How to Make a Square With Paper Quilling

Paper quilling is a simple but elaborate art that used coiled and scrolled thin paper strips to create a mosaic style artwork. It is called "quilling" because the first artists used feather quills to turn the paper into coils. A square paper quilled shape is made from the loose coil, one of the most basic shapes. The square can be used to create a wonderful checkerboard border by alternating black and white squares.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Waxed paper
• Slotted quilling tool
• Quilling paper
• Quilling template board
• Quick drying glue

Instructions

1. Trim a piece of quilling paper to 3 inches.

2. Condition the quilling paper you have chosen by rubbing it through your fingers several times.

3. Insert the end of the quilling paper into the slotted quilling tool.

4. Begin turning the quilling tool, spinning the paper into to a coil. Remove carefully.

5. Place the coil into the template board and let it rest until it is the appropriate width.

6. Glue to tail end to the coil so it makes a complete loose circle. Let dry completely on waxed paper.

7. Pinch one corner of the circle with the forefinger and thumb to create a teardrop shape.

8. Pinch again in the opposite corner, which makes a marquise diamond shape.

9. Pinch the next two opposite corners at the same time, creating the four corners of the square.

10. Use the square quilled shapes with other shapes to decorate invitations, cards, tags or scrapbooks.

Tips & Warnings

• Different lengths of quilling paper--such as 4 inches or 5 inches--will create larger or denser squares.

• If your fingers can not pinch the ends without flattening the square, try using your fingernails.