How to Make Accordion Fold Books

Accordion fold books are easy to make. In just a few steps you can transform cardboard and decorative papers into your very own book.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard or photo mounting board
• Decorative papers
• Ribbon
• Rubber cement
• Ruler

Instructions

1. 

   Make your book cover. Draw two identical rectangles on a piece of cardboard or photo mounting board. Trace a properly sized rectangular object or use a ruler.

2. 

   Cut the two rectangles out with a precision or utility knife.

3. 

   Place your rectangles over decorative paper. Cut rectangles to cover your cardboard rectangles about 1/2-inch bigger on each side.

4. 

   Brush rubber cement on one piece of cardboard.

5. Place that cardboard down into the center of the wrong side of your decorative paper. Give it time to dry before proceeding.

6. 

   Finish wrapping the cardboard with the decorative paper. Glue down the two vertical sides. Then fold in the corners of the horizontal part of your decorative paper and glue them down. Allow this part of the cover to dry.

7. 

   Repeat this process on your second piece of cardboard.

8. 

   Choose one rectangle for the back cover. Place a line of rubber cement across the center and press a piece of ribbon into it. Make sure your ribbon is long enough to wrap around the book. It doesn't hurt to leave it extra long because you could snip it afterward.

9. Use other decorative paper to make the accordion pages. Place a piece of paper over a dry cover in order to gauge paper height. Cut it at the appropriate spot.

10. Fold that paper into an accordion.

11. To add extra pages, leave 1/4 inch of paper from your first accordion fold and glue it to your second accordion fold.

12. Glue the last accordion page to the back cover. Glue the first page to the front cover. Let them dry.

13. Wrap your ribbon around the book and make a bow. Cut off any excess ribbon. Leave your book tied or display its folds.