Irish Rose Crochet Flower

Irish Rose Crochet Flower




If you are a beginner, you can find a playlist for the basic crochet stitches by clicking on this link. Beginner Crochet Stitches

Written by Teresa Richardson

Video Tutorial: Irish Rose Crochet Flower

Video Tutorial: Irish Rose Crochet Flower Left Hand Version



Crochet Geek YouTube -http://www.youtube.com/user/tjw1963


Crochet Geek 2 YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/crochet


Skill Level - Intermediate

Abbreviations
DC - Double Crochet
HDC - Half Double Crochet
CH - Chain
SC - Single Crochet
SL ST - Slip Stitch
TC -Triple Crochet

Materials
Size I/5.5 mm crochet hook
4 ply yarn
Tapestry Needle







Popcorn Stitch - Work 5 double crochet in the same space or stitch, work a slip stitch to the beginning double crochet. The stitches will bulge to the front.




Work a chain 5, join

Round 1: Work a chain 3, this will count as the first stitch. * HDC, CH 1, 7 times total, join with the beginning stitch. (8 half double crochet, chain 1 total)




Round 2: Slip stitch to the chain 1 space. CH 1, this is the step up and will not count as a stitch. Work a popcorn(See detailed instructions above), CH 3 in each space around. (8 total - popcorn chain 3)




Round 3: SL ST to next Chain. *CH 1, Work 2 HDC, 3 DC, 2 HDC, CH 1, SL ST in same space. Slip Stitch to next space, Complete 8 times total from *.




Round 4: Slip Stitch on the back side of of the stitches to the center of the petal on round 3. *CH 5, Slip Stitch in the center of the next petal. Complete 8 times total from *. Slip stitch to join with the first chain. (8 Chain 5 Loops)




Round 5: Slip Stitch in to the chain loop. *Work a CH 1, 3 HDC 2 DC, 3 TC, 2 HDC, 3 HDC, CH 1, slip stitch in the same loop. Slip Stitch in the next loop. Complete 8 times total from *. Cut the yarn and sew in all the tails.












Irish Rose Crochet Flower



























Irish Rose Crochet Flower Left Hand Version

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Crochet Flower - Made from Plain Old Circles

Crochet Flower

• You will need to create 5 small circles (2 rounds)
• I am including the third round for this circle, even though the example is made with only two rounds.
• You can make this project with thread.
  

Written by Teresa Richardson

Crochet Geek YouTube -http://www.youtube.com/user/tjw1963

Crochet Geek 2 YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/crochet

Size H Crochet Hook
4-Ply Worsted Weight Yarn

Chain 3, Join

Round 1: CH 1, 12 DC in the loop, join in the first double crochet.

Round 2: CH 1, 2 DC in ea DC around. ( 24 Double Crochet Total)

Round 3: CH 1, *2 DC in next ST, 1 DC in next ST. Repeat around from * ( 36Double Crochet Total)

You have a choice of two edgings to choose from. You can also use an edging of your own if you would like to.

Edging 1: Reverse Single Crochet

Edging 2: SL ST between stitch, *CH 3 SL ST in same sp, SL ST in next SP, Repeat around from *, join.

You will want to cut a length of yarn to attach the circles together.

1. The first frame shows the circle, in preparation to being added to the other petals.
   
2. You fold the circle about 1/3 of the way up to form a straight edge along the bottom of all 5 circles.
3. Fold the bottom points of the large circle together and run the needle through, pulling snug and securing. You will want to shape and adjust your petal at this point.
4. Knot and secure your petals. Hide the tail.

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Crochet Loopy Granny Square and Flower

Loopy Granny Square and Flower

Pattern by Teresa Richardson

Crochet Video Tutorial:

• Loopy Flower
• Loopy Granny Square - Part 1
• Loopy Granny Square - Part 2

Size G crochet Hook
4-Ply Worsted Weight Yarn

Loopy Flower

Chain 6, join

Round 1: CH 1, 16 SC in loop, join

Round 2: CH 3, 3 DC in same SP, CH 3, SL ST in same SP. SL ST over next 2 spaces. Continue around for 8 petals.

Round 3: CH 1, SC in same SP, CH 5, SK 2 Petals, SC in next SC; Continue around.
SL ST in BEG SC. (4 - CH 5 Loops)

Round 4: CH 4, 5 TC in loop, CH 4, SL ST in loop, repeat twice in each loop. SL ST to next loop. (8 Petals)

Loopy Granny Square

Round 5: Attach new color. * SC around the post of SC on the flower, CH 7, Repeat 4 times total from *. Join in beg SC. (There will be 4, chain 7 loops)

Round 6: SL ST in CH LP CH 3, 4 DC, CH 2, 5 DC in same loop. *5 DC, CH 2 5 DC, Repeat 3 time total from *, join

Round 7: SL ST back 1 stitch, CH 2 for the beginning HDC, QC in the next st. HDC, In this order, ea stitch will be worked in an individual stitch. QC, HDC, QC in ea of the next 4 Sts. *2 HDC, CH 2, 2 HDC in the next CH 2 SP (corner). In this order, ea stitch will be worked in an individual stitch. HDC in the next st, QC in the next st, 10 stitches total. Repeat from * 3 times total. In this order, ea stitch will be worked in an individual stitch. HDC, QC, HDC, QC in ea of the next 4 sts, join.

Round 8: CH 2 for the beginning HDC, QC in the next st. HDC, In this order, ea stitch will be worked in an individual stitch. QC, HDC, QC in ea of the next 6 Sts. *2 HDC, CH 2, 2 HDC in the next CH 2 SP (corner). In this order, ea stitch will be worked in an individual stitch. HDC in the next st, QC in the next st, 14 stitches total. Repeat from * 3 times total. In this order, ea stitch will be worked in an individual stitch. HDC, QC, HDC, QC in ea of the next 6 sts, join.

Round 9: CH 1, *SC in ea ST around. 3 SC in corner CH 2 SP. Continue around from *, join. This is just an edging of single crochet stitches.

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Slinky Crochet Flower

Slinky Crochet Flower

Written by Teresa Richardson

Video Tutorial: Slinky Crochet Flower

Video Tutorial: Left Hand Slinky Crochet Flower

Skill Level:  Intermediate

Abbreviations
SC - Single Crochet
HDC - Half Double Crochet
DC - Double Crochet
TC - Triple Crochet
QC - Quadruple Crochet

Materials
Yarn
Hook
Tapestry Needle

This flower curls right around like a curly cue. You can make it as full/long as you want to while using any combination of petals.

Make a chain of 31.

Row 1: work a single crochet in the second chain from the hook, chain 2, skip 1 chain, work a single crochet in the next chain. Continue across. This is not a project that has to be precise. If you end up with an extra chain at the end, go head and make the last chain 2 and single crochet right next to the last single crochet. With this chain amount you will have about 15 chain 2 loops.

There is a variety of ways to make the petals. You can make your petals all the same or make them all different.

Petal 1: CH 1, 4 HDC, CH 1 SL ST. All in the same chain loop.

Petal 2: CH 1, 6 HDC, CH 1 SL ST. All in the same chain loop.

Petal 3: CH 1, 5 DC, CH 1 SL ST. All in the same chain loop.

Petal 4: CH 2, 5 DC, CH 2 SL ST. All in the same chain loop.

Petal 5: CH 1, 3 DC, SC, 3 DC CH 1 SL ST. All in the same chain loop.

Petal 6: CH 2, 5 TC, CH 2 SL ST. All in the same chain loop.

Petal 7: CH 2, 3 TC, HDC, 3 TC, CH 2 SL ST. All in the same chain loop.

Upon completion, you will cut off a long tail. Wind the flower around and shape it how you want it to look. Weave the needle through the stitches and push it to the opposite side going through all layers of the flower. Repeat this several times for a secure flower. Knot the tail and hide it when all layers are secure.

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Embossed Crochet Flower - Circle to Square 4

Embossed Crochet Flower - Circle to Square 4

Written by Teresa Richardson

Video Tutorial:  Embossed Crochet Flower - Circle to Square 4

Video Tutorial:  Left Hand Embossed Crochet Flower - Circle to Square 4

Skill Level - Easy

Abbreviations
DC - Double Crochet
HDC - Half Double Crochet
SC - Single Crochet
CH - Chain
SL ST - Slip Stitch

Materials
Size I/5.5 mm crochet hook
4 ply yarn
Tapestry Needle


Chain 5, join.


Round 1: CH 1, *SC through the center of the chain loop. CH 8, Complete from * 6 time total.  Join with the beginning stitch.


Round 2:  CH 1, SC in the same stitch *Working through the chain 8 loop. 2 SC, 2 HDC, 4 DC, 2HDC, 2SC, SC in the next SC.  Continue around from *, join with the beginning stitch.


Round 3: CH 1, *SC in the stitch between petals, Ch 5, SC between stitch 6 and 7 on round 2, CH 5, Continue around from *, join with the beginning stitch.


Round 4: SL ST to the chain. Work 4 double crochet in each chain around.  Join with the beginning stitch.


Round 5:  Chain for the step up. *Work, 3 TC, CH 2, 3 TC in the same stitch.  Work 1 DC in each of the next 4 stitches, 1 HDC in each of the next 3 stitches, Work 1 DC in each of the next 4 stitches,  Complete 4 times total from *.  Join with the beginning stitch, cut the yarn and pull through to secure.

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Small Crochet Flower 2

 

 

 

 

 

Small Crochet Flower 2
 

Written by Teresa Richardson

Video Tutorial:  Small Crochet Flower 2

Video Tutorial:  Left Hand Small Crochet Flower 2

Skill Level - Easy

Abbreviations
DC -Double Crochet
CH - Chain
SL ST - Slip Stitch

Materials
Size __/__ mm crochet hook
4 ply yarn
Tapestry Needle

Stitch Instructions and Definitions
How to do the stitch



Chain 3, join, with the beginning stitch.



Round 1: *Chain 3, SL ST through the chain loop. Complete 5 times from *, join at the base of the beginning stitch to join.  (5 chain 3 loops total)


Round 2: *SL ST in to the next chain 3 loop. CH 1, work 5 DC through the CH 3, CH 1, SL ST in the same CH 3, Complete 5 times total from *. Join with the beginning stitch.

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Thread Crochet HairClip Flower

Thread Crochet HairClip Flower

Written by Teresa Richardson

Video Tutorial: Thread Crochet HairClip Flower

Video Tutorial: Left Hand Thread Crochet HairClip Flower

Skill Level - Intermediate

Abbreviations
HDC - Half Double Crochet
CH - Chain
SL ST - Slip Stitch



Popcorn Stitch - Work 5 Double crochet in the same stitch, join with the beginning DC to complete the popcorn.

Materials
Sizecrochet hook
Size 10 Thread -  Crochet cotton
Tapestry Needle

Chain 4, join


Round 1:  CH 1, *Work the first popcorn, CH 3, complete 5 times from *, join in the beginning stitch.


Round 2:  *chain 3, SC in the CH 3 loop, 6 times. SC in the popcorn. Complete 5 times total from *, join with the beginning stitch.


Round 3: CH 1 *SC in SC, CH 3, SC in next loop, 7 times, SC in the next SC. Complete 5 times from *,  join with the beginning stitch.


Round 4: CH 1 *SC in SC, CH 6, Complete 5 times from *,  join with the beginning stitch.

Round 5: *SL ST to the next chain loop. CH 2, work 15 TC, CH 2, SL ST in the same loop. Complete 5 times from *,  join with the beginning stitch.

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Radiant Crochet Flower

Radiant Crochet Flower

Written by Teresa Richardson

Video Tutorial: Radiant Crochet Flower

Video Tutorial: Left Hand Radiant Crochet Flower

Skill Level - Easy

Abbreviations
HDC - Half Double Crochet
CH - Chain
SL ST - Slip Stitch

Materials
Size G/4 mm crochet hook
4 ply yarn
Tapestry Needle

Stitch Instructions and Definitions
Long Half Double Crochet- This stitch is wrapping the yarn over the hook and pulling it up even with the chain.

Attach a slip knot to your crochet hook, chain 4, join with the beginning chain.

Round 1: *Chain 3, Slip stitch through the center of the chain. Complete 5 times total from *.
Round 2: Slip stitch through the center of the first chain 3, *Chain 1, Work 3 HDC through the center of the chain 3 loop, CH 1, SL ST in the same chain space, SL ST through the center of the next CH 1, Continue around from * and complete 5 times total.

Round 3: Change Color, Attach the new color in the center of the petal. *chain 4, slip stitch through the center of the petals. Continue around from *, join with the beginning chain.

Petals - Round 4: Slip stitch through the center of the chain 4, You can work as tall of a chain as you want to work. *Chain 6, Work 7 long half double crochet pulling each stitch up as high as the chain. Chain 6 slip stitch in the same chain, Slip stitch in the next chain. Continue around from *

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Small Crochet Wheel Headband with Flower Option

Small Crochet Wheel Headband with Flower Option

Written by Teresa Richardson

Video Tutorial: Small Crochet Wheel Headband with Flower Option

Video Tutorial: Left Hand Small Crochet Wheel Headband with Flower Option

Skill Level - Easy

Abbreviations
DC - Double Crochet
CH - Chain
SL ST - Slip Stitch

Materials
Size F/3.75mm Crochet hook
3 ply yarn
Tapestry Needle

The multiple is 6. For each extra shell that you want to make, add 6 extra foundation stitches.

Work 54 foundation single crochet. Join.

Side 1: Work a single crochet in the first stitch, *skip two stitches, work 6 double crochet in the next. Skip two stitches, work a single crochet. Continue from * for each segment of the pattern stitch.

Side 2:When you are finished, flip the band over and repeat the pattern, work the shell and single crochet in the same space as the opposite side. See diagram for stitch placement.

Flower
Chain 3, join.
Round 1: *Chain 3 slip stitch in the loop. Complete 5 times total. (5 chain 3 loops total)
Round 2: Slip stitch in to the chain 3 loop. Chain 1, *Work 5 Double Crochet in the same loop, Chain 1, Slip stitch in the same loop, Slip Stitch in the next chain 3 loop, Repeat from * for each remaining petal. (5 petals total- with 5 double crochet in each petal)

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Free Quilling Pattern Trelis with Yellow Flowers

It has been quite a while since I posted a new pattern... for this I apologize, so here is a Springy pattern.

This is a Trellis with Yellow and Purple Flowers

To Make the Trellis:

• 2 - 3 in (7.6 cm) brown strips
• 4 - 1.5 in (3.8 cm) brown strips
• Using the picture as a guide, lay the 3 inch (7.6 cm) strips lengthwise and criss-cross the 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) strips

To Make the Flowers:

• 8 - 3 inch (7.6 cm) Yellow Hearts
• 2 - 3 inch (7.6 cm) Purple Tight rolls
• 4 - 1.5 in (3.8 cm) Green V-Scrolls cut to 1/16 inch (.15 cm) wide
• 3 - 3 inch (7.6 cm) Green S-Scrolls cut to 1/16 inch (.15 cm) wide
• 3 - 3 inch (7.6 cm) Green Shaped Marquise leaves cut to 1/16 inch (.15 cm) wide

Using the picture as a guide for placement make

• 2 flowers with 3 Yellow Hearts and 1 Purple Tight roll, attach V-Scroll to Purple Tight roll as shown
• 2 flowers with 1 Yellow Heart attach V-scroll to point of heart
• Use remaining S-Scroll and Shaped Marquise as shown

I hope that you enjoy this pattern :-)

Enjoy!
Copyright for Personal Use Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling pattern, trellis with flowers, free pattern, naqg, childrens crafts

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Free Quilling Pattern Flower Power Girl

I want to give a special Shout Out to my friend Toni - who inspired this pattern and to my friend Marie who always makes me smile ...

This very happy Flower Power Girl is ready to brighten up anyone's day... She is perfect for a card or scrapbook page. This particular beauty was framed and given as a gift.

To Make Her Dress
Bodice - use 1/8 in (.3 cm) wide quilling paper

• 1 - 8 in (20.32 cm) Purple Marquise
• 2 - 4 in (10.16 cm) Purple Marquise for her sleeves

Skirt - use 1/8 in (.3 cm) wide quilling paper and 1/4 in (.6 cm) wide for fringed flower

• 1 - 6 in (15.24 cm) Pink fringed flower
• 2 - 8 in (20.32 cm) Red Marquise (outside)
• 2 - 6 in (15.24 cm) Red Marquise
• 2 - 6 in (15.24 cm) Pink Marquise
• 1 - 4 in (10.16 cm) Red Marquise (center)
• Arrange as shown

Tip: Place the large red Marquise on the outside and layer the remaining Marquise alternating color on top to give dimension to the skirt. You can always add more Marquise for a fuller look.

Arms, Legs and Hair

• 2 - 3 in (7.62 cm) White strips for arms
• 2 - 6 in (15.24 cm) White strips for legs
• 2 - 3 in (7.62 cm) Purple Tight Coil for heel
• 2 - 6 in (15.24 cm) Pink Tight Coil for front of shoes
• 1 - 48 in (121.92 cm) White Tight Coil for her face
• 5 - 4 in (10.16 cm) Pink Spiral for her hair

You can mix and match colors to match any card or layout. She was the starting point for a very happy cheerleader for my niece, I altered that design a bit and will have to share that one another day.

I hope you have as much fun as she is!

Enjoy!
Copyright for Personal Use Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling pattern, flower girl, cheerleader, free pattern, naqg, childrens crafts

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Pink Artist Squares Finished!!

Yeah!!! I finished my squares for Monica (Girl Gone Thread Wild)...

This was quite a challenge for me since I work with paper to put something that is my craft onto fabric, but Monica was very encouraging and here are the fruits of my labor :-) I have a friend at work who is facing a difficult time right now and I am praying that everything works out well for her. Tina, these squares are for you!

I titled them Love and Hope. I realized early on that I could not glue the quilling to the fabric or it would certainly fall off, so I made them more like charms on a pendant and I hung them that way! I also coated them with a product called "paper glaze" to give it a glass-like appearance.


If I had started earlier, I probably would have re-done the glitter...

but such is life... I promise to do better next time.

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, pink artist square

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Free Quilling Instructions Spiral Shapes

To continue my lesson on the basic shapes, these instructions are for the Spiral Shapes. You can click here if you have questions about cutting your own paper quilling strips.

The picture shows the basic spiral shapes, please click on the picture to see a larger image with more detail. I will explain how to make the following shapes: Loose Scroll / Open Coil, S-Scroll, C-Scroll, Heart Scroll / Open Heart, and Spiral shapes.

All of the shapes in the attached picture were made using 4" (10.2 cm) pieces of quilling paper in the 1/8" (.3 cm) width.

General Tips:
With these Scroll shapes, since you are not gluing the ends, it is not necessary that you tear the end. Often times, if it is a shape where the end is visible, I will cut the end at an angle so that it tapers. Otherwise, tearing or cutting produce similar effects as the end is in the center of the shape and is generally not visible.

Before we go too far, I wanted to talk about something that you will hear quillers (or any paper artist) talk about and may not know what the reference means. The term is called "conditioning the paper." The best way I can explain this to you is to make you think about what you do to ribbon on a present. With that in mind, you take your finger nail and run it along the end of your quilling paper. The end result is a strip that begins to curve. You can get the same effect by using your needle tool or a pin. The reason you want to do this is that it loosens the fibers in the paper and makes it easier to shape. By looking at the way the paper curls you can also see the natural curve of the paper.

Loose Scroll / Open Coil

• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
• Keep an even tension. For this shape do not pull as tightly, keep a looser tension so that the shape will open up when pulled off the tool
• Keep the edges of the wound paper as even as possible. This prevents creating a little pop-up in the center of your shape. Some people will call this a belly or a tornado.
• When you get to the end of your strip, pull the coil off the tool. If using the slotted tool, it is easier if you turn the slotted tool approximately 1/4 turn in the opposite direction before pulling the paper off.
• After pulling the paper off, let the coil open up.
• Do not glue the end, leave it open.
• This shape is actually kind of neat to use - it gives a very loose look to many patterns that you might use the loose coil for, and if you use your imagination think of waves, clouds, even musical notes, so many options... just with changing the length of the coil

S-Scroll

• This shape gets its name because it looks like an "S" when finished
• For this shape condition both ends of the strip such that one end is curved one direction and the other end is curved in the other direction (creating a loose S shape)
• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
• Roll the paper in toward the center starting at one end and then moving to the other end once you reach the approximate middle of the strip
• Remember, to roll each end of the strip in opposite directions
• This creates a shape where both ends are approximately the same size, this can be changed by making one end smaller than the other simply by changing how far down the strip each end is rolled.
• Play around with this to see the difference it can make.

C-Scroll

• This shape gets its name because it looks like a "C" when finished
• For this shape condition both ends of the strip such that each end is curved in the same direction (creating a loose C shape)
• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
• Roll the paper in toward the center starting at one end and then moving to the other end once you reach the approximate middle of the strip
• Remember, to roll each end of the strip in the same direction / toward eachother
• This creates a shape where both ends are approximately the same size, this can be changed by making one end smaller than the other simply by changing how far down the strip each end is rolled.
• Play around with this to see the difference it can make.

Heart Scroll / Open Heart

• Take the quilling paper and fold it in half
• Next, condition the paper the same way as for a C-Scroll by conditioning both ends of the strip such that each end is curved in the same direction, since the paper is folded this creates a loose V-shape
• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
• Roll the paper in toward the center starting at one end and then moving to the other end once you reach the approximate middle of the strip
• Remember, to roll each end of the strip in the same direction / toward each other
• Roll until you get to the bottom, or the fold and then start rolling the other end. Now adjust the heart to the size you want by pulling the coils

Spiral shape

• To make this shape a needle tool, dowel, knitting needle or some such tool to create the spiral shape.
• A trick is to moisten the end of the strip, either by using a moist towel or sponge.
• Take the quilling strip and wrap it around the selected tool.
• Start at the tip and continue to wrap up the length of the tool.
• When approaching the end or handle, start sliding the paper off of the front of the tool so that you can continue to wrap the spiral shape until you reach the end of your quilling strip.
• A neat use is to take very long strips (by attaching them end to end) and outline a photo - not an easy task to keep it even when using long strips

Enjoy!
Copyright for Personal Use Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling instructions, free instructions, naqg, childrens crafts

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Free Quilling Instructions Coil Shapes

There have been many questions about making the basic quilling shapes that I have received lately, so I thought that I would revisit the basic coil shapes here. You can click here if you have questions about cutting your own paper strips.

You can click on the picture to see a larger image of the basic coil shapes. I will explain how to create the following shapes: Tight Coil/Tight Roll/Peg, Loose Coil, Teardrop/Raindrop, Marquise/Marquis/Eye Shape, and Heart. These were all made with 4 in (10.2 cm) strips in 1/8 in (.3 cm) wide paper.




Some helpful hints:

• Use a ruler to measure the length of your strip to get uniform lengths.
• It is generally recommended that you tear instead of cutting your paper. The reason for this is that the tearing creates a feathered edge that blends and is not as noticeable as a cut line.
• When making a shape that you pinch, try to pinch at the point where the piece is glued and/or try to align the glued portion to where you join two or more quilled elements.
• Always begin your quilling by first conditioning the paper. This is done by running your fingernail or needle tool or similar along the end of the strip. The paper will begin to curl as the fibers are broken down.
• White glue is best, before all of the choices with the growth of paper crafting, elmers glue was used and those quilled beauties are still glued together.

Tight Coil/Tight Roll/Peg Shape

• This shape is called by many names in different patterns, so I have listed the more common ones
• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
• Keep an even tension, pulling the paper as tight as possible. You want the final shape to be very tight.
• Keep the edges of the wound paper as even as possible. This prevents creating a little pop-up in the center of your shape. Some people will call this a belly or a tornado.
• When you get to the end of your strip, pull the coil off the tool. If using the slotted tool, it is easier if you turn the slotted tool approximately 1/4 turn in the opposite direction before pulling the paper off.
• Carefully glue the end of the paper, using just a small amount (dab) of glue.

Loose Coil Shape

• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
• Keep an even tension. For this shape do not pull as tightly, keep a looser tension so that the shape will open up when pulled off the tool
• Keep the edges of the wound paper as even as possible. This prevents creating a little pop-up in the center of your shape. Some people will call this a belly or a tornado.
• When you get to the end of your strip, pull the coil off the tool. If using the slotted tool, it is easier if you turn the slotted tool approximately 1/4 turn in the opposite direction before pulling the paper off.
• After pulling the paper off, let the coil open up
• Carefully glue the end of the paper, using just a small amount (dab) of glue.

Teardrop/Raindrop Shape

• Start with the Loose Coil and pinch the glued end, creating a point on one side and leaving a rounded end opposite the point
• When pinching use thumb and index finger

Marquise/Marquis/Eye Shape

• Start with the Loose Coil and pinch both the glued end and the opposite end of the coil
• Pinch one end then the other while holding the pinched ends one in each hand. This helps to create a more even shape.

Heart Shape

• Start with the Loose Coil and pinch the glued end creating a point
• While holding the pointed end in one hand, press the rounded end in with a fingernail.
• This creates and indentation creating the heart shape.

I hope you find this helpful and this will encourage you to try quilling.

Enjoy!
Copyright for personal use Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling instructions, free instructions, naqg, childrens crafts

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Slotted or Needle Quilling Tool

Slotted or Needle Quilling Tool

I found that when I first started quilling I used the “Slotted” tool. This is a metal or plastic instrument with a tiny slit or slot at the top. The slit is where you place the paper. When I started quilling this was my favorite tool because I found it easier to turn the paper. This was more of a coordination thing, and as I became more comfortable with making my coils and working with the thin paper I relied on it less and less. Today I use the slotted tool when I make my folded roses and sometimes when working with fringed paper. I have found that using the slotted tool will give a larger hole in the center. Please note: For some quillers and projects, you want this look, so don’t discount this tool for that reason.

As my quilling skills improved, I began using the “Needle” tool, mine has a wooden handle with a long, thin piece of metal that looks like a needle sticking out the top. I have actually used this tool for things that it may not have been designed for, such as pricking or piercing my paper and to place glue on my projects. Strictly speaking, using the tool for glue placement is not recommended because it can cause your needle to rust (so don’t tell anyone).

Along the lines of the needle tool, I find that I use a corsage pin or any pin for that matter for much of my quilling today. I have even been known to use office supplies, primarily the T-pins that many people use to hold paper to their cube walls. I find that my control over my paper is better and I am able to get a tighter center to my coils this way.

When I teach classes or give people a pattern that I have made, I will provide round toothpicks. I do this because I worry that someone might stick themselves with a pin if one were supplied. We don’t want any DNA for the CSI team to find 

Perhaps the most common tool that most of us have readily available is our hands. That’s right, it is called finger rolling, and you roll the strips of paper in your fingers. This tool is particularly useful because you never leave it at home!

Enjoy!
Copyright for Personal Use, Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, slotted tool, needle tool, quilling tools

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Quilled Bridal Shower Card - Wedding

Showers, Quilling and Love! A quilled bridal shower card that I made recently. This pattern is more of a guide than a step by step pattern. This is an example of using quilling to accent patterned paper.

• I love square cards, so I started with a 6x6 square white blank.



• Selected patterned scrapbook paper with a large floral patterned design.



• Printed "Love Unconditionally, Laugh Uncontrollably, and Live Unexpectedly Free!" and attach at a diagonal.



• Affix a tag to the phrase, and place a 4 inch (10.2 cm) Coil Heart to the tag.



• Using white and gray quilling strips create quilled patterns to place over the patterned design on the paper.

I found a quote that I particularly liked and printed on the inside of the card:
"Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I really love to make cards like this. They are quite elegant in their simplicity, and can be quite effective in a pinch.

Love is in the air!

Enjoy!
Copyright Personal Use - Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling pattern, bridal shower, wedding, naqg

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Quilling Strips - Should I Cut My Own Strips?

Quilling Strips - Should I Cut My Own Strips?

So many people ask about quilling strips and if they should cut their own papers. This is such a personal choice, but I will provide some information for those of you who decide to cut your own paper.

For those of you brave enough to cut your own paper here is some information that may help you when selecting the paper. Not to be cheeky, but you don’t want your paper to be too thick or too light. If it is too thick or heavy it is harder to roll, and if it is too light it will not keep the coil shape as well. A good weight that has been recommended to me is the 65 to 80 pound text paper. I have used the better quality printer paper and the light weight scrapbook paper that is available. I know that many of my quilling friends like to use envelopes as this is generally a good weight and has the advantage of recycling the mail. Included in this is the inside of the business envelopes - the pattern on the paper makes for really neat fringed flowers.

You want to make sure that the paper you are using has a good “color fastness” The best way I can explain this is that you do not want your paper to “bleed” when you glue it as this can damage or ruin your project. The bleeding can happen because the glue contains water that can cause the bleeding. Always test any paper you want to use before you get too far into your project, you would hate to ruin all that hard work.

Some people will use a manual paper cutter and use the ruler as a guide for the thickness of the paper strip. You must be very careful to keep the paper from moving while cutting so that it is the same width along the length of the strip.

There are those who will use a shredder to cut their paper instead of manually using a paper cutter to cut their strips. There are many shredders that cut paper into 1/8” strips. A word of caution, you need to be careful with the shredders, because many cut with jagged edges that are not the best for use with quilling. If you decide to attempt this, please test the shredder in the store before purchasing it to make sure it is what you need.

The advantage of cutting your own paper is that you can more easily match the color of your pattern to the background paper you are using on your project. This can be helpful for scrapbooking or for card making where you can use your scraps to create the embellishments or decoration.

The disadvantage is that it can be difficult to get all your strips the same width and if you are like me, cutting a straight line can be challenging – lol.

I have found that many people who teach classes cut their own paper for their students to use when first learning the basic shapes. This is done so that they do not use the real strips until they feel more comfortable with making the shapes. There has been a lot of information posted about shredders, if there is interest I can track it down for you.

As a side note: I prefer to buy my paper. I don’t have the time to cut it myself, and if I did, my ability to cut a straight line (even with a paper cutter) is not my forte. One exception, because there is always an exception, is when it comes to fringed flowers and some of the roses that I make. Some of the color variations in the scrapbook paper makes for great flowers!

I hope that you have found this helpful.

Enjoy!
Copyright (personal use) by Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, quilling paper, quilling strips

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Sunburst Flower with Ladybug

One of the great things about quilling is that you can combine your quilled items to make an even more spectacular arrangement. Here is an example of combining two elements. You can click to get the instructions for how to make each of the elements:

• Sunburst Flower
  
• Ladybug

Change the colors and see how much you can do and how quickly you can become enchanted with your creations.

Enjoy!
Copyright Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, spreuer, naqg, childrens crafts

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Free Spreuer Flower Pattern

This is a neat flower I made using 2 strips of coordinating quilling strips. The pictures have instructions for each of the steps in creating the Spreuer Flower Petals.

Follow these instructions and make 6 flower petals.


Step 1: Take 2 strips of 1.8 in (.3 cm) quilling strips. I selected Yellow and Orange for this project. I then glued the bottom of the strips together. I placed the yellow against the back of the Onion Holder Tool (refer to picture).

Step 2: Take the Yellow and go up to prong #5 and wrap the Yellow around the front and down to the starting point and glue at the bottom.

Step 3: Take the Orange and go up to prong #4, bringing it around the front and down to the starting point and glue at the bottom.


Step 4: Continue with the Orange and on the opposite side go up to prong #4, bringing it around the front and down to the starting point. Before you glue it at the bottom, cut or tear the orange near where it will be glued.

Step 5: Take the Yellow and go up to prong #3, bringing it around the front and down to the starting point and glue at the bottom.

Step 6: Continue with the Yellow and on the opposite side go up to prong #3, bringing it around the front and down to the starting point. Before you glue it at the bottom, cut or tear the Yellow near where it will be glued.

Repeat Steps 1 - 6 for each of the 6 Flower Petals.

Next, make the STEM:

• Take an approximate 8 in (20.3 cm) length of 1/8 in (.3 cm) Green quilling strip.
• Fold it in Half, gluing at the top where the strip is folded.
• Take the strip and condition the ends so that they curl slightly, you can do this by running your fingernail over the end of the strip to create the curl.
• TIP: Cut the ends at a slight angle, it makes the strip more delicate.

Finally the LEAVES:

• 2 - 6 in (15.2 cm) 1/8 in (.3 cm) Green Teardrops

Arrange the Flower Petals into a circle (looks like the sun). Arrange the Stem and Leaves as shown in the photograph. The Fringed Flower is made with Yellow and Orange 1/4 in (.6 cm) wide quilling paper.

Enjoy!
Copyright Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: spreuer,quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling pattern, spreuer flower, free pattern, naqg

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Quilled Cross for Easter

For those of you who celebrate Easter, I wish you and your family a very blessed day.
I selected the following Bible verse to accompany this simple design:

"I am the resurrection and the life:
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet he shall live.
And whoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."
John, 11.25

I was doing some research on crosses on the internet because I wanted to use this opportunity to depict a different type of cross than the one that is traditionally quilled. I have depicted what is called the Patriarchal Cross.


Here is a closeup of the cross I made using the Spreuer technique. Once created, I simply "scattered" roses about the cross. In keeping with doing something a bit different, I opted not to use the standard white in making the cross and instead went with a regal purple. I opted for a pastel color palette on this item.


Many happy wishes to everyone.

Enjoy!
Copyright Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling pattern, patriarchal cross, spreuer cross, quilled+cross, Easter, Easter quilling

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