History of Quilling: Know about the Paper Quilling Art

The beauty of paper quilling art has found a resurgence in recent years owing to its intricate beauty and versatility of designs. Although the history of quilling is very old, this concept has become popular and functional in the contemporary DIY culture. Moreover, paper quilling art or paper scrolling is also an enriching hobby that can be very therapeutic and creatively stimulating for the person who practises it. 

What Is Paper Quilling

Paper quilling art entails the curling, rolling and twisting of thin paper strips in order to combine them together to create fascinating designs.  This is a super versatile art form that allows the artist to experiment endlessly in terms of putting together various designs. 
When you search for the quilling meaning, you will recognise that it derives its essence from birds’ feathers. This is because, in ancient times, hollow quills offeathers were used as quilling tools feathers were used as quilling tools. 

 

If a person was to go through the history of paper quilling, there would be inconclusive answers with regard to the genesis of this craft. Some consider it to have originated in China after paper was invented and some claim the art is from Egypt. However, it is widely believed that Renaissance Europe could be the birthplace of this mesmerising craft form. As history states, European nurses used to practise this technique to decorate their books in the 18th century. Gradually, people especially women from well-endowed families recognised the paper quilling art as a great way to stimulate their minds and keep themselves occupied. (1)

Paper scrolling has transcended the barriers of time and space over centuries and it has emerged as a fulfilling and enriching art form. The artefacts made from paper quilling are desired by people from all walks of life. 

Process Of Quilling 

In order to do paper quilling, you will have to undertake the following process:

• Get The Supplies Together 

Get the paper strips that you will be needing to begin the process. After that you can get the necessary embellishments, quilling tools, glue, scissors etc. 

• Choose A Design 

Look for a design that you wish to create. You can either borrow a design from somebody or create your own.

• Roll The Paper Around The Quilling Tool 

You can take the strip of paper and roll it tightly around the tool. 

• Make The Desired Shapes 

After removing the paper strips from the tool, you can make the shapes that you want once the strip loosens up a bit. 

• Secure The Shape Of The Paper With Glue 

You can secure the shape that you have created by applying some glue to the base or end of the paper. 

• Bring It All Together 

You can bring together the paper shapes according to the design that you chose. After that you can glue them all to make sure that the various paper shapes resonate with the design. 

• Add Finishing Touches 

You can add some beads and other embellishments to elevate the look of your design. 

Products Made From Quilling 

The popularity of paper quilling has reached new heights in modern times and today it has moved beyond being a craft or hobby. From paper quilling earrings to paper quilling rakhi for your sibling, today you can find a variety of products in this craft. 

Paperjewelz Feather Earrings by Vrinda

These dreamy earrings embody the beauty of the paper quilling art in a beautiful way. These versatile and vibrant pair of earrings can be paired with traditional and modern clothing alike. 

Plantable Seed Paper Pencils - Pack of 10

These colourful paper pencils come with seeds at one end that allow you to plant them once you have completely used the pencil. It comes in a pack of 10 that allows you to stock up on pencils in all colours. 

Elephant - Handmade Paper Quilling Kids Rakhi

This quirky kid’s Rakhi has been made with the paper scrolling technique and it looks every bit gorgeous and unique. Trust us, your kid is going to take an instant liking for this in no time. 

Conclusion 

The charming and intriguing art of paper scrolling has managed to amass a big fan following across continents and generations. From being used as a decorative art form to an admired hobby in the Victorian era, paper quilling has managed to thrive and stay relevant over time. With time, many techniques and designs have emerged, and this captivating art form has evolved into a more pleasing, versatile and creative craft that can be used for making greeting cards, jewellery, bookmarks, home decor items and various other things.  

FAQ

• What type of art is paper quilling?

Paper quilling art is a decorative and creative craft form that involves trimming, rolling and glueing together paper strips to create varying patterns.  

• What is the art technique of quilling?

The art technique of paper quilling involves the use of paper strips and a quilling tool to shake the strips into desired forms. Those shaped strips are then glued together to form a design. One can also add embellishments to make the design look even more attractive. 

• Where did quilling originate?

This art is beloved to have originated in Renaissance Europe where many nuns and monks used this craft form to decorate their books from trims of paper. Having said that, it is important to note that some historians believe that paper scrolling finds its genesis in ancient Egypt around the 15th century BC. 

• What cultures have used quilling?

Many cultures such as Egyptians, Europeans, British, Chinese, Japanese and Americans have used the technique and mastered the skill of paper quilling.