Handmade accordion book with pockets
February 16, 2012 4:18 pm craft techniques
This handmade accordion book with pockets is based on a project I saw in Making Handmade Books: 100+ Bindings, Structures & Forms
US readers can order from Amazon US
UK readers can order from Amazon UK
Children should be supervised by adults, if they want to make this project.
Where can I buy art and craft materials?
Dick Blick Art Materials sell a vast range of art materials. It is an art supplies company that is based in the US.
If you order over a certain amount, shipping can be free within the US, conditions apply. Orders placed from outside the US will have a different shipping charge and may be subject to import duties. (Click on the shipping information link at the bottom of the page on Dick Blick Art Materials for details.)
You can also buy craft materials from ScrapbookingAlley.com, who are also based in the US.
If you are based in the UK, Hobbycraft is a good place to buy very similar art and craft materials.
How to make a handmade accordion book with pockets, step-by-step
You will need:
- papers of your choice to cover the book board and for the inside accordion pages
- book board
- craft knife or scissors
- glue or craft stick
- green paint such as gouache
- sponge
- matt or flat varnish
- tag
- toggle, button or fastener
- cord
- brad or brads
- stamps and ink (optional)
- seed packets (optional)
Accordion book with pockets
This handmade book has an accordion design with pockets to hold seed packets.
Step One
Make the book cover, using a square of bookboard (or reuse the card at the back of an old sketchbook). I've measured this to fit seed packets for herbs. You can make it in any size you wish. Cut paper to cover the board 5mm (1/2 inch) bigger than the board and cut the corners before folding over and gluing the paper to the board.
Step Two
After the glue has dried, you can paint or distress the cover. I sponged mine with green gouache paint to create a mottled effect. I then sprayed it with matt varnish.
Step Three
You will need to make a tag for the title of your book. I reused a tag from an item of clothing I bought recently and stamped a title on to it.
Step Four
Attach the tag to the cover with a decorate brad. I used a silver flower brad.
Step Five
With a bradawl, make two holes in the front cover and wrap a short piece of cord around a button or toggle to attach it to the front cover.
Step Six
You will need a length of cord that wraps around the book. Attach one end to the opposite side of the front cover to your toggle or fastener by making a hole with a bradawl and gluing it at the back. Attach a bead or charm to the loose end of the cord.
Step Seven
You will need to fold the paper for the inside pages. It needs to be a third longer than your seed packet or item and long enough to fold into an accordion shape. Fold over the bottom of the long strip of paper and fold according to the width and number of your seed packets.
Step Eight
Glue the ends of the accordion pages to the back of the book covers. The pages will cover over the back of your cord and any brads you've attached to the front cover.
Step Nine
Once you've glued the pages to the covers, you can start to decorate the pages. I made some maple leaves using paper. Cut out the leaf shape, paint and leave to dry.
Step Ten
Glue the paper leaves to the pages and glue a short length of string to look like the stem. Use stamps as lettering and to decorate the leaf. I used a ladybird stamp to decorate mine.
Step Eleven
You can insert the seed packets into their pockets.
Step Twelve
I decorated the pages with shell stamps and Indigo ink.
Finished handmade accordian book
You can give the finished handmade accordion book as a gift.
