Customer Reviews

The Weekend Crafter: Paper Quilling: Stylish Designs and Practical Projects to Make in a Weekend

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I LOVE this book. It has clear directions and beautiful pictures for a large variety of projects you'd be proud to own or give, as well as a gallery to offer inspiration. My copy is studded with bookmarks for all kinds of things, from cookie jars to tree ornaments, framed wedding invitations, borders for favorite quotes, foreign alphabets (such as the Hebrew letters shown), etc. Although I own every quilling book published in the USA in the last 40 years and most of those from overseas, this remains my very favorite ... It just seems to offer the most beautiful projects and the most variety.

I love this book! Quilling (paper filigree) is a breathtakingly beautiful art dating back many centuries, which nuns used to use to make exquisite reliquiries (sp?). Some of the work can be found in museums. Best of all, it is easy to master and unbelievably low cost ... Although it won't be archival, many people cut their own strips by putting recycled paper (including flyers and other paper with printing on one side) through a standard paper shredder. You can quill using only your fingers, a corsage pin, a toothpick, a purchased tool, or one you make yourself by gluing the pointed end of a sewing needle into the eraser end of a pencil (pushing it in, then letting it dry) and then cutting off the tip of the hole, leaving a wonderful slot that won't leave a mark. What other art is low cost, portable, easy, gorgeous, etc.?

This book features a gallery (with such gorgeous work as a lion), plus photos and directions for all kinds of quilled projects. My personal favorite is Bobbye Singer's swans (with their necks forming a heart). On the quick-but-beautiful scale is a lady's quilling of the word shalom, with a dove of peace over one end.

The directions are clear to get you started in no time. Just remember that the book was written by a lady who sells quilling paper, patterns, and tools, and thus doesn't stress how to inexpensively make your own. But that certainly doesn't mean that you can't.

Although I own almost every quilling book, booklet, video, and pattern available, this is my personal favorite. VERY highly recommended.

This book seemed similar to Melinda Johnston's other quilling book. It had basically all large projects in it - which is not very helpful for the modern quillist. For someone who wants to quill more modern pieces and cards, I would recommend Mickey Baskett's book.

The first part of the book gives a nice overview of the basics (similar and includes directions for folded roses and how to make curled flowers with paper rectangles (which is not in most beginner quilling books).

The book offers a variety of projects that are definitely doable by any one who has a basic knowledge and a little practice in making the basic shapes. It starts with lovely flower-based designs and includes a lot more variety. I especially liked the Fall Harvest Design (I think it would make a lovely design for a serving tray during the fall season - covered with glass of course.) There is a cute teddy bear waving from behind a flowered fence, a quilt-block design (I am definitely making this one), a smiling tiger, some jewelry pieces, and an antique car, and several others. I really like the pattern for the free standing angels and plan to make these.

The gallery at the end of the book is truly inspiring and shows you just how awesome art work in quilling can be with large colorful photographs (some are museum quality pieces).

If you are serious about developing your quilling skills beyond scrapbooking,looking for some ideas for your home or to give as gifts, then I would recommend adding this book to your quilling library.

Happy Quilling, Lady Rose, Quilling Garden blog

I am fairly new to quilling - this is my second book on quilling and I have done about 4 projects - and this book a tremendous inspiration. The gallery of projects is breathtaking and shows images I could have never imagined to be possible with quilling. The explanations are clear, and the project have different level of complexity, so I can start with something at my current level and improve as I get more practice.

The first 14 pages of this book cover basic techniques, with clear words and detailed photos. Pages 16 through 66 are projects, which include explanation, templates, photos, and tips. The projects cover not only cards and wall hanging, but earrings, brooches and necklaces. Pages 68 through 77 are gallery photos of completed projects. The last two pages are bibliography of contributing artists.

Quilling is easy to learn and does not require a large investment in specialized tools. I started by using paper I use my ink jet printer and cut into thin strips manually with scissors. Then used the tip from the first quilling book I read The New Paper Quilling: Creative Techniques for Scrapbooks, Cards, Home Accents & More to use my paper shredder to generate paper strips faster.

To twirl the paper I used a big eye needle I use for sewing. I first started with using the needle as is and just twirling it in my hand. Then looking at the photos in the book the book I made an improve and snipped of the eye tip with wire cutters so it was easier to disengage the needle from paper. Then I added a handle to my tool by sticking a needle into a small dowel and giving it a couple of light taps so was well embedded in the wood. If ou prefer you can buy a tool like that in a craft store, but I really enjoyed being able to create my own tools out of what I already have on hand.

It takes just a bit of practice to get nice scrolls going. The book gave me a lot of nice idea of shapes and projects to try, starting with easier and then getting more intricate. Malinda Johnston has a lot of experience quilling and a way of sharing her experience in an easy to understand way.

Between the two quilling books I read so far, this one has more projects that excited me. I really enjoyed Paper Quilling by Malinda Johnston and looking forward to making a number of projects from this book.

Ali Julia review

The Weekend Crafter: Paper Quilling: Stylish Designs and Practical Projects to Make in a WeekendFantastic designs when my friend saw this book she said nobody can do this in a week end i proved her wrong by doing the picture frame in a weekend fantastic book worth its money

I was looking for a book to get me started on making quilled flowers. The book provided clear directions for individual flowers and patterns to put them together in designs. Most of the books I found focused mainly on making cards or scrapbooking. I wanted one that could make framed projects featuring photos, invitations, poems, etc. and this one really fit the bill

Just received this book and am enjoying looking thru it. While I think it's a bit pricey, it's certainly a good buy if you can find a nice used copy. The pattern for the teddy bear card is adorable.