Challenge 1 - September 2010

I couldn't resist waiting  for 1st of September to post this challenge. Hence posting it 2 days early :).
So here's your very first monthly quilling pill -

Create a bookmark making maximum use of tight coils. You may use other coils, but they must be less in number than the tight coils.

Checkout Tutorial 1 to learn about tight coils.
The challenge will close on 20th Sept(9.00 a.m IST)

Tutorial 1: Making tight coils

In this tutorial, I will show you how to make tight coils.These are the simplest of all shapes.
Step 1:
Take the quilling strip having desired length and width in one hand and quilling tool in other(prominent hand).
Step 2:
Insert a tiny part of the strip's end into slot of the quilling needle holding the strip between the thumb and the index finger such that the needle rests on the index finger as shown in the figure below-

Insert tiny part of strip's end in needle slot

Step 3:

Start rolling the needle across the paper length maintaining the tension using your thumb and index finger

Start rolling

Maintain tension using thumb and index finger

Step 4:
Remove the coil from the needle and pull its free end gently to make sure that it is tight.
Step 5:
Put a small quantity of glue on the free end of the strip and stick it to close the coil.

Put small amount of glue of free end and stick it

Your tight roll is ready. You can make a lot of variations by putting your imagination to work :)

Finished tight roll

Tutorial 0 : Introduction to paper quilling

Paper quilling, also known as paper filigree, is an ancient art of creating beautiful designs by using paper strips. The coloured paper strips are rolled over a needle to create coils. These coils are then shaped and glued to form various patterns.

In this tutotial, I am going to introduce you to the various materials required for quilling.

Types of Paper

Various materials used in quillling

1) Quilling papers - You get a variety of pre-cut quilling strips in market with various widths too (3mm, 5mm, 10mm). You can also cut your own quilling strips. However the paper has to be of right thickness. Paper thickness is measured in gsm (Grams per square meter). Higher the gms value, thicker the paper. Ideally 100 to120 gsm should be good for quilling.

If you are new at quilling, would suggest you to buy a pack of quilling strips so that you don't run out of patience.

Quilling strips are available in various types like- Plain/solid color, Graduated, Two tone, Pearl, Metallic, Acid free and many more.

Slotted needle quilling tools

2) A pair of good scissors

3) Glue -You would need a fast drying clear glue. PVA glue / White craft glue works great. I prefer glue bottle with a nozzle. It helps in better glue application. You can use a toothpick or a thin brush too.

4) Quilling needle tool - This is optional and you can do fine without it too. You can roll the paper using your fingers only. But needle tool, especially the slotted needle tool is good for beginners.

Here is a close up of the slotted needle tool.

5) Quilling Comb - This is also an optional tool used for husking or creating wheatear coils.

6) Crimper machine - This is used for creating crimped paper i.e giving paper ridges and waves texture.

These are some of the basic materials used in quilling. So gather your supplies and get ready to learn and participate in the monthly quilling challenges.

What's this blog about???

This blog is a monthly dose of quilling for those who want to learn quilling and for those who already know quilling but don't know what to quill or want to enhance their quilling skills.

In this blog, a new quilling challenge would be put up every 1st of month. A winner would be chosen at the end of 20th of month. I won't be able to give any prizes/gifts to the winner as I don't have any sponserers, but the winner's work would be displayed in the "Winner of the month" section and his/her name would be added in the Hall of fame.

For those who wanna learn quilling, the challenges will contain tutorials too.

So, looking forward for your active participation. If you have any suggestions, please leave me a comment or drop me an email on - takeaquillpill@gmail.com