Strip Widths
Quilling, also known as paper filigree, is an ancient art form that has captivated hearts for centuries. Originating from the Renaissance period, quilling involves rolling, shaping, and arranging narrow strips of paper into intricate designs. If you're new to quilling, you might be wondering about the different widths of paper strips and how they can enhance your creations. The width of the paper strips plays a crucial role in determining the final outcome of the artwork. Each width offers its own set of advantages and challenges, allowing artists to experiment and push the boundaries of creativity. Shown below are many of the strip widths available on the market.
Don't feel intimidated by the variety of strip widths available, only a few are most commonly used. The most common sizes are 1 or 1.5, 3, 5, 8, and 10mm depending on the project. Most of the time you will see strip widths in millimeters but if you are in the U.S. you might find it easier to use the imperial system. Below is a conversion chart. Please note that the metric system is more precise than the imperial system, therefore, the conversions are approximate. The chart shows what the actual value of strips measured in inches would be in millimeters.
|
Strip Width |
Actual width in mm |
|
|
1.5mm |
1/16” |
1.57 |
|
3mm |
1/8” |
3.18 |
|
5mm |
3/16” |
4.78 |
|
6mm |
1/4” |
6.35 |
|
8mm |
5/16” |
7.95 |
|
10mm |
3/8” |
9.53 |
|
12mm |
1/2” |
12.70 |
|
18mm |
3/4” |
19.05 |
|
25mm |
1” |
25.40 |
Width Uses
As mentioned above, only a handful of these widths are commonly used. This depends on what your goal is for the final look of your project and what you are comfortable working with.
- Narrow Strips (2mm or less):
Narrow strips are like delicate threads that add intricate details to your quilled artwork. They're perfect for creating fine lines, tiny coils, and intricate patterns. They require a steady hand and patience, not ideal for beginners. Once mastered, they can create beautiful and smooth flowers like the ones shown below.
- Medium Strips (3mm to 7mm):
Medium-width strips strike a balance between stability and versatility. They're great for beginners as they provide enough surface area to work with while still allowing for detailed designs. You can use them to create basic shapes, add texture, or build volume in your quilled pieces. The most commonly used are 3mm and 5mm which can be used for almost any project like the ones shown below.
- Wide Strips (7mm or greater):
Wide strips are like sturdy building blocks that provide stability and structure to your quilling projects. They're ideal for filling in larger areas, creating bold outlines, and forming robust shapes such as petals and leaves. While they may lack the intricate detail of narrower strips, they're essential for adding depth and dimension to your artwork. Below is an example of 10mm strips used for the on-edge technique.
Embrace the diversity and experiment with different widths to see what works best for your style and preferences. Remember, quilling is all about creativity and expression, so let your imagination soar as you explore the magical world of strip widths in quilling paper art! Below is an example of an owl made using with 1.5mm, 3mm, 5mm, and 10mm.
Strip Weights
Paper weight refers to the thickness and sturdiness of paper, typically measured in grams per square meter (gsm) or pounds (lb). As the picture shows below, the higher the number, the thicker and heavier the paper.
Paper weight affects how easy it is to roll and shape the paper strips. Lighter weight paper is easier to roll and manipulate, but it might not hold its shape as well. Heavier weight paper is sturdier and holds its shape better, but it can be a bit harder to roll and work with. Weights are broken up in two categories in quilling- paper and cardstock.
Paper (20lb-28lb or 75gsm-105gsm)
This is particularly suitable for beginners and projects that require delicate detailing, as it can be rolled, shaped, and glued without much effort. Paper is less prone to creasing, making it ideal for creating flowing and organic designs in quilling. We found that 24lb is ideal for everyday quilling as 20lb paper is flimsy and does not hold its shape while 28lb paper often creases.
Cardstock (65lb-100lb or 176gsm-271gsm)
While cardstock may be more challenging to shape into intricate curves, it excels in maintaining straight lines and structural integrity, making it ideal for projects that require stability and durability. Cardstock is particularly useful for the on-edge technique. We found that 65lb strips strike a balance between flexibility and sturdiness, even when doing on-edge quilling. However, there are projects that may require more rigidity or stability.
Hope this helped, happy quilling!
