What Exactly is Paper Quilling?
Paper quilling — also called paper filigree — is the art of rolling thin strips of paper into coils, shaping them by hand, and arranging them into decorative designs. The results can range from a simple flower to an elaborate mandala, a portrait, or an intricate three-dimensional sculpture.
What makes quilling so remarkable is how much detail and beauty can come from something as humble as a strip of paper. No machinery. No shortcuts. Just patience, a steady hand, and a great deal of love.
A Brief History of Paper Quilling
Paper quilling dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, when European monks and nuns would roll thin strips of gilded paper trimmed from the edges of books to decorate religious objects. The technique spread across Europe during the Renaissance, where it became a fashionable pastime among noblewomen who used it to embellish picture frames, cabinets and jewellery boxes.
Over the centuries, quilling found its way across the world — eventually taking root in South Asia, where artisans added their own cultural depth, colour and storytelling to the craft. Today, Sri Lanka is home to some of the most skilled quilling artists in the world, producing pieces that blend traditional technique with vibrant local identity.
The Tools You Need
One of the most beautiful things about paper quilling is how few tools it requires. To get started, you really only need three things:
- A quilling tool — a thin, pencil-like rod with a slotted tip that holds the paper strip as you roll it into a coil.
- Quilling paper strips — these come in various widths (typically 3mm, 5mm or 10mm) and hundreds of colours. Acid-free paper holds its shape best and won't yellow over time.
- Paper glue — a small amount of PVA or craft glue is used to seal coils and hold shapes in place once arranged into a design.
More advanced artists also use a quilling board (a foam mat with marked circles to help size coils consistently), fine-tip tweezers for placing small pieces, and a circle template ruler.
The Basic Shapes of Paper Quilling
Every quilling design — no matter how complex — is built from a small set of core shapes. Learning these is the foundation of the craft:
- Tight coil — the paper is rolled tightly and glued without releasing. Used for dots, centres and 3D forms.
- Loose coil — the paper is rolled, then allowed to expand before gluing. The most versatile shape in quilling.
- Teardrop — a loose coil pinched at one end. Used for petals, leaves and flames.
- Marquise (eye shape) — a loose coil pinched at both ends. Used for leaves, eyes and decorative borders.
- Square and rectangle — a loose coil pinched into four corners. Used for geometric patterns.
- Spiral — paper rolled loosely without closing the centre, creating an open spring-like coil. Used for vines and decorative accents.
A skilled artisan can produce dozens of these shapes in an hour — but arranging them into a finished piece that has balance, harmony and visual depth takes years of practice.
How Long Does a Quilled Piece Take to Make?
This is one of the questions we hear most often at Lush Crafts, and the honest answer is: it depends entirely on the complexity of the design.
A small quilled greeting card might take two to three hours. A medium-sized framed floral design typically takes a full day. An intricate quilled portrait or a large mandala piece can take anywhere from three days to over a week of careful, focused work — with hundreds or even thousands of individual coils, each shaped and placed by hand.
This is why every handmade quilled piece carries so much meaning. When you hold a quilled creation, you are holding hours — sometimes days — of someone's time, skill and care.
Why Quilled Pieces Make Such Meaningful Gifts
In a world of mass-produced products, a handmade quilled gift stands apart. It cannot be replicated by a machine. It cannot be rushed. Every coil was shaped by a real person who thought carefully about colour, form and detail.
At Lush Crafts, we believe the most meaningful gifts are the ones that carry a story. Whether it is a quilled flower card for a birthday, a personalised name piece for a new home, or a custom portrait for a wedding — each piece we create is a small, permanent expression of love and craft.
Paper quilling is also surprisingly durable. Sealed with a protective finish and kept away from direct moisture, a quilled piece can last for decades — making it not just a gift, but an heirloom.
Handmade in Sri Lanka, Shipped with Love
At Lush Crafts, every piece is made by hand in Kalmunai, Sri Lanka — using acid-free paper, vibrant pigments and techniques refined over years of practice. We create paper quilled greeting cards, framed art pieces, keychains, jewellery, home décor and custom orders for weddings, anniversaries and special occasions.
If you are curious about our work, we would love to show you. Browse our collections or reach out to discuss a custom piece — made just for you, with patience and heart.