Quilling is the ancient art of paper filigree. Common quilling designs are snowflakes and similar patterns that radiate from a central point. To glue the small, quilled shapes into perfectly aligned symmetrical forms, you can use a grid template. Although you can buy quilling grid templates ready-made, you can make your own with some basic office supplies. The trick is to space the lines perfectly and cover the grid with a clear sheet that glue will not stick to.
- Skill level:
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Things you need
- Graph paper
- Permanent marker
- Small cork notice board
- Waxed paper
- Straight pins
Draw a circle with a compass in the middle of a sheet of graph paper. Use a permanent marker. Make the circle with a 2-inch diameter. Draw three more concentric circles, each 2 inches larger in diameter than the last. You will have four circles total.
Draw two perpendicular lines using a ruler that cross at the centre point of the circles. These lines will divide the circles into four equal sections.
Use a protractor to draw four more lines that divide each large section into three smaller sections. Each section will be a 30-degree angle. Now you have six lines that all cross at the centre point and divide the circles into 12 equal sections.
Place the sheet of graph paper on a small cork notice board. Cover it with a sheet of waxed paper. Pin them to the board at their four corners with straight pins. Your quilling grid is ready to use. Align the radiating pieces along the straight lines and use the circles to keep the rows equal.
Tips and warnings
- You can trace asymmetrical quilling patterns onto graph paper and use them under the waxed paper instead of the grid template.
- If you accidentally use too much glue on your quilled piece, the waxed paper may tear and stick to your artwork. Use as little glue as possible.
- Instead of waxed paper, you can use a plastic sheet. Glue sticks less easily to plastic. You can cut up a document protector or use recycled plastic packaging, such as the type scrapbook stickers come in.
- If you need many grid templates, such as when teaching a group, you can use recycled cardboard instead of cork notice boards.
- Do not let children handle stick pins. They have sharp points.
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