DIY: Colorful Hanukkah Crafts Shine a New Light on Quilling
Create gorgeous paper filigree using only thin strips of colored paper and tiny dots of glue
Quilling, or paper filigree, is the art of coiling and shaping narrow paper strips to create intricate designs. A completed quilled project may look complex, but the basics of this intriguing paper craft are actually much simpler than they seem. With a little practice, quilling can be a satisfying and enjoyable way to spend quality time with loved ones. So why not gather around the table and get quilling this Hanukkah?
Quilling has been around for hundreds of years and may even date back to ancient Egypt. During the Renaissance, gilded paper remnants were used to imitate costly gold filigree. In the 18th and 19th centuries, quilling became a pastime for upper-class English ladies, who would decorate tea boxes, mirror frames and even pieces of furniture with paper filigree. American colonists brought the practice across the Atlantic and decorated their homes with quilled paper-embellished candle sconces and decorative trays. The term “quilling” may have been adapted in America because the colonists used the tip of their goose quills to roll the paper.
Today, the process is much the same, though with the shift from the ubiquitous cream-colored paper to brighter hues, quilling has never looked better. Because of the wide availability of simple quilling supplies, and artisans around the world who have kept the craft alive, quilling has evolved from an elite pastime to a hobby that is accessible to all.
Supplies
Notes: Buy quilling paper that’s already cut, or measure and cut your own with a ruler and a rotary cutter, craft knife or paper cutter. Quilling tools are useful for the avid quiller but not necessary for the beginner. The projects shown here were made without any special tools.
- Strips of paper (standard quilling paper is ⅛ inch wide; these projects use ⅜-inch strips cut from A4 sheets of colored card stock)
- Toothpicks and pencil
- White glue or high-tack glue
- Bristol board or any white or cream cardboard
Notes: Buy quilling paper that’s already cut, or measure and cut your own with a ruler and a rotary cutter, craft knife or paper cutter. Quilling tools are useful for the avid quiller but not necessary for the beginner. The projects shown here were made without any special tools.
Quilling Basics
1. Moisten your fingers slightly. Curve one end of a paper strip around a toothpick or curl the end onto itself. Use your thumb and index finger to apply pressure and roll the paper back onto itself to create a small circular disc.
2. Once you come to the end of the strip, or the coil is the desired size, use a toothpick to dab a small amount of glue on the underside of the end of the paper strip (the tail). Hold for 20 seconds. To make a relaxed coil, release the end so that the coil expands slightly and then affix the end. To make a very relaxed coil, allow the paper to naturally expand to its limit and then enlarge the circle by separating the rows if necessary.
3. Shapes like some of those shown in the next photo are achieved by simply pinching a relaxed coil into the desired shape.
4. Arrange your shapes as desired and either glue pieces together to make two-sided ornaments or glue them to your desired base. Be sparing with the glue to avoid soggy or warped results. Remember to hold the pieces together for 20 seconds.
1. Moisten your fingers slightly. Curve one end of a paper strip around a toothpick or curl the end onto itself. Use your thumb and index finger to apply pressure and roll the paper back onto itself to create a small circular disc.
2. Once you come to the end of the strip, or the coil is the desired size, use a toothpick to dab a small amount of glue on the underside of the end of the paper strip (the tail). Hold for 20 seconds. To make a relaxed coil, release the end so that the coil expands slightly and then affix the end. To make a very relaxed coil, allow the paper to naturally expand to its limit and then enlarge the circle by separating the rows if necessary.
3. Shapes like some of those shown in the next photo are achieved by simply pinching a relaxed coil into the desired shape.
4. Arrange your shapes as desired and either glue pieces together to make two-sided ornaments or glue them to your desired base. Be sparing with the glue to avoid soggy or warped results. Remember to hold the pieces together for 20 seconds.
Basic Quilled Shapes
1. Loose coil. The loose coil is the basic shape from which many other shapes are made. After coiling a tight circle, release the end, slightly allowing the circle to expand to the desired size. Apply glue to the tail and hold.
2. Circle within a circle. Make a coil by wrapping a strip of paper around a pencil. Remove the resulting doughnut shape from the pencil and release the end to expand. This shape is the result. Apply glue to the tail.
3. Marquis. Make a loose coil and pinch on opposite ends. The final shape is determined by how much the coil is pinched or pressed together.
4. Teardrop. Place a loose coil between the thumb and the forefinger of your nondominant hand. Arrange the inside coils evenly or as you wish them to appear in the finished shape. Press the coil slightly between your fingers and, if necessary, use a toothpick to arrange the inner coils so that they are evenly spaced. With your dominant hand, pinch the coil where you want the point to be, creating a teardrop shape. Glue the tail and trim excess paper.
5. Flame. Using one continuous strip, make a teardrop shape with two layers by looping the strip around twice, and then make a third outer teardrop that’s much larger than the first two. Glue the layers together at the tip, glue the tail and trim excess paper. Pinch the outer teardrop into a point to form a diamond-like shape.
6. Double teardrop. Start with a teardrop shape and affix a second strip of paper (in another color) to the point. Make concentric teardrops, allowing space between each layer.
7. Comb. Quilled shapes can be made by weaving paper strips on the teeth of an everyday comb. See the explanation below.
8. Pointed comb. The strip is made as described below, and the ends are pinched to form points.
9. Scroll. Simply roll both ends of the strip to the middle and allow them to relax. To obtain a scroll with a tightly coiled center, apply glue where necessary. A scroll can be S-shaped, as shown here, or U-shaped.
1. Loose coil. The loose coil is the basic shape from which many other shapes are made. After coiling a tight circle, release the end, slightly allowing the circle to expand to the desired size. Apply glue to the tail and hold.
2. Circle within a circle. Make a coil by wrapping a strip of paper around a pencil. Remove the resulting doughnut shape from the pencil and release the end to expand. This shape is the result. Apply glue to the tail.
3. Marquis. Make a loose coil and pinch on opposite ends. The final shape is determined by how much the coil is pinched or pressed together.
4. Teardrop. Place a loose coil between the thumb and the forefinger of your nondominant hand. Arrange the inside coils evenly or as you wish them to appear in the finished shape. Press the coil slightly between your fingers and, if necessary, use a toothpick to arrange the inner coils so that they are evenly spaced. With your dominant hand, pinch the coil where you want the point to be, creating a teardrop shape. Glue the tail and trim excess paper.
5. Flame. Using one continuous strip, make a teardrop shape with two layers by looping the strip around twice, and then make a third outer teardrop that’s much larger than the first two. Glue the layers together at the tip, glue the tail and trim excess paper. Pinch the outer teardrop into a point to form a diamond-like shape.
6. Double teardrop. Start with a teardrop shape and affix a second strip of paper (in another color) to the point. Make concentric teardrops, allowing space between each layer.
7. Comb. Quilled shapes can be made by weaving paper strips on the teeth of an everyday comb. See the explanation below.
8. Pointed comb. The strip is made as described below, and the ends are pinched to form points.
9. Scroll. Simply roll both ends of the strip to the middle and allow them to relax. To obtain a scroll with a tightly coiled center, apply glue where necessary. A scroll can be S-shaped, as shown here, or U-shaped.
How to Use a Comb to Make Quilled Shapes
Many basic quilled shapes are made by starting with a coil, but you can also make a great-looking shape by weaving a strip of paper on a comb. There are many ways to use a comb to create interesting shapes for quilling. Experiment with this shape and then come up with your own.
Wrap the end of a paper strip around four center teeth of a comb. As you make concentric rounds, skip two teeth on each end. Secure the tail with glue and gently slide the shape off the comb.
Many basic quilled shapes are made by starting with a coil, but you can also make a great-looking shape by weaving a strip of paper on a comb. There are many ways to use a comb to create interesting shapes for quilling. Experiment with this shape and then come up with your own.
Wrap the end of a paper strip around four center teeth of a comb. As you make concentric rounds, skip two teeth on each end. Secure the tail with glue and gently slide the shape off the comb.
How to Make Multiple-Strip Scrolls
Multiple-strip scrolls look amazing and are quick to make. Use the same color for all the strips or use a mix that works with your design.
1. Stack five strips and join at one end by applying dots of glue under the top four strips. Set aside to dry.
2. Put a small drop of glue on the joined end to keep the rolled center tight. Roll to the middle point of the strips.
3. As shown in photo above, separate the layers by sliding the topmost layer to the right slightly and continue with successive layers as necessary. The strips will then be staggered on the left-hand side, as shown in the photo. At the center point, glue the layers together by applying dots of glue under the top four strips.
4. Fold the piece in half at the glued center point by bringing both sides up to form a V.
5. Add a dot of glue to the inside of the V’s point, and then pinch and coil slightly.
6. Coil the straight ends on the left side of the V to form the shape shown in the photo.
Multiple-strip scrolls look amazing and are quick to make. Use the same color for all the strips or use a mix that works with your design.
1. Stack five strips and join at one end by applying dots of glue under the top four strips. Set aside to dry.
2. Put a small drop of glue on the joined end to keep the rolled center tight. Roll to the middle point of the strips.
3. As shown in photo above, separate the layers by sliding the topmost layer to the right slightly and continue with successive layers as necessary. The strips will then be staggered on the left-hand side, as shown in the photo. At the center point, glue the layers together by applying dots of glue under the top four strips.
4. Fold the piece in half at the glued center point by bringing both sides up to form a V.
5. Add a dot of glue to the inside of the V’s point, and then pinch and coil slightly.
6. Coil the straight ends on the left side of the V to form the shape shown in the photo.
Quilled House Gift Box
Supplies
Shapes (each shape is made from a single strip)
Directions
1. Cover the flap or front of the box with blue card stock. Affix with glue or double-stick tape.
2. Make the quilling shapes listed above, arrange them on the box as pictured and affix them with glue. The magenta marquises are inserted into the center of the flames.
3. Cut a strip or two of blue card stock to form the triangular roof. Glue in place.
Supplies
- Small cardboard shipping box
- Blue card stock
- Glue and double-stick tape
- Quilling strips, ⅜ inch wide by 11⅝ inches long, cut from an A4 sheet of card stock in blue, orange, yellow and magenta
Shapes (each shape is made from a single strip)
- 1 loose coil in blue
- 8 flames in orange
- 8 pinched combs in yellow
- 8 marquises in magenta
Directions
1. Cover the flap or front of the box with blue card stock. Affix with glue or double-stick tape.
2. Make the quilling shapes listed above, arrange them on the box as pictured and affix them with glue. The magenta marquises are inserted into the center of the flames.
3. Cut a strip or two of blue card stock to form the triangular roof. Glue in place.
Quilled Hanukkah Dreidel
Supplies
Shapes (each shape is made from a single strip)
Directions
1. Draw a dreidel on Bristol board and cut out.
2. Make the quilling shapes listed above, arrange all (except the scroll) on the dreidel as pictured and affix them with glue.
3. Apply glue to the edge of the dreidel and carefully apply blue strips to the perimeter to form a frame.
4. Glue the scroll in place as shown.
Supplies
- ½ sheet Bristol board (A4 size) or any white or cream cardboard
- Quilling strips, ⅜ inch wide by 11⅝ inches long, cut from an A4 sheet of card stock in blue, orange and yellow
- Glue
Shapes (each shape is made from a single strip)
- 1 loose coil in blue
- 8 flames in orange
- 8 pinched combs in yellow
- 1 S-shaped scroll in blue
Directions
1. Draw a dreidel on Bristol board and cut out.
2. Make the quilling shapes listed above, arrange all (except the scroll) on the dreidel as pictured and affix them with glue.
3. Apply glue to the edge of the dreidel and carefully apply blue strips to the perimeter to form a frame.
4. Glue the scroll in place as shown.
Quilled Hanukkah Menorah
Supplies
Shapes
Directions
1. Make the quilling shapes listed above, arrange them on the Bristol board as pictured and affix them with glue.
2. Apply glue to the edge of the Bristol board and carefully apply blue strips to the perimeter to form a frame.
Supplies
- 1 sheet Bristol board (A4 size) or any white or cream cardboard
- Quilling strips, ⅜ inch wide by 11⅝ inches long, cut from an A4 sheet of card stock in orange, yellow and blue
- Glue
Shapes
- 2 multiple-layer scrolls in orange
- 1 double teardrop in magenta and orange
- 8 marquises in magenta
- 8 combs using 2 strips of blue paper joined lengthwise (small candles)
- 1 comb using 3 strips of blue paper joined lengthwise (center candle)
- 4 S-shaped scrolls in blue (arch sides)
- 2 U-shaped scrolls using a ½ strip of blue paper each (arch center)
- 2 long U-shaped scrolls in blue (candle base)
Directions
1. Make the quilling shapes listed above, arrange them on the Bristol board as pictured and affix them with glue.
2. Apply glue to the edge of the Bristol board and carefully apply blue strips to the perimeter to form a frame.