What is Quilling?
Quilling is a paper art form which takes narrow strips of paper, rolls, shapes and glues them into forms to create an image or decorative designs. Quilling, also know as paper filigree, may have begun back in ancient Egypt and received its name from the goose quills which may have been the first tool used. During the Renaissance, quilling was used by French and Italian nuns, who used this art form to decorate relics and holy artwork. It would often be guided or silvered, making them almost indistinguishable from gold or silver filigree work.
Quilling was most popular in the 16th through 19th centuries when it was practiced by affluent women. Working women didn’t have time to quill.
Pensacola’s quilling artist of note is Billie Nicholson. Examples of her quilling images can be seen for the next two weeks at the Wright Place, a part of the First United Methodist Church on Wright Street in Pensacola.