How to Make a Piano Hinge Book

A piano hinge book is not as complicated to make as it looks.

A piano hinge book can be used as a scrapbook, picture book or sticker book--the possibilities are seemingly endless. This project is fun to do with children or with your crafty friends. It also makes a great gift. Making piano hinge books with different themes is as easy as changing the paper and decorative beads you use for each one.

Things You'll Need

• 10 sheets 8½-by-11 inch cardstock
• 1 sheet thick 8 ½-by-11 inch decorative or handmade paper
• Bone folder
• X-acto knife or craft knife
• Cutting mat
• Sharp scissors
• Photo cutter (optional)
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Craft gel adhesive or strong bonding glue
• 11 bamboo skewers
• Waxed linen thread or waxed dental floss
• Beads and shells with holes
• Clear acrylic sealer
• Dremel tool or wire cutters

Instructions

Making the Signatures

1. 

   Fold each piece of cardstock in half, one at a time. Make a defined crease by folding the cardstock over the sharper edge of the bone folder. Using the scissors or photo cutter, cut each piece in half to make 20 8 ½-by-5 ½ inch sheets.

2. 

   Again, fold each piece of cardstock in half, using the bone folder to define the crease. The folded sheet is called a folio.

3. 

   Place one folio inside the other. The two folios together make a signature. Continue putting the signatures together, two folios in each. When you are done, you should have 10 signatures.

4. 

   On one signature, use the ruler to mark out four triangular-shaped notches in the folded side. Try to space the notches evenly; these can be 1 to 1 ½ cm at the widest point. Cut the notches out with the scissors. This signature is now your template.

5. Place the signature template over each uncut signature, one at a time. Mark the notches in each signature, then cut the notches out with the scissors.Be precise when marking the notches with the template so that the notches line up evenly.

Making the Cover and Binding

1. 

   Fold the handmade paper in half and cut to make two pieces measuring 8 ½-by-5 ½ inches. Fold each sheet in half one at a time and glue together. Leave an unglued margin 1 to 1 ½ inches from the fold. If necessary, place the two sheets underneath a heavy book to dry flat.

2. 

   Using one of the signatures, mark off the four notches in the folded edge of each book cover with a pencil. The pieces between the notches are the five tabs. Using the ruler as a straight edge, align it just above the top of each notch. Draw a straight line over the tabs on both covers.

3. 

   Following the straight line, cut the first, third and fifth tab from one cover with the craft knife on the cutting mat. Cut the second and fourth tab from the other cover. Fold back the tabs on the cover with two tabs, then line this piece up with one of the signatures. Fold the second and fourth tabs back on the signature.

4. 

   Begin weaving a skewer through the first tab on the signature and pass it through the cover tab, then the third signature tab, then the next cover tab, and then out through the last signature tab. Push the skewer through until the ends protrude evenly from both sides.

5. 

   Fold back the second and fourth tabs on the next signature, place it next to the first signature woven through the cover and weave another skewer through. Be sure to alternate tabs on the signatures as you go, as this will keep them together. Repeat the process until you have woven all the signatures together, then add the back cover.

Sewing and Decorating

1. 

   Cut four 12-inch pieces from the waxed linen thread and four 18-inch pieces. Use the 12-inch pieces to sew the bottom of the book and the 18-inch pieces for the top. Begin sewing at the bottom by folding one of the 12-inch pieces in half and positioning the crease over the skewers at the front of the book. Bring the two ends back toward the skewers at the back of the book, and make sure they are even.

2. Holding one side of the string down, weave the other side through the skewers until you reach the back. Then weave the other string through the opposite skewers. When you are weaving, keep the thread close to the signatures and maintain tension evenly. Double-knot the two ends together over the last skewer.

3. 

   Repeat the process with the other three 12-inch lengths of thread, then weave the 18-inch lengths at the top in the same fashion, sewing this time toward the front of the book (the top string knots will be in front, and the bottom strings are knotted at the back of the book). Strings should appear neat. If you find you have skipped a skewer or doubled up the string on one, pull the string and start it over. Ideally, you should check for evenness as you go.

4. Check the knots at the top and bottom for tightness, then trim the strings at the bottom, leaving ½ inch to 1 inch of thread hanging. Use the wire cutters or Dremel tool to trim the skewers down at the top and bottom.

5. 

   Add shells and beads to the strings at the top. If you do not want to decorate all eight strings, trim the unused strings down to an inch away from the knot; alternately, if you have three undecorated, braid them together and add a bead or two at the bottom before knotting.

6. 

   Spray the clear acrylic sealer over the binding thread and on the knots at the end of the decorated threads.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not trim strings too close to the knot, as this can encourage unraveling.

• Use caution when weaving with the bamboo skewers---they are sharp! Apply the clear acrylic sealer in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors, and do not use around children or pets.

Resources

• Scrapjazz
• Making Mini Scrapbooks