These quilled paper chicks are such a fun spring craft, and they’re perfect for adding a playful touch to your seasonal decorations. With just a few strips of paper, you can easily roll, shape, and glue your way to creating the cutest little chicks around!
This beginner-friendly quilling project is a great Easter craft for older kids and adults. And whether you’re new to paper quilling or a seasoned crafter, you’ll have a lot of fun making these mini paper chicks.
Display your quilled chicks in an Easter basket, use them to decorate greeting cards, or create beautiful farmyard themed wall art. However you use them, these adorable chicks will add a charming touch to your seasonal decor and bring a crafty flair to your spring celebrations!
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How to Make Quilled Paper Chicks
Materials:
- Quilling paper (black, yellow, and orange)
- Tacky glue
Equipment:
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Prepare a strip of paper
- Cut a 3 inch long strip from black quilling paper. The longer piece can be saved for another project.
- Add a tiny dot of tacky glue to one end of the black paper.
- Place the end of a piece of yellow quilling paper into the glue, connecting the 2 pieces.
- Attach another yellow strip to the end of the first one (the side not connected to the black paper).Repeat to add 2 more yellow strips, creating a 40 inch long “mega strip” of paper. Allow the glue to dry well before handling.
Step 3: Make the chick’s head
- Place a needle on top of the black end of the paper.To make the chick, you’ll roll the paper around the needle. You can also buy special quilling tools.
- Roll the paper around the needle until you have a tight/secure roll that holds the tension on its own. You can then remove the needle.
- Continue rolling the paper around itself until you near the end. Add a bit of glue to the end.
- Press the glued paper around the roll and hold until it’s secure. This is the chick’s head.
Step 4: Create the body
- Use the same technique to roll a new yellow strip around itself.
- Release some of the tension on the roll so there’s some space between the layers. Once the roll is the size you’d like, glue the end in place.
- Pinch one side of this loose circle into a point, creating a teardrop shape.
- Add glue to both sides of the point.
- Attach another yellow strip to one side of the glue. Loop it around the circular part of the roll, leaving a gap between the paper layers. Then connect it to the glue on the other side.
- Cut the excess paper at the point of the teardrop.
- Repeat, gluing 2 more loops of paper around the last one, making them bigger each time.
Step 5: Create the feet and beak
- Cut 3 pieces of orange quilling paper about 3/8 inch long.Cut 1mm from the width of the 2 pieces, making them narrower. Then, cut a triangle shape from one of the short ends, making 2 feet with little toes.
- Fold the 3rd orange piece in half and cut a triangle-shaped beak (with the point on the open end).
Step 6: Assemble the chick
- Add a bit of glue to the chick’s head along the paper seam.
- Connect the head to the top of the body near the looped side.
- Glue the 2 feet together with one on top of the other, toes pointing outwards. Allow the glue to mostly dry before handling.
- Add a thin line of glue to the fold of the beak. Attach it to the front of the head.
- Add glue towards the back of the feet and connect them to the bottom of the chick’s body (so they stick out the front).
- Bend the point of the teardrop up to make the chick’s tail.
- Your quilled paper chick is complete!
Helpful Tips:
- Less is more when it comes to using glue with paper quilling. Try to use as little glue as possible, while still getting the paper to adhere securely. The goal is to have as little excess glue visible as you can!
- You may want to practice quilling a few strips of paper before beginning your first quilling project. Like knitting or crocheting, tension plays a big role in the tightness or looseness of your quilled paper. It’s also important to maintain an even tension while rolling the paper strip.
Do I need special paper to make my quilled paper art?
Paper quilling, also known as paper filigree, is usually done with text weight paper, which is in-between the weight of regular printer paper and cardstock.
The easiest way to start making art with paper quilling is to buy a pack of pre-cut paper strips. But feel free to experiment with different papers and use what works best for you!
Are there any special tools I need to make quilled chicks?
You don’t need any special tools to make your rolled paper chick. We started our rolls using a sewing needle, and it worked well. You can also use a pin or toothpick to start your roll.
But beginners to paper quilling may find it easier to start with a slotted tool. Fortunately, paper quilling tool sets are inexpensive and readily available on Amazon and at many local craft stores. You can even buy a quilling kit that comes with both the tools and the paper strips!
Is there a type of glue that works best for making quilled chicks?
For paper quilling you want to use a strong glue that dries clear and quickly. We used Aleene’s Turbo Tacky Glue to make our paper quilled Easter chick. This glue dries even faster than regular tacky glue.
However, other glues will definitely work for this craft. Regular school glue is an inexpensive choice, or you can try Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue or Elmer’s Craft Bond Glue.
And if you’re worried about too much glue getting on the paper, try a precision tip craft glue (or transfer your glue to a needle tip bottle).
These quilled paper chicks are a delightful way to bring a handmade touch to your springtime decor!
Simply attach a magnet to the back to create a spring-inspired fridge decoration, glue them onto wooden sticks to brighten your flower pots, or use toothpicks to turn them into adorable Easter treat toppers. Whatever you do with it, this DIY paper craft is perfect for spring celebrations and will surely add a cheerful vibe to any space.
Here’s even more animal craft ideas:
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