How to Make an Accordion Box
An accordion box is similar to an accordion book -- it has pages that are folded back and forth in a zig-zag fashion. The pages on an accordion box are attached to the lid so they unfold and reveal their message when the box is opened. You can also tuck a small gift in the box for an extra surprise.
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Things You'll Need
- Small box with lid
- Card stock
- Paper cutter
- Pen
- Ruler
- Bone folder
- Double-sided tape
Instructions
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1
Measure the width of the inside of the lid of the box. Subtract 1/2 inch.
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2
Cut an 8 1/2-by-11-inch piece of card stock the width of the measurement from Step 1 and 11 inches long. Use the paper cutter.
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3
Measure the length of the inside of the box lid and subtract 1/4 inch. This will be the width of your pages.
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4
Place the card stock you cut previously on a clean, flat surface. Mark the measurement from Step 3 on the card by making a tiny indentation with the bone folder. Line up your ruler with the mark and score a line all the way across the strip of card stock with the bone folder.
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5
Fold the card stock along the score and flip it over. With the flap facing down on the table, measure the same distance from Step 3 on the card stock and score the line again as in Step 4. Fold along this line in the opposite direction of the first fold.
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6
Repeat Step 5 until you get to the end of the card stock. Trim off any excess paper.
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7
Fold the "book" you have just made into its accordion shape. The front of the book will be attached to the inside of the box, so there's no need to decorate that, but do decorate the rest of the pages. Add a personal message, poem, drawings, photographs or anything else you want.
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8
Attach the "cover" of the book to the inside of the lid with double-sided tape, and let the rest of the book hang down into the box.
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Tips & Warnings
Design your book on the a computer and print out the pages if you want to make more than one.
You can decorate the outside of the box any way you like -- for instance, by tying it with ribbon and adding a bow on top.
