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You are currently viewing Adorable Paper Quilling Animal Designs for Crafters

Adorable Paper Quilling Animal Designs for Crafters

Paper quilling is pure magic—taking thin strips of paper and turning them into stunning, intricate art with just a few rolls, twists, and folds!

I’ve known many crafters, and what they most have in common and can’t get enough of, is adorable animal designs.

If you’re looking for your next paper quilling inspiration, here are some 12 must-try animal designs that will add whimsy and detail to your craft collection.

Butterfly Bliss 🦋

Elegant, delicate, and bursting with color

Create a vibrant quilled butterfly with intricately layered wings, blending soft pastels and rich jewel tones. Delicate swirls extend from its antennae, creating a graceful and airy effect, perfect for greeting cards or wall art.

A vibrant quilled butterfly with intricately layered wings, blending soft pastels and rich jewel tones. Delicate swirls extend from its antennae, creating a graceful and airy effect, perfect for greeting cards or wall art.

How to Create It:

  • Use a gradient effect with different shades of the same color for a realistic look.
  • Create curved, swirling patterns to mimic delicate wing details.
  • Add a thin black outline for definition and contrast.
  • Use metallic paper strips for a subtle shimmer.
  • Mount on a watercolor background for an ethereal finish.

Cute Quilled Owls 🦉

Whimsical and wise with big, expressive eyes

Create a charming little owl perched on a quilled branch, its eyes wide and bright. Layers of finely curled paper create fluffy-looking feathers, and a tiny beak peeks out from its round face.

A charming little owl perched on a quilled branch, its eyes wide and bright. Layers of finely curled paper create fluffy-looking feathers, and a tiny beak peeks out from its round face.

How to Create It:

  • Use tight coils for big, round eyes to give them that signature owl charm.
  • Layer small, curved strips to create a feathery texture.
  • Add tiny quilled feet to perch on a delicate branch.
  • Incorporate different shades of brown and cream for a natural look.
  • Accent with glossy black paper for a lifelike eye effect.

Playful Dolphins 🐬

Dynamic and full of movement

You can create a quilled dolphin leaping out of swirling blue waves, its sleek body shaped with flowing paper curves. The ocean-inspired colors create a sense of movement and playfulness.

A quilled dolphin leaping out of swirling blue waves, its sleek body shaped with flowing paper curves. The ocean-inspired colors create a sense of movement and playfulness.

How to Create It:

  • Use long, curved paper strips to mimic the dolphin’s smooth body.
  • Incorporate gradient blues for an oceanic feel.
  • Create quilled water splashes for a dynamic effect.
  • Add a tiny white dot in the eye for a realistic touch.
  • Mount on light blue cardstock for a breezy background.

Quilled Elephants 🐘

Strong yet gentle, with a heartwarming presence

Create a lovable quilled elephant, its large ears crafted from soft, rounded coils and its trunk curling into a playful pose. A small, pink heart floats near its trunk, adding a touch of sweetness.

A lovable quilled elephant, its large ears crafted from soft, rounded coils and its trunk curling into a playful pose. A small, pink heart floats near its trunk, adding a touch of sweetness.

How to Create It:

  • Use soft grays and pastels for a gentle, friendly look.
  • Shape large ears with spiraled layers for added dimension.
  • Create a curled trunk using tightly rolled strips.
  • Add mini floral details for a decorative touch.
  • Display on a kraft paper background for a vintage feel.

Hummingbird in Flight 🌸

Fast, vibrant, and full of energy

Create a quilled hummingbird hovering mid-air, its wings a blur of delicate loops and swirls. Its tiny beak reaches for a quilled flower, capturing a moment of nature’s beauty.

A quilled hummingbird hovering mid-air, its wings a blur of delicate loops and swirls. Its tiny beak reaches for a quilled flower, capturing a moment of nature’s beauty.

How to Create It:

  • Use fine, elongated loops for fluttering wings.
  • Incorporate bold greens, purples, and blues for a realistic touch.
  • Add a slight 3D lift by shaping the wings outward.
  • Create tiny quilled flowers for an extra pop of color.
  • Use a contrasting background to make the colors stand out.

Adorable Fox 🦊

Sly, sweet, and full of personality

Create a cozy little fox curled up with its tail wrapped around itself, made from warm orange and soft cream tones. Its tiny black nose peeks out playfully, bringing this charming woodland creature to life.

A cozy little fox curled up with its tail wrapped around itself, made from warm orange and soft cream tones. Its tiny black nose peeks out playfully, bringing this charming woodland creature to life.

How to Create It:

  • Use tight coils for the face and a looser, swirled technique for the tail.
  • Blend orange, white, and brown shades for a natural look.
  • Add tiny black beads for eyes for extra dimension.
  • Shape the ears with sharp, pointed coils for a foxy expression.
  • Mount on wood-textured paper for a rustic effect.

Regal Peacock 🦚

A show-stopping masterpiece of color and detail

Create a majestic peacock, its tail feathers fanned out in a stunning array of jewel-toned quills, each tipped with an eye-catching swirl.

A majestic peacock, its tail feathers fanned out in a stunning array of jewel-toned quills, each tipped with an eye-catching swirl.

How to Create It:

  • Use emerald greens, deep blues, and gold accents.
  • Create layered loops for feathery textures.
  • Add tiny metallic details for an opulent touch.
  • Arrange tail feathers in a symmetrical pattern.
  • Mount on dark navy paper for a dramatic contrast.

Bumblebee 🐝

Cute & Easy

Create a tiny, chubby quilled bumblebee with bold black-and-yellow stripes, delicate paper wings, and little curly antennae. It’s buzzing near a bright daisy, ready to bring a little sunshine to your craft project!

A tiny, chubby quilled bumblebee with bold black-and-yellow stripes, delicate paper wings, and little curly antennae. It’s buzzing near a bright daisy, ready to bring a little sunshine to your craft project!

How to Recreate It:

1️⃣ Roll two tight coils—one black and one yellow—to form the bee’s body.
2️⃣ Stack and glue them together to create the round shape.
3️⃣ Make two small white quilled teardrops for wings and attach them.
4️⃣ Add tiny paper antennae for extra cuteness.
5️⃣ Use a fine-tipped pen to draw tiny smiling eyes.

Cute Quilled Turtle 🐢

Tiny & Cute

Create a tiny quilled turtle, its shell a mosaic of swirling green coils. It looks like it’s waddling across the sand, ready to take a dip in the ocean!

A tiny quilled turtle, its shell a mosaic of swirling green coils. It looks like it’s waddling across the sand, ready to take a dip in the ocean!

How to Recreate It:

1️⃣ Make a large green coil and shape it into a slightly domed shell.
2️⃣ Use smaller green coils for the legs and head.
3️⃣ Add a brown coil underneath for contrast.
4️⃣ Attach tiny black beads or paper dots for eyes.
5️⃣ Glue onto a sandy background for extra charm!

Quilled Bunny – Perfect for Spring & Easter Crafts! 🐇

Perfect for Spring & Easter Crafts

Create a soft pastel quilled bunny, with long ears that droop slightly, sitting among tiny paper flowers. A small, fluffy tail completes the sweet look!

A soft pastel quilled bunny, with long ears that droop slightly, sitting among tiny paper flowers. A small, fluffy tail completes the sweet look!

How to Recreate It:

1️⃣ Make a white oval coil for the body.
2️⃣ Create a smaller oval for the head and attach them.
3️⃣ Form two elongated teardrop shapes for the ears.
4️⃣ Use a tiny pink coil for the nose.
5️⃣ Add whiskers using fine paper strips.

Colorful Quilled Fish 🐠

A Splash of Creativity

Create a vibrant quilled fish, its tail flowing like a tropical betta fish. The mix of orange, red, and yellow coils makes it look like it’s swimming in the ocean!

A vibrant quilled fish, its tail flowing like a tropical betta fish. The mix of orange, red, and yellow coils makes it look like it’s swimming in the ocean!

How to Recreate It:

1️⃣ Make a long orange teardrop shape for the body.
2️⃣ Use swirling coils to create dramatic tail fins.
3️⃣ Add tiny black beads for the eyes.
4️⃣ Decorate the body with layered colors for a realistic effect.
5️⃣ Attach to a blue background for an underwater scene.

Lucky Quilled Ladybug 🐞

Small but Sweet!

Create a tiny red quilled ladybug, resting on a bright green leaf. It has cute black paper dots and delicate antennae.

Create a tiny red quilled ladybug, resting on a bright green leaf. It has cute black paper dots and delicate antennae.

How to Recreate It:

1️⃣ Make a tight red coil for the body.
2️⃣ Use black paper strips to form a head and spots.
3️⃣ Add tiny antennae and legs using fine black quilling strips.
4️⃣ Attach to a quilled leaf for a complete look.

Quilling is such a fun and rewarding craft, especially when you bring animals to life with delicate paper details!

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12 Adorable Paper Quilling Animal Designs for Crafters
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