How to Make a Simple 1mm Paper Quilled Flower
If you've ever wanted to try your hand at paper quilling, there's no better place to start than with a delicate 1mm paper quilled flower. These tiny blooms are the perfect way to explore fine detail without feeling overwhelmed. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to create a simple flower using ultra-thin 1mm quilling paper. Whether you’re brand new to quilling or looking for a relaxing mini project, this tutorial is designed to be beginner-friendly and totally doable.
What you need:
Petals: 1mm Paper Quilling Strips, A4 Length - 80 gsm (Qty: 42)
Center: 10mm Paper Quilling Strip, 8” Long – 80 gsm (Qty: 1)
Base: 2mm Paper Quilling Strips, A4 Length - 160 gsm (Qty: 8)
Red Marker
Scissors
Tweezers
Glue
Making the Base
To make the base that the petals and center will be glued onto, using the basic quilling tool, tightly coil 8 strips of the 2mm quilling strips. Glue the end to secure.
Making the Petals
To create the large petals, tightly coil four strips of 1mm quilling paper together. You’ll need a total of six large petals for the flower. You can find the cyan quilling paper I used here.
For the small petals, tightly coil three strips of quilling paper together. Repeat this step six times to make the remaining petals.
Now that you have the base and the petals made, apply a liberal coat of glue to the back side of the petals and the base. Apply two coats to the petals. I also use Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue for this step as it allows you to shape the petals once they are completely dry.
Making the Center
I start with a strip of paper a bit larger than 10mm, because it is easier for me to hold when I am fringing the paper. Take a red maker and drag it along one edge of the paper strip. Fringe the whole strip cutting each fringe about 6mm deep. Once I am done fringing the entire strip, I cut the opposite end down to size. Coil the entire fringed strip and glue to secure. Fan out the fringed edge.
Shaping the Petals
Once the glue on the back side of the tight coils is completely dry, gently pinch two opposite sides of the coil to create pointed ends. Repeat this on all 12 coils.
Assembling the Flower
Evenly place and glue the large petals around the base followed by the small petals and then the center.
And that’s it — your simple 1mm paper quilled flower is complete! Whether you add it to a card, frame it, or save it for a larger project, this delicate design is a beautiful example of what you can create with just a few strips of paper and a little patience. As you get more comfortable with 1mm quilling, you’ll be amazed at the level of detail and elegance you can achieve.
If you’d like to try this project with high-quality quilling paper, you can find my favorite 1mm strips in a variety of colors here. I also carry quilling tools made especially for delicate work like this.
If you try this tutorial, I’d love to see your flower — tag me on Instagram or leave a comment below! Happy quilling! 🌸