How to make a quilling eye
Quilling Eye (Marquise): try all 5 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
Roll a quilling strip, let it open into a loose coil, then pinch it at two opposite points: the eye shape used for leaves, petals and wings.
- You need
- A 3 mm × 30 cm quilling strip, a slotted quilling tool, craft glue and a toothpick to apply it.
- Start
- Begin with one quilling strip, 3 mm wide and 30 cm long, lying flat with its long edges at the top and bottom.
- Tips
- Pinch the two points exactly opposite each other, so the eye comes out even.
- For a leaf, twist the two points gently in opposite directions to make an S-shaped curve.
Your model is ready
Your marquise is done: an eye shape with a point at each end. Use it as a leaf or a petal, or set several round a coil for a flower. Turn the marquise to see its spiral, round in the middle and pointed at both ends.
Step-by-step diagrams
- 1
Roll the strip on the tool
Slide the left end of the strip into the slot of the quilling tool. Turn the tool, guiding the strip so each turn lies snug on the one before, until the whole strip is wound on.
- 2
Let the coil open
Slide the coil off the tool and let go. The turns spring apart into an even spiral about 14 mm across. Hold the loose end against the coil from now on.
- 3
Pinch both points
Hold the coil at two opposite sides, each between a thumb and forefinger, and pinch both sides into points at the same time, flattening the coil into an eye.
- 4
Lay the end on the coil
Press the last few millimetres of the strip down flat against the turn beneath it.
- 5
Glue the end
Put a tiny dab of glue under the end with a toothpick and hold it against the coil until it holds.
- ✓
Finish
Your marquise is done: an eye shape with a point at each end. Use it as a leaf or a petal, or set several round a coil for a flower. Turn the marquise to see its spiral, round in the middle and pointed at both ends.
Fold next
Quilled teardrop ↗
Roll one paper strip into a loose coil and pinch a point to make a petal shape.
Tight coil ↗
Wind a whole quilling strip round the tool with no gaps, then glue its end: the solid little disc that makes flower centres, wheels and eyes.
Loose coil ↗
Roll a quilling strip tightly, let it spring open to an even spiral and glue its end: the open coil that every teardrop, eye and petal is pinched from.
Open heart ↗
Fold half a quilling strip in the middle and roll both ends in toward the fold: an open heart for cards, borders and Valentine designs.