Strips Needed
15
Total Cost
$6.50
Total Time
1 hr 39 min
| Shape | Count | Strip Length | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tight Coil | 5 | 25.0" | 10 min |
| Loose Coil | 10 | 70.0" | 25 min |
| Teardrop | 8 | 56.0" | 24 min |
| Marquise | 6 | 42.0" | 18 min |
| Scroll | 4 | 40.0" | 14 min |
| Heart Scroll | 2 | 18.0" | 8 min |
Handmade quilled art sells for $25–$150+ on Etsy depending on size and detail
Inputs
Result
A greeting card with 35 mixed coils at 3mm strip width uses about 380 inches of strip length total. With 17-inch strips, that requires 23 strips—well within a single 100-strip pack at $6.50.
Inputs
Result
A small 5×7-inch framed piece with 100 mixed coils uses about 1,095 inches of strip length. With 17-inch strips, 65 strips are needed—still fitting within a single 100-strip pack. Total project time is about 6 hours including assembly.
Inputs
Result
A large 8×10-inch frame with 250 coils at wider 5mm strip width uses about 3,545 inches of paper. With 21-inch strips, 170 strips are needed across 2 packs. The wider strips create bolder, more sculptural coils.
The number of strips depends on coil types, strip width, and strip length. A greeting card with 35 mixed coils at 3mm strip width using 17-inch strips needs about 23 strips. A small 5×7 frame with 100 coils needs about 65 strips. Wider strips (5mm, 10mm) use more paper per coil. Each coil type uses a different average strip length—tight coils use 5 inches, scrolls use 10 inches.
| Project | Coils | Strips (3mm) | Strips (5mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Flower | 8 | ~6 | ~8 |
| Greeting Card | 35 | ~23 | ~30 |
| Small Frame | 100 | ~65 | ~85 |
| Large Frame | 250 | ~160 | ~210 |
Quilling paper strips cost about $6.50 per pack of 100 strips. A greeting card project uses less than one pack ($6.50). A small framed piece needs 1 pack ($6.50). Large frames need 2 packs ($13.00). The cost per coil ranges from $0.07 to $0.19 depending on project size and waste. Quilling tools (slotted tool, tweezers, glue) add a one-time cost of $10–$20.
| Project Size | Packs | Material Cost | Cost per Coil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Flower (8) | 1 | $6.50 | $0.81 |
| Greeting Card (35) | 1 | $6.50 | $0.19 |
| Small Frame (100) | 1 | $6.50 | $0.07 |
| Large Frame (250) | 2 | $13.00 | $0.05 |
The most versatile widths are 3mm and 5mm. Use 1.5mm for fine detail and miniature work. Use 3mm for standard projects like greeting cards and small frames. Use 5mm for bolder designs and easier handling. Use 10mm for sculptural and 3D quilling. Wider strips use more paper per coil (about 30% more at 5mm, 80% more at 10mm compared to 3mm).
| Width | Paper Use vs 3mm | Handling | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5mm | 30% less | Difficult | Fine detail, miniatures |
| 3mm | Baseline | Easy | Cards, frames, general |
| 5mm | 30% more | Easiest | Bold designs, beginners |
| 10mm | 80% more | Moderate | 3D sculptures |
Individual coils take 2–4 minutes each, depending on complexity. A tight coil takes about 2 minutes, a loose coil or teardrop takes 2.5–3 minutes, and complex shapes like squares and hearts take 3.5–4 minutes. Assembly and gluing adds about 30% to total coiling time. A greeting card with 35 coils takes about 2–2.5 hours total.
| Project | Coils | Coiling Time | Total with Assembly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Flower | 8 | ~20 min | ~25 min |
| Greeting Card | 35 | ~1 hr 40 min | ~2 hr 10 min |
| Small Frame | 100 | ~4 hr 50 min | ~6 hr 20 min |
| Large Frame | 250 | ~12 hr | ~15 hr 30 min |
120gsm paper is the ideal weight for most quilling projects. It holds shape well, coils smoothly, and is forgiving of beginner mistakes. 80gsm paper is thinner and tears easily but is useful for very tight coils. 160gsm is thicker and holds 3D shapes better but is harder to coil and recommended for experienced quillers doing sculptural work.
| Paper Weight | Coiling Ease | Shape Retention | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80gsm | Easy | Poor | Tiny tight coils only |
| 120gsm | Smooth | Good | Most projects |
| 160gsm | Harder | Excellent | 3D sculptural work |
Read our guide
Read our guide
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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.