Kick Start Your Quilling - A Guide to Supplies and Tools

Flashback 2 years- as my niece's first birthday approached, I wanted to make her something unique and personal that she could treasure. I then went back to my original Creative Pinterest board for inspiration. Within, I found the world of quilling. It was fascinating and challenging and I had unlimited time (I was working freelance at the time.)

I started as I usually do, creating a new board and started searching all corners of the Web. Here's the results:

Within that board, you will find all you need, all information free and places to find the best supplies.

Supplies- what you need, you don't need and other alternative and cheaper options. Finding all your supplies is not as easy as just going to Michael's Craft store. Back when I was on the hunt- only place to find some (not a lot) of supplies was online and at AC Moore- but my AC Moore has since closed. So here I will post the things you will need to kick start your quilling art. These things are the ones that I needed or found extremely helpful while creating.

You will need to invest in a starter tool set. The tools you definitely need are:

The slotted tool is a MUST- this is how you curl your paper. There is no other easy way to do.

 

The needle tool is very useful for getting those fine details perfect. I also use my x-acto knife in the same way.

Fine-tip tweezers come in handy. A pair came with the tool set I bought (below). The way the tips are designed, they are great for working with small pieces of paper. 

• Or you can by This set on Amazon - Quilled Creations Beginner Quilling Kit for $18.51. It includes: slotted tool, needle tool, fine-tip tweezers, sizer ruler, quilling paper, craft glue, instructions.

• This will be essential in cutting your paper while you are working on your project. Why not just use scissors? Well you are working with tiny pieces of paper very close together. When you are cutting your paper, yes, scissors. But when you start gluing down and realize you need a piece to be shorter- x-acto knife to the rescue! 
• I not only used this knife to cut paper on the cork board, but because of it's size and shape, it worked to position some pieces when they were in tight spaces. I would line the blade with the paper and shift it to where it needed and used sewing pins to keep it in place. Don't forget to check the depth of your cork board because this will cut through. It wont damage it- but it will damage the surface under it.
• I bought mine from Michael's years ago. Similar to this one on Amazon with a Safety Cap for $5.90. There are probably cheaper options. Mine did not come with a safety cap, so now I tape the blade when I am storing it.

• Cut your own? Don't- I've gone through countess tutorials, blogs, articles and tips people have given and tried most of them. One of the most important things I learned through many trials, was the need for using actual quilling paper. Some people say you can make your own- slicing different weights of paper. Learn from my countless hours of trying- stick to quilling paper. I invested in a paper cutter (below) and tried all different weights of paper and card stock. I was able to get it very close to quilling paper. HOWEVER, it was so similar that I couldn't understand why my strips weren't working. My self-cut paper would not hold the way it should. When applying glue, it would ripple and not hold the smooth texture. It took me several days of playing with it to realize that I was using my paper. Once I switched back to quilling paper- all those issues went away. Save time and money- just buy quilling paper. 
• I've used all different brands and colors and haven't seen a noticable difference, as long as it is branded as 'quilling paper.'

• Some kits come with glue- I've tried many. Here are some tips:
• Do not get re-positional or flexible glue- it makes everything bendy and will not keep the shape you want.
• Don't use stick glue- it's not precise enough to do the work you are using it for.
• You can try a regular glue bottle but this requires making a 'pallet' to dip your paper or your tool then apply it to paper. It is practical for teeny tiny spots but it dries after time and creates a pile of dry glue.I use Elmers Extra Strength Glue Pen (the thicker one, not the one that is almost as thin as a pen, you will go through that in a day)- This one works best for me to be exact (right).

• You absolutely need a ton of pins. This is what will hold your work in place while you are still working on it, and especially while it is drying. 
• I liked the color tipped ones- they were easier to place and remove than the ones without ball tips. 
• You can find them anywhere- on Amazon- 150 Ct. Multicolored Sewing Pins w/ Premium Original Cushion Quality for $8.99, or at Walmart -350 ct Color Ball Point Pins for $4.60

• This template board will make all your shapes the same size. It makes it easier to make them uniform. Personally, I only used this when making things from tutorials. My finished product was done completely free-form.
• You can find this on Amazon - Quilling Circle Template for $10.69.

• A sheet of cork board is important. You will need the space and freedom to move it around. 
• The one I used, I actually had laying around- it was part of one of those wall stick-ons that come with a whiteboard stick on. It was the perfect size and weight. Similar to-This Quartet Corkboard Bulletin from Amazon for $5.54. 

• The cutting mat- every crafter should have one! It protects all your furniture from your craft adventures. This also is important for when you need to used an x-acto knife to make precision cuts. 
• Check out this Fiskars 12x18 Cutting Mat from Amazon for $13.99. You can find better quality and different sizes on Amazon, Michael's Craft Store and more. There are also self-healing ones as well as heat resistant like this Fiskars Heat Resistant Silicone Craft Mat from Amazon for $21.99.

• You will want to cover your cork board with clear wrap. This is so when you start gluing, your paper will stick to the plastic instead of the cork. The plastic comes off easy and if it is really stuck, you can you your x-acto knife, or just leave it, seeing as it is clear. I used normal kitchen saran wrap.