How do you make a quill pen out of paper?

Start with a rectangular piece of paper. A standard printer paper or any other similar size paper will work.

Fold the paper in half lengthwise, creating a long strip.

Along the folded edge, cut small slits about halfway through the paper, spaced evenly apart. These slits will create the "feathers" of the quill pen.

Unfold the paper. You should see the slits along one side, resembling the feathered edge of a quill pen.

Roll the paper tightly from one end to the other, with the slitted edge on the outside.

Once rolled, secure the paper in place with tape or glue. Make sure it's tightly rolled to maintain its shape.

Your paper quill pen is now ready to use! You can dip the slitted end into ink or paint to write or draw.

This homemade paper quill pen may not be as functional as a traditional feather quill pen, but it's a fun and creative way to explore writing with a historical twist!

 

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Step 1: Selecting a Quill Once I choose a proper quill I strip the feathers from the bottom of the shaft to make the pen easier to handle. Step 2: Scraping the Membrane With a Knife The quill has a membrane covering the surface toward the tip. This is gently scraped off with a sharp knife. Step 3: Finding the Bottom of the Quill Barrel. At this point, I turn the quill so that the shaft arcs downward. I want to find the natural bottom of the quill barrel, the oval directed up and down. Step 4: Finding the Bottom of the Quill Barrel and Making the First Cut The pen is now ready to be cut. With the belly of the shaft facing up, the first cut takes off the tip of the quill at an acute angle. Step 5: Removing the Quick You will notice the quick within the quill. This must be removed. Step 6: The Second Cut The second cut follows the direction of the first, but is shorter and at a blunter angle. Step 7: Cutting the Slit A slit is cut into the center of the tip. This allows the ink to flow from the pen. Step 8: Shaping the Pen The sides of the pen can be trimmed to make a fine point or the tip can be trimmed to a chisel edge for broad, calligraphic lines. Step 9: The Finished Pen The pen can be trimmed and sharpened periodically during the drawing process, and with proper maintenance can last for many drawing sessions. read less