DIY Paper Quilled Christmas Tree Card: Mastering the V-Scroll Technique

Christmas is just around the corner, and with the holiday season comes the joy of giving. While store-bought cards are convenient, there is nothing quite like receiving a handmade card created with love and patience. If you are looking for a unique, budget-friendly, and stunning way to send your holiday greetings this year, you have come to the right place.

Today, we are diving into the beautiful world of paper quilling. Specifically, we are going to create an adorable Paper Quilling Christmas Tree Card using a special method called the V-Scroll technique.

You might have seen simple quilled designs that use tight circles (coils), but the V-Scroll gives the paper an airy, open, and elegant look—perfect for mimicking the branches of a pine tree! This project is fantastic for adults looking to relax or for kids (aged 10+) who want to try their hand at a slightly more advanced paper craft.

Let’s turn simple strips of paper into a festive masterpiece.

What is Paper Quilling?

Before we start rolling, let’s talk about the craft itself. Paper Quilling, also known as paper filigree, is an art form that involves rolling, shaping, and gluing strips of paper together to create decorative designs. It dates back to the Renaissance period when monks and nuns used gold-gilded paper to decorate religious book covers.

Today, it is a beloved craft because it requires very few supplies but yields professional-looking results. It is also an excellent activity for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Understanding the “V-Scroll”

Most beginners start with “closed coils” (where the circle is glued shut). However, for this Christmas tree, we are using Scrolls.

• Coils are closed shapes.
• Scrolls are open, free-flowing shapes that are not glued shut at the end.

The V-Scroll is exactly what it sounds like: a strip of paper rolled on both ends towards the center, forming a “V” shape. This shape is perfect for our tree because it naturally looks like the sweeping boughs of an evergreen tree.

Materials Required

To make this card, you don’t need a fancy studio. You likely have most of these items in your craft drawer.

1. Quilling Paper Strips: You will need various shades of green (dark, light, lime) for the tree, brown for the trunk, and yellow for the star. Standard 5mm width strips work best.
2. Slotted Quilling Tool: This is the magic wand of quilling. It has a tiny slot in the metal tip to grip the paper.
3. Craft Glue: A clear-drying PVA glue or a tacky glue is essential. You want a glue that grabs quickly but doesn’t soak the paper.
4. Fine-Tip Scissors: For cutting your strips to the right length.
5. Card Stock: A sturdy piece of white, cream, or red card stock to serve as the base of your greeting card.
6. Tweezers: (Optional) These help in placing the delicate scrolls without getting glue on your fingers.
7. Toothpick: Great for applying tiny amounts of glue.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Your Masterpiece

This project requires a little patience, but the result is worth it. We will break it down into manageable steps.

Step 1: Mastering the V-Scroll

Before we build the tree, practice making the V-Scroll shape.

1. Take a strip of green quilling paper (approx. 4 to 6 inches long).
2. Fold the strip in half to find the center crease, then unfold it.
3. Insert one end of the paper into your slotted quilling tool.
4. The Critical Move: Roll the paper towards the outside (away from the center crease). Roll it until you are about halfway to the crease.
5. Remove the tool. You now have one curl.
6. Repeat on the other side. Insert the other end of the paper into the tool and roll it outwards.
7. Release the paper. You should now have a “V” shape with two curly ends facing outward. It looks a bit like a heart or a seagull’s wings.
8. Optional for this project: To make the tree branches sturdier, apply a tiny dot of glue at the very bottom point of the “V” to hold the two stems together.

Step 2: Preparing the Branches

A Christmas tree is tapered—it is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. To achieve this look, we need scrolls of different sizes.

• Top Tier: Use shorter strips (e.g., 3 inches) to make small tight V-scrolls.
• Middle Tier: Use medium strips (e.g., 5 inches) for slightly looser, wider scrolls.
• Bottom Tier: Use long strips (e.g., 7-8 inches) for big, sweeping scrolls.

Pro Tip: Mix your shades of green! A real tree isn’t just one color. Using dark hunter green mixed with lighter meadow green adds depth and realism to your card.

Step 3: Forming the Trunk

Every tree needs a sturdy base.

1. Take a strip of brown quilling paper.
2. You can simply roll it into a tight cylinder (a tight coil) and glue the end.
3. Alternatively, for a square trunk, wrap the paper around a flat object (like a ruler edge) or shape a loose circle into a square by pinching four corners.
4. Glue this trunk to the bottom center of your card stock.

Step 4: Assembling the Tree on the Card

Do not glue anything yet! We are going to do a “dry fit” first.

1. Lay your card stock flat.
2. Place your V-scrolls on the card, starting from the bottom (above the trunk) and working your way up.
3. Arrange the large scrolls at the bottom and the tiny ones at the top.
4. Overlap them slightly so there are no large gaps.
5. Filling the Gaps: If you see white space between the “branches,” you can make simple loose coils (just a circle, pinched into a teardrop) and tuck them into the empty spots.
6. Once you are happy with the shape, lift one piece at a time, apply a tiny dab of glue to the back, and press it gently onto the card.

Step 5: The Finishing Touches

Now that the greenery is done, it’s time to decorate!

• The Star: Use a yellow quilling strip to make a tight coil. Pinch five points to turn it into a star shape and glue it to the very top. Alternatively, you can use a gold sticker or a rhinestone.
• Ornaments: You can glue tiny red rhinestones, sequins, or small tight paper circles onto the V-scrolls to represent Christmas ornaments.
• Snow: Use a white gel pen to add dots around the tree on the card stock to look like falling snow.

Tips for Quilling Success

If you are new to this, here are some secrets to making your card look professional:

• Less Glue is More: The number one mistake beginners make is using too much glue. You only need a pinhead-sized amount. If you use too much, the paper will get soggy and warp. Use a toothpick to apply the glue precisely.
• Symmetry isn’t Necessary: Don’t worry if your V-scrolls aren’t perfectly identical. Real trees have irregular branches. The imperfections make it look organic and handmade.
• Patience with Drying: Allow the card to dry completely flat for at least an hour before you try to write inside it or put it in an envelope.

Why This Craft is Perfect for the Holidays

1. It’s Budget-Friendly: Christmas can be an expensive time of year. This craft allows you to create stunning, personalized gifts for the cost of a few sheets of paper.

2. It’s a Mindfulness Activity: The holidays can be stressful. The repetitive motion of rolling paper strips is incredibly soothing. It allows you to slow down, focus on the task at hand, and step away from the digital world for an hour.

3. It creates a Keepsake: A store-bought card is often thrown away in January. A hand-quilled card is a piece of art. Many recipients will frame these cards or hang them on their tree as an ornament year after year.

Variations to Try

Once you have mastered the basic Green Christmas Tree, try these variations:

• ** The “Snowy” Tree:** Use white paper strips on a dark blue card stock background for a modern, winter-wonderland look.
• The Abstract Tree: Instead of V-scrolls, use only tight circles in different sizes to build a mosaic tree.
• The Hanging Ornament: Instead of gluing the tree to a card, glue the scrolls tightly to each other (side-by-side). Add a string to the top scroll, coat the whole thing in a clear varnish or Mod Podge to harden it, and hang it on your real Christmas tree!

Conclusion

Making a Paper Quilled Christmas Tree Card using the V-Scroll technique is a delightful way to spend a winter afternoon. It bridges the gap between a fun craft for kids and a sophisticated art project for adults.

Whether you are making just one special card for a loved one or a whole batch for your friends and family, the effort you put into curling and shaping each piece of paper will shine through. So, grab your quilling tool, put on your favorite holiday music, and let’s get crafting!