Welcome to the North American Quilling Guild website!

Featured Art: by NAQG member Francine T. Jones A Note From the Artist:  There is still something about work done by hand; the label "handmade" means you know that something unique and individual has been created, a "one of". Whether it is a hand knitted scarf or a hand painted birdhouse, the magic is always there. Someone has taken the time and effort to create a small treasure. No two leaves or snowflakes are alike; no two handmade items are the same. The artistic quality comes straight from the heart of the designer. My work features Quilling (paper filigree) a centuries old craft of rolling or twirling paper. The art was born over five hundred years ago with artists discovering that strips of paper could be rolled, scrolled, fringed and shaped into designs. I have been quilling for just three years and truly love the craft. Some designs are my original creations. The first step is to sketch out an idea to use as a guide. After the elements are quilled or sculptured, all are assembled either on a quilling board or directly on the appropriate background. Quilling is very versatile; it can hang on a wall, decorate a card or box and even make your Christmas tree special. Hopefully you'll enjoy my creations and your day will be a little brighter because of them See more Featured Art in the Quilling Gallery

The North American Quilling Guild (NAQG) is a group of enthusiastic and dedicated quillers with one mission: to promote the lovely art of quilling and ensure that it is passed on to future generations.

The NAQG was officially formed in 2000, after several years of informal meetings. We are not affiliated with, nor in competition with The Quilling Guild in the UK, but are an independent and separate entity. Both guilds are dedicated to promoting and preserving this unique and beautiful art form.

Many people have discovered that quilling is a highly versatile and rewarding form of artistic expression. This nearly forgotten art is experiencing a modern revival, and interest is growing daily. The NAQG is committed to providing support and assistance to help quillers discover and perfect their quilling technique, and share information, patterns, and tips.

Membership is open to quillers of all levels and quilling enthusiasts worldwide. No matter where you live, or what your skill level, we invite you to join your fellow quillers at NAQG!

                             "Get the 'Knack' with the NAQG"

What is Quilling?

Quilling, also known as Paper Filigree, Filigrana or filigree work, is the result of rolling or coiling thin strips of paper into delicate-looking shapes and using these pieces to form a design. This art form is very old and is traceable to the 15th century and possibly as early as the 13th or 14th century. It is believed that quilled items were used by French and Italian nuns and monks to decorate religious objects in order to simulate more costly handiworks such as carved ivory or wrought iron.

Filigree work became popular in England in the 18th century and was taught along with needlework as a "proper pastime" for fashionable young ladies. Boarding schools of that age often featured "filigree" among the subjects taught. The 18th cen-tury New Lady Magazine described filigree as "the art which affords an amusement to the female mind capable of the most pleasing and extensive variety." Signatures, dates and school names were often pen-ciled in on the back of surviving pieces. Tea caddies, cribbage boards, wine coasters, work baskets, obelisks, urns and even pieces of furniture were commonly enhanced with filigree work.

"Quilling" as defined by Webster's Dictionary is "a band of material fluted into small ruffles so as to resemble a row of quills." The term "quilling" may have been adopted when filigree work spread to the American colonies. Others believe it was called this simply because the coils were rolled over the end of a goose quill.

Early American quill work continued to be used as a decorative adornment for pictures, trays, boxes, candle sconces and other practical items. Just as the woodworker carefully carved intricate patterns and designs into wood, so too the quiller would laboriously and painstakingly roll and sculpt paper with amazingly similar results. Many times quillwork would be combined with shells, wax flowers, twisted wire, and chipped mica to add a sparkling effect to designs viewed under candlelight.

- Compiled by Sherry Rodehaver

Join IGIVE and help raise money for the NAQG:   The NAQG fundraising committee has found a great way to raise money by doing what you do today, shop online.  How it works: Join iGive.com to support the North American Quilling Guild (NAQG).  It is free, safe and easy to join, simply click this link! Shop thru iGive.com or simply surf their stores.  They have such trusted names as Lands' End, Staples, JCPenny, EBAY, and QVC to name a few. Up to 26% of EACH purchase is donated to the NAQG.  Plus a bonus $5 donation if you order within the first 45 days.  And for a limited time, you earn chances to win a $1,000 donation during the Surfathon!   Questions? Wondering about the status of your new or renewal membership? Think you may have missed an issue of Quill America? Need login information to enter the NAQG Members' Corner? Have other questions for the NAQG? Please contact us,  Thank You!