toothpick.
Step Five: Set aside the roll of paper and allow it to dry. Then, pinch the coil into the shape you desire.
Step Six: Glue the back of the paper to your cardstock work surface.
Step Seven: Continue this process until you have created a special project.
Denise encourages first-time users to go slowly and stick with the process. She says, “After one lesson learning the different coils and allowing yourself to do some practice, you can create really simple, but pretty homemade gifts or decorations.”
“When you think about how time-consuming this craft was in Jane Austen’s time it is mind boggling that they quilled at all. The cutting of all the paper strips in a uniform size had to be a task all in itself.” After just one lesson, Lynn Derrick created this card to give to her husband for Valentine’s Day. Note the quote from Jane Austen’s work she was able to incorporate into the project.
Give a Gift or Save the Artwork for Your Own Collection
The beauty of devoting time to learning this new skill is that the products won’t go to waste. People of all ages, including children, can spend an afternoon crafting together and even produce something lovely. More importantly, this type of accomplishment is relatively easy to grasp. Hope says, “The finished product can look professional, but many people don't realize that it is so easy to learn! We were able to teach ourselves, so that we could host a class for others. It's that simple.”
So, whether you’re looking for something to do while spending an afternoon indoors or you need a fun arts and crafts project to keep family members, kids, or friends occupied during the holiday season, consider creating quilling crafts. Each participant will be able to showcase their colorful, bright projects after only a short time, and they might even want to share or trade their work with others.
Mindy Killgrove
Mindy Killgrove is a cozy mystery, historical fiction, and romance novelist. She is the creator of the Riley Roundtree Social Story Learning Adventure Series for children. Killgrove has penned more than fifty full-length novels, forty short stories, and dozens of children’s books. She lives in Orlando, Florida with her supportive husband and three rambunctious but beautiful children. She is an enthusiastic Janeite who is overjoyed to serve as the editor of the Pride & Possibilities newsletter and share her love of reading and writing with everyone she encounters.
Pride & Prejudice: A Historic Commemorative Edition
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, we are proud to launch the first publication of a Jane Austen novel since 1833 to feature and introduction by a family member.
This special edition includes:
- Introduction by Caroline Jane Knight, Jane Austen's fifth great niece
- Text from the celebrated 1894 Peacock Edition
- Personal reflections from Jane's family, Foundation ambassadors and supporters
- A beautiful wrap around cover and illustrations specially commissioned for this project
Experience Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy's timeless romance while discovering how Jane's work continues to inspire readers across the globe more than two centuries after publication.
All proceeds to the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation.
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December Book Club Read: Epiphany by Jessie Lewis
Having returned to London in December 1811, Mr. Darcy is appalled to learn that his meddlesome cousin, Anne de Bourgh, has set out for Hertfordshire to visit Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Her mission? To rid Elizabeth of any “false hopes” she may have about marrying him. But Anne’s plans soon take an unexpected turn as she begins to insert herself into local society — even attending balls alongside the infamous George Wickham.
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