HOW TO MAKE QUILLING

Learning Objectives

Identification:

    * Students will learn about paper quilling and the art of rolled paper. They will also investigate patterns and forms found in nature.

Historical:

    * Students will talk about paper quilling. Intricate paper rolling work was a hobby in the 18th century.

Creation:

    * Students will create a work of quilled art.

Appreciation:

    * Students will learn to appreciate the art created not only by them, but by others as well.

What You Need:

    * paper shredder (optional)
    * scissors or a paper cutter
    * construction paper (various colors)
    * glue
    * string
    * cardboard


What you Do:

   1. Discuss paper quilling and its history (see resources below)
   2. Shred paper in shredder ... children love to help.
   3. You could instead cut construction paper into thin strips - about 1/2" wide
   4. Give children a handful of paper and let them practice making a tight roll.
   5. Children can make a tiny fold at one end of the paper, and roll it all the way to the end.
   6. Encourage your students to let go of the spiralled roll a little, so there is a little space between the turns of the roll.
   7. The rolls can be secured with glue.
   8. Rolls can be round or oval in shape. Round rolls can be pinched at either end to make flower petal shapes.
   9. You can make many other shapes by pinching the roll in different areas.
  10. You can glue shapes together to make flowers, insects, animals ... etc.
  11. It is important to assemble the rolls on the cardboard so that the spirals are visible, not the edge of the roll.
  12. Students can also hang rolls from bits of string (a mobile perhaps?) or glue them to a pin back or barrette.  

Tips:

http://www.kinderart.com/crafts/quilling.shtml

   * Work that is more delicate in nature can be done with narrow 1/8" strips of thinner paper.

This paper can be rolled on a toothpick and pinched into elaborate shapes.

    * You can keep the quilled work looking fresh by spraying it with a mixture of glue and water -- 80% water -- 20% glue. You can use hairspray as well. (Make sure you test a small piece of paper first to see if the colors bleed before you spray the entire piece.)