How to quill - part 2 - the loose coil, the drop, the eye and the leaf.

In this tutorial you will learn the second part of quilling basics. If you have not yet seen the first part you can find it here

Today I'm going to show you how to create a loose coil ( like in the Christmas stocking above), the teardrop, the eye shape or Marquise and the leaf shape. 

You will need:

* Quilling strips ( I'm using the 5mm ones)

* Clear drying PVA glue

* Slotted quilling tool. 

To begin start quilling your strip in the same way you would to create a tight coil. When you reach the end DO NOT apply the glue (if you do, you're gonna end up with a tight coil). 

Gently take out your quilled peg from the tool and hold it between your thumb and forefinger for 3-5 seconds. 

Very slowly let the coil unravel between your thumb and forefinger till you have the size you desire. 

Now gently apply a little glue on the end and stick it. 

What you're left with are these nice light and fluffy loose coils. The loose coil forms the basis of all the shapes I'm going to show you today. So PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!! 

To create the drop or teardrop shape, make a loose coil and hold one side between your thumb and forefinger and gently press to form a pointed end. 

These teardrop shapes are great for creating flowers. 

For the eye shape or the marquise you'll need to make your loose coil and hold it between you thumb and forefinger of both hands and gently pinch. 

This is what the marquise shape looks like. I like using these for flowers without centers. Or when the center is raised above the petals. 

Where there are flowers there have to be leaves... 

To make the leaf shape we start with a loose coil and first create a marquise. Then still holding the shape between the thumb and forefinger of both hands, gently push one hand away from you while simultaneously bringing the other hand closer to you. 

This is the ready leaf shape. 

There are no hard and fast rules to quilling. You can use whatever shapes you fancy. I like to play around with shapes. I've even used the leaf shape to create flowers and the marquise shape for leaves.  I was surprised at how beautiful it looked. 

At the end of the quilling basics tutorial I only have 3 words. 

PRACTICE 

EXPERIMENT and 

have FUN! 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on my tutorial. 

Xoxo

Karen.