Today we are sharing a fun and fantastic paper quilled thanksgiving turkey craft idea which is super easy and fun to make. Thanksgiving is an important time of the year and a time to reflect on the things we are grateful for.
Whether your in the USA celebrating Thanksgiving or in the UK taking part in harvest celebrations, this is a great craft idea to make in the classroom or at home as a fun art quilling project. Enjoy.
Jump to:
💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
- Swirly Feather Fun: The quilled paper feathers are so colorful and eye-catching—kids will love making the spirals.
- Festive Table Decor: Makes an adorable homemade touch to your Thanksgiving table or mantel.
- Holiday Keepsake: It’s a sweet craft you’ll want to pull out year after year for those cozy fall vibes!
🎨 Supplies Needed
- Quilling paper strips – fall colours
- White stationary paper
- Black sharpie
🖌️ How To Make Thanksgiving Turkey Craft
- Step 1: For this project select fall coloured quilling strips. Before getting started with the quilling lets prepare the canvas. Prepare a piece of white stationary paper and also prepare a piece of green craft paper (1 or 1.5 inch wide and length the same length as of the white paper). Glue the green paper along any one side (lengthwise) of the canvas paper.
- Step 2: Select craft papers for the turkey and trace the patterns from the template on the selected papers. Use scissors to cut out the traced patterns.
- Step 3: Use craft glue to join the parts together to form the body of the paper turkey.
- Step 4: Take a 10 inches long quilling strip and coil it with the help of the slotted quilling tool. Take out the coiled strip from the slotted tool and allow the coil to loosen freely.
- Step 5: Take the loose coil and press any one side of it to form teardrop shapes.
- Step 6: Now press the opposite side of the previously pressed side to form a basic eye shape. Glue the open end to secure the shape.
- Step 7: Use the same technique to create more basic eye shapes. Make as many as you need to create the turkey. Also create 3 loose coils; 2 for the turkey’s feet and 1 of any colour. All items ready? Gather the paper prepared in step one and all the other quilled items.
- Step 8: Take any 1 coloured basic eye shaped pieces and glue them on the paper by creating an arch pattern. Take a different coloured basic eye shape and glue them on the 2nd layer; also form an arch shape.
- Step 9: Glue the 3rd layer using different coloured eye shaped pieces and also glue the single coloured loose coil 1 inch below the eye shaped pieces. Finally, glue the paper turkey on the loose coil (below the arch pattern). Add more details if you want to and then allow the glue to dry.
Happy crafting! I do hope you enjoy this paper quilling project.
💡 Pro Tip: Use a slotted quilling tool for consistent coil sizes and consider adding a small bow or ribbon to the turkey's neck for a festive touch.
🧑🎨 Expert Tips
- Select Fall-Coloured Strips: Choose quilling strips in autumn hues like red, orange, yellow, and brown to capture the essence of Thanksgiving.
- Prepare Your Canvas: Begin with a piece of white stationary paper and glue a strip of green craft paper along one side to represent the grass.
- Trace and Cut Patterns: Use the provided template to trace and cut out the turkey's body and facial features from coloured craft papers.
- Create Teardrop Shapes: Coil quilling strips into loose coils, then pinch one end to form teardrop shapes, which will serve as the turkey's feathers.
- Assemble the Feathers: Glue the teardrop-shaped coils in layers, starting from the bottom and working upwards, to form the turkey's vibrant tail feathers.
- Add Final Details: Glue the turkey's body below the feathers, add feet using loose coils, and draw eyes with a black sharpie for added detail.
💭 FAQs
You'll need fall-colored quilling strips, white stationery paper, green craft paper, scissors, glue, and a black sharpie. These materials help bring your autumn-themed design to life.
Yes, it's beginner-friendly and perfect for kids, providing a fun and easy introduction to basic paper quilling techniques through hands-on crafting.
The entire project takes about 30 minutes, including both preparation and assembly, making it a fun and manageable craft for kids.
Yes! It makes a charming addition to your Thanksgiving table or mantelpiece, bringing a warm and personal touch to your holiday celebrations.
Download Printable
Get your free Printable Turkey Template today!
Easy Paper Quilled Thanksgiving Turkey Craft
Materials
- Quilling paper strips – fall colours
- White stationary paper
- Black sharpie
Instructions
- For this project select fall colored quilling strips. Before getting started with the quilling lets prepare the canvas. Prepare a piece of white stationary paper and also prepare a piece of green craft paper (1 or 1.5 inches wide and length the same as the length of the white paper). Glue the green paper along any one side (lengthwise) of the canvas paper.
1. Select craft papers for the turkey and trace the patterns from the template on the selected papers. Use scissors to cut out the traced patterns.
2. Use craft glue to join the parts together to form the body of the paper turkey.
3. Take a 10 inches long quilling strip and coil it with the help of the slotted quilling tool. Take out the coiled strip from the slotted tool and allow the coil to loosen freely.
4. Take the loose coil and press any one side of it to form teardrop shapes.
5. Now press the opposite side of the previously pressed side to form a basic eye shape. Glue the open end to secure the shape.
6. Use the same technique to create more basic eye shapes. Make as many as you need to create the turkey.
7. Create 3 loose coils; 2 for the turkey’s feet and 1 of any color.
8. Gather the paper prepared in step one and all the other quilled items.
9. Take any 1 colored basic eye-shaped pieces and glue them on the paper by creating an arch pattern. Take a different colored basic eye shape and glue them on the 2nd layer; also form an arch shape.
10. Glue the 3rd layer using different colored eye-shaped pieces and also glue the single-colored loose coil 1 inch below the eye-shaped pieces. Finally, glue the paper turkey on the loose coil (below the arch pattern). Add more details if you want to and then allow the glue to dry.
More Fall Crafts You Might Like:
Did you make this craft? Leave a review and comment below! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest.
I would like the pattern of your turkey body. I signed up for the newsletter, but still can't get the turkey body. Thank you
https://www.theinspirationedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Turkey-Craft-Template-1.pdf