Last Minute Quilling - Quilled Trinket Boxes

Here is a cute idea for a last minute gift, and you probably have all of the supplies to make it right in your quilling supplies. You will need a whole package of 1/8” strips to make the top and bottom of this little quilled trinket box. Start by making a tight coil using a full strip, add a second strip by slipping it into the coil about 6” from the end of the first strip, continuing to add strips until the coil is the size that you want. (I use approximately 20 full strips to make a 2” tight roll for the bottom.) Glue the end of the last strip down and flatten the coil and coat the bottom with glue. (I like to coat the bottom, where is doesn’t show, so the paper doesn’t get a “shiny” look). Repeat the process to make a top for your trinket box, then gently shape the top into a sculptured roll and coat the inside of the top with glue. I like to do the top and bottom of my boxes in the same color and then use a contrasting color for the “sides” of the box. I use a strip of paper about 11” long and 1 ½” wide for the sides: I usually cut a strip from one of the accessory packs, but any paper will work. Roll the strip into a ring coil, glue the end of the strip down and then glue to the bottom of the box. I make the sides a little smaller than the bottom so a lip shows. I also make a ring coil to glue in the top of the box using a 1/8” strip, this ring coil is slightly smaller than the ring coil used for the sides. This is just to keep the top from slipping off the box. You can add a small tight roll to the top of the box for a handle. Now you can have fun decorating your box, adding quilled designs to the sides and top. These would make adorable hostess gifts or table favors; they would also make great shower or wedding favors.
If you have problems with large tight rolls, there is a tool called the curling coach which is helpful, although with a little practice you can do them just using your fingers. I learned the technique of adding strips as I was rolling from Jane Jenkins. I was surprised at how easy it is. When I first started making large tight rolls, it was to make a chess set from a kit. This was probably 25 years ago. It was suggested to glue the strips end to end. I can’t even tell you how much harder that was. I would get six or seven strips rolled and somehow loosen my grip on the whole thing and end up with a twelve foot tendril! Try rolling that up again! Sliding the strips in as you roll makes the whole process so much easier and the resulting coil is nice and smooth, not lumpy.