It’s tool review time! One of my favorite parts of my blog!
I decided to demo a new tool that I have seen around for a while, but I haven’t used in a tutorial before.
I haven’t been able to review quilling tool in a few months and I am excited to share what I learned!
This week, I’m sharing some tips on how to use a curling coach for quilling.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the links below and make a purchase I may receive a small compensation to help me finance this site and keep coming up with awesome tutorials and tips! There’s no cost to you and I only ever include links to companies and products that I trust and work with on a regular basis.
At first glance, I was a bit confused on how to use the curling coach to make coils.
Mine didn’t come with any instructions.
But after some playing and research, I learned that the first step is to insert your quilling tool into the hole at the top.
Then, add your paper and roll like usual, keeping the coach between your paper and the handle of your tool.
It is a bit easier to use a slotted tool, rather than a needle tool. It’s just a bit too difficult to start the roll on the needle tool with the curling coach in place.
The “gingerbread man” shaped design of the curling coach also allows it to sit on its side as you roll, so you can glue with one hand while holding your slotted tool in the other.
The drawn rings are perfect for double-checking that your coils are the same size.
What I liked the most about the curling coach is that it is really helpful for making large coils.
As anyone who makes really large tight coils often knows, they can get pretty wobbly as they get bigger.
I’ll definitely be grabbing this tool the next time I’m making projects like these succulents and flower pots!
A curling coach also has bigger open holes on the bottom.
These help ensure that your coils are opening evenly.
Place your curling coach on a flat surface and set a coil inside. You’ll want to make sure that the coil is right off your quilling tool, and it hasn’t unrolled yet.
Just like a quilling template on a workboard, this feature is ideal for mass quilling or flower making when you want all your petals to be the exact same size.
Note – for all my fellow Americans, the holes are measured in metric length.
In inches, the top hole is approximately .43″ and the bottom is .63″.
That being said, it did come with 3 quilling tools.
I received a pretty standard slotted tool and an average needle tool, but also a long slotted tool which is a really handy tool and essential for making long cones, like the body of this monarch butterfly.
Here’s a negative – the hole in my curling coach wasn’t centered. That was pretty frustrating.
If I was really depending on using this tool to keep my tight coils the same size, they would all be slightly off.
I didn’t read anything about this in the reviews of my curling coach, so this must just be mine.
All in all, I’m happy that I picked up this inexpensive tool.
Once I figured out how to use a curling coach for quilling, I realized which features I would use often, like stabilizing large tight coils for 3D quilling.
I might not use the large rings to measure my coils, though, because I like to a measure my strips before I start rolling.
Do you have a curling coach? How do you use yours?
If you’re thinking of picking one up, ask me any questions below!
Happy crafting!
thank yo for that review i have never heard of a curling coach and now hope to get one
sheila
Great! Let me know how it works for you!
I love my curling coach! I use it extensively with my slotted tool. I have not figured out the trick yet to mastering the needle tool for those really tight centers, but I get pretty decent smooth centers with the slotted tool and curling coach.
Awesome, Holly! I’m glad you’ve found it useful too!
I’ve found the end of my tool too long for using the coach. I’m new to quilling so thought I was doing something wrong? Maybe I just need to buy a shorter tool but it’s a standard length I think.
Hmmmm, I’m not sure, Clair. The curling coach I have came with a couple tools, so those are the only ones that I’ve tried. Are you able to pull your tool out a bit so the paper is flush with the coach? I know it’s a bit trickier on your hands, but it’s worth a try!
My quilling coach also has the off center hole so I thought it was not going to be of much use and haven’t really used it. I haven’t found the need for making really large coils so far in my work but maybe in the future I will.
It’s strange, isn’t it? I hope they fix that problem soon!
I am new to quilling . Thank you for showing me something new .
Glad to help, Elisabeth. Take a look around for a while, there’s loads of tutorials and reviews on my site. Let me know if I can help with any questions!
Mine is also off center… bad batch i guess.
Thanks for the demo- I have one and never used it cuz no directions came with it, I did use the big cut outs, but didn’t know about putting the needle head into the top!
Glad to help!
I’m new to quilling and not sure how long my strips need to be a get the pattern the correct size. Any help with that will be appreciated. If something says 3” – 1/8 “ what does that mean in the pattern?
It’s hard to know exactly without seeing what pattern you’re referring to, but I’m guessing it means a 3 inch strip of quilling paper that’s 1/8” wide. I hope that helps!
Thank you for posting this, I got it in the kit I ordered and hadn’t figured out what it was for yet!
Glad to help solve the mystery!
Thank you for this info. I just purchased a starter kits and the quilling coach was included. I had no idea what it was used for.
Glad I could help with that!
If you’re not using the quilling tool how do you keep the strips in line ?
I’m not sure I understand your question. In this tool review, I do use the quilling tool they included. Can you give some more detail so I can help you out in the best way I can?
Thank you for your prompt response. Perhaps this isn’t the right place to ask this but I mean if I don’t have the quilling coach do you have any tips for keeping the strips in line as you roll them. Thanks for any help.
No problem! I’m glad to be able to try to help. The quilling coach is absolutely not necessary. It’s just a fun tool to play with. When I’m using a needle tool, I sometimes push my coil all the way up the needle so it’s by the base and that can help keep it straight as I roll. Also, slowing down as you roll will help. But some unevenness when you’re rolling is fine. It will usually straighten out when you take the paper off of your tool.
Is there a standard length of paper for the size of curl you want ie -sometimes I have too much paper and the curl in a leaf or petal is too tight and not airy just more of a bunch instead of curls. Then I know it is too much paper. But is there a standard length like 10” or 7”? Thanks. Love watching you tutorials.
It all depends on the size of the finished shape. Simply put, you would need to use more paper for a larger petal, etc. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any set formula. I use a lot of trial and error, but it does get easier to guess after you’ve been quilling for a while. Sometimes, it’s a really good thing that paper is so cheap!
I found Quilling about a month ago Thank goodness for Amazon I bought the tool box it’s excellent more or less everything I would need Then I discovered Papery Craftery It’s the best
I am obsessed I can stop learning and practicing
I have created my first birthday card
Love it all
Sue Symons
So great to hear! Thanks so much for your support 😁 please let me know if you have any questions!
I am fine at the moment thanks
I’ve just started quilling and in the kit I bought was a curling coach and until now I didn’t know what it was for, so thank you. But like your own, mine also has an off centre hole