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Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Free Quilling Instructions Coil Shapes

There have been many questions about making the basic quilling shapes that I have received lately, so I thought that I would revisit the basic coil shapes here. You can click here if you have questions about cutting your own paper strips.

You can click on the picture to see a larger image of the basic coil shapes. I will explain how to create the following shapes: Tight Coil/Tight Roll/Peg, Loose Coil, Teardrop/Raindrop, Marquise/Marquis/Eye Shape, and Heart. These were all made with 4 in (10.2 cm) strips in 1/8 in (.3 cm) wide paper.

free quilling coil shapes instructions


Some helpful hints:
  • Use a ruler to measure the length of your strip to get uniform lengths.
  • It is generally recommended that you tear instead of cutting your paper. The reason for this is that the tearing creates a feathered edge that blends and is not as noticeable as a cut line.
  • When making a shape that you pinch, try to pinch at the point where the piece is glued and/or try to align the glued portion to where you join two or more quilled elements.
  • Always begin your quilling by first conditioning the paper. This is done by running your fingernail or needle tool or similar along the end of the strip. The paper will begin to curl as the fibers are broken down.
  • White glue is best, before all of the choices with the growth of paper crafting, elmers glue was used and those quilled beauties are still glued together.

Tight Coil/Tight Roll/Peg Shape
  • This shape is called by many names in different patterns, so I have listed the more common ones
  • Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
  • Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
  • Keep an even tension, pulling the paper as tight as possible. You want the final shape to be very tight.
  • Keep the edges of the wound paper as even as possible. This prevents creating a little pop-up in the center of your shape. Some people will call this a belly or a tornado.
  • When you get to the end of your strip, pull the coil off the tool. If using the slotted tool, it is easier if you turn the slotted tool approximately 1/4 turn in the opposite direction before pulling the paper off.
  • Carefully glue the end of the paper, using just a small amount (dab) of glue.

Loose Coil Shape
  • Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
  • Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
  • Keep an even tension. For this shape do not pull as tightly, keep a looser tension so that the shape will open up when pulled off the tool
  • Keep the edges of the wound paper as even as possible. This prevents creating a little pop-up in the center of your shape. Some people will call this a belly or a tornado.
  • When you get to the end of your strip, pull the coil off the tool. If using the slotted tool, it is easier if you turn the slotted tool approximately 1/4 turn in the opposite direction before pulling the paper off.
  • After pulling the paper off, let the coil open up
  • Carefully glue the end of the paper, using just a small amount (dab) of glue.

Teardrop/Raindrop Shape
  • Start with the Loose Coil and pinch the glued end, creating a point on one side and leaving a rounded end opposite the point
  • When pinching use thumb and index finger

Marquise/Marquis/Eye Shape
  • Start with the Loose Coil and pinch both the glued end and the opposite end of the coil
  • Pinch one end then the other while holding the pinched ends one in each hand. This helps to create a more even shape.

Heart Shape
  • Start with the Loose Coil and pinch the glued end creating a point
  • While holding the pointed end in one hand, press the rounded end in with a fingernail.
  • This creates and indentation creating the heart shape.

I hope you find this helpful and this will encourage you to try quilling.

Enjoy!
Copyright for personal use Antonella DeFalco

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Friday, January 25, 2008

Free Quilling Pattern Lovey Dovey Birdhouse

Today's free quilling pattern is a heart filled birdhouse that I like to call the "Lovey Dovey Birdhouse." I gave this card as part of a housewarming gift.



This is done in a very perky Spring-like design and is done in a style that I like to call "adornment quilling". Adornment quilling on this project refers to the fact that I have added quilling to my paper pieced birdhouse embellishment.



If you are new to quilling, please click to learn the basics of quilling and to learn to make the basic quilled shapes that are assumed you know how to do in creating many of these designs.

I simply cut a 1.5 inch x 2 inch yellow rectangle and added a pretty pink roof. For added design, I added a strip of pink in the center to make this a 2 story birdhouse. I glued these elements in place before I added the quilling.

Starting at the roof-top and working our way down, this is what I've done.

Roof:
  • 3 - 3 inch (7.62 cm) teardrops
  • 1 - 3 inch (7.62 cm) tight coil
  • 2 - 3 inch (7.62 cm) loose coil (like a quotation mark)
Second Floor:
  • 2 - 3 inch (7.62 cm) open hearts
  • 1 - 3 inch (7.62 cm) tight coil
Middle Level:
  • 2 - 3 inch (7.62 cm) S-Scrolls
First Floor:
  • 2 - 3 inch (7.62 cm) open hearts
  • 1 - 3 inch (7.62 cm) tight coil
Add this to your Valentines Day card for a special child or loved one. If you are a scrapbooker, this is a perfect embellishment for your page. The great part about all of this is that it isn't too bulky so it won't make your page too lumpy.

Enjoy!
Copyright for Personal Use Only Antonella DeFalco


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Sunday, January 20, 2008

Quilling Inspiration Michelle Ewart 's Art

I was reading through my online friend Jolie's Blog and read one of her "Wondrous Art Wednesday" posts and I came across this artist Michelle Ewart. I really loved her work and I think that you too will love it. Check out some more of her work by clicking here.

Michelle Ewart

She has a great use of color and lots of swirls and designs. Perhaps Michelle says it best in her profile
"My art ranges from the whimsical to the curious. What almost always seems to come through is a love of color, line, and movement."
I know you will find this shocking, but her work and this print reminds me of quilling. As you know, it does not take much, any time I see swirls or flowers or iron work or sometimes just about anything it reminds me of quilling. I love my cell phone, because now I can take a picture of things that inspire me... I just wish the pictures came out better :-)

So, I thought that it would be a good day to be inspired and to share this great find.

I hope that you too will look at everyday items a bit differently and let them inspire you either by their form, color or design.

Enjoy!
Copyright Antonella DeFalco

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Sunday, January 13, 2008

January Quilling Patterns

Welcome to the January 2008 Accord Quilling Calendar Pattern Listing

I am providing you a list of all the patterns and the name of the artist who graciously allowed Accord to print them.

January 2008 Accord Calendar Projects

  • 1st - Party Hat (Artist: Suzzy Howard)
  • 2 - Wooly Hat with PomPom (Artist: Jane Cleveland)
  • 3 - Snowman (Artist: Cathy Schlim)
  • 4 - Snow Star (Artist: Cathy Schlim)
  • 5 & 6 - Snowflake (Artist: Donna Del Giudice, President NAQG)
  • 7 - Winter Abstract (Artist: Donna Del Giudice, President NAQG)
  • 8 - Ear Muffs and Stocking Hat (Artist: Cathy Schlim)
  • 9 - Mittens (Artist: Rita Anderson)
  • 10 - Snowflake (Artist: Rita Anderson)
  • 11 - Penguin (Artist: Deborah Hartin, www.deborahhartin.com)
  • 12/13 - Snowshoe Inspiration Piece (Artist: Deborah Hartin, www.deborahhartin.com)
  • 14 - Reindeer (Artist: Gail Freed)
  • 15 - Sleigh (Artist: Gail Freed)
  • 16 - Skis and Poles (Artist: Suzzy Howard)
  • 17 - Snowman with Hat (Artist: Pat Meetze)
  • 18 - Ice Skate (Artist: Gail Freed)
  • 19/20 - Wine Glass Charms Inspiration Piece (Artist: Susan Harl Custer)
  • 21 - Fancy Flower (Artist: Sheryl Scott, www.simplyelegantcreations.net)
  • 22 - Hat and Mittens (Artist: Nancy Klarer)
  • 23 - Art Deco Palmette (Artist: Tracy Belair Gaito, www.joiadesign.com/bean)
  • 24 - Pinwheel Flower (Artist: Sheryl Scott, www.simplyelegantcreations.net)
  • 25 - Early Art Deco Lily (Artist: Tracy Belair Gaito, www.joiadesign.com/bean)
  • 26/27 - Geometric Design Inspiration Piece (Artist: Patricia Caputo, www.whimsiquills.com)
  • 28 - Distelfink Bird (Artist: Cathy Schlim)
  • 29 - Picture Corners (Artist: Karen Frantz)
  • 30 - Pastel Border (Artist: Patricia Caputo, www.whimsiquills.com)
  • 31 - Border (Artist: Patricia Caputo, www.whimsiquills.com)
I have the pleasure of knowing many of the artists who have shared their quilling with us in January. Cathy Schlim has provided so many patterns for this calendar and she also has a book that she has published (check her out on ebay), Pat Caputo is well known in quilling circles and has an online store with great products, Donna Del Giudice is the current president of the NAQG, Jinny Alexander is known for her Jinnisans and is a published author.

I bet you can't wait to try these projects!

FYI: Most weekend days there are examples of quilling that they call "Inspiration Pieces" these items do not have instructions for creating them that are provided, but they are examples to give you ideas of ways you can use your quilling. These pieces are generally a bit more complex than the other patterns that are provided.

Enjoy!
Copyright Antonella DeFalco

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