Paper quilling ideas made by rolling strips of paper
Paper quilling is a craft made by combining parts created from thin strips of paper rolled up tightly.
It is said to have originated with European nuns, who created it to decorate religious items.
The name comes from the quill—the bird feather shaft—around which the paper was originally wound.
In this article, we’ve gathered ideas for paper quilling featuring cute, uniquely spiraled designs.
We also recommend arranging beautiful petals into bouquets or using them to decorate message cards.
Be sure to check out these paper quilling pieces that add a touch of elegance to home decor and gifts.
Paper quilling ideas made by rolling paper into coils (1–10)
Rose
Would you like to make a rose using paper quilling, where you roll strips of paper? First, use a quilling tool to roll the part that will become the center of the flower.
From there, keep rolling while folding the paper inward to create the shape of the rose.
After you finish rolling the folded section, fold and roll again, repeating the process until it reaches your desired size.
Roses are useful in many situations, so it’s handy to remember how to make them.
Try making them in your favorite colors and use them for gift decorations, wall art, or as accents for handmade accessories.
cherry blossoms
Here’s an idea for cherry blossom paper quilling, a classic symbol of spring.
First, cut pink paper into strips, wrap each strip around a thin rod, and roll it up.
Shape the coil into a teardrop and glue it, then press the rounded side inward to form a heart.
That’s one petal—make five identical petals.
Once you’ve made five, glue them together to complete the cherry blossom! Using these for spring wall displays or hanging decorations will make the space look very festive.
The method is simple, so it’s an idea that children and older adults alike can enjoy trying.
creeping plants
Vines are often used as part of decorations.
This time, we’ll introduce various ways to make vine motifs.
The basic method is to roll the paper once and then deliberately loosen it a little, but you can also add design flair by layering several sheets before rolling, or by using a longer strip and rolling it from both the top and bottom.
When layering paper, using different colors will create a colorful finish, giving the vines a striking, almost starring presence.
A quilling tool with a slotted tip is handy when rolling the paper.
For gluing fine sections, a quilling squeeze bottle works well.
Butterfly
Just roll and paste! Try making a simple paper quilled butterfly.
In this idea, you’ll create the upper and lower wings separately.
Use paper strips all 1 cm in height; for the upper wings, use one strip each from 9–20 cm in length, and for the lower wings, one strip each from 7–12 cm.
Stack the strips in order with the shortest on top, glue them together at the center, and fold back 1 mm at both ends outward.
Starting from the innermost strip, fold the turned-back sections toward the center and glue to form the wings.
Once the upper and lower wings are finished, glue them together, attach the antennae in the center, and wrap a thin strip around to secure everything.
Done!
ping pong mum
Ping-pong mums are flowers in the chrysanthemum family and originate from the Netherlands.
They’re known for their round, sphere-like shape.
Here’s an idea for making ping-pong mums with paper quilling.
Cut paper into strips, fold each strip in half, and make fine cuts along the folded loop.
Once you’ve made the cuts, roll it up tightly to form the flower.
For the leaves, roll another piece of paper, shape it into a half-sphere, and attach two of these together.
Finally, glue the flower and leaves onto a paper stem to complete the piece!
heart
Let me share a simple, easy-to-make heart idea.
Roll a thin strip of paper into a loose circle, then press the top and bottom to make an oval.
While holding the oval, push the right side firmly inward and the heart is complete.
It can be hard to press with your fingers, so a needle or other thin tool is handy.
Combine five small hearts to make a flower, and if you place two with the indented parts facing outward, they might look like a butterfly.
It seems like you can create all sorts of things depending on how you combine them.
poinsettia
When it comes to Christmas flowers, poinsettias are the classic choice.
Let’s make a poinsettia using paper quilling.
Use a coarse hair comb or similar tool to create four elongated ovals.
Layer and glue them together, then wrap paper around the outside and secure it.
Make five of these and arrange them into a flower.
Create three sizes—large, medium, and small—using the same shape, glue them together with a slight offset, and finish by adding a rhinestone in the center.
Besides red and green, red and white or blue and white also give a nice seasonal feel and are highly recommended!
plum blossoms
Let’s make plum blossoms, which have flower meanings like “faithful” and “noble.” Wrap strips of paper, cut into narrow ribbons, around a toothpick or branch-like stick to create each petal one by one.
First, make square pieces from white paper, then shape them into plum petals; once shaped, attach red paper to the outside.
After gluing all the petals together, add a gold bead in the center to represent the pistil, and your plum blossom is complete.
You can glue it onto a backing to create an artwork, or use it as a component for small items and accessories.
sugar confectionery
Let’s make small, cute parts and motifs that look just like sugar candies.
Using milky-colored construction paper, we’ll create a variety of elements such as tight coils, marquises, teardrops, and fringe flowers.
By combining them, you can form motifs like flowers, leaves, and hearts.
Even with the same motif, the feel changes depending on the parts you use, so be sure to try out different combinations.
If you place the parts and motifs you’ve made into a small accessory storage case, they’ll look adorably like sugar candies.
clover
Let me share an idea for making a clover using teardrops.
A teardrop is a basic quilling shape made by pinching one side of a loose circle to create a crease, then pulling the center in the opposite direction to form a teardrop.
First, make six teardrops.
Glue two together to form a heart, and make three hearts in total.
Glue the three hearts together at the center, attach them to a stem made by folding a strip of paper in half, and your clover is complete.
Try using it in an interior frame or on a message card.
Because a clover is a simple motif, it’s easy to incorporate into all kinds of projects.