Creative Binder Ideas

When it comes to organizing student papers, the binder is often king. If you depend upon a binder to keep your school needs at least reasonably in order, consider giving this storage device some much-needed TLC. Instead of toting a plain binder with you wherever you go, decorate your binder and give it a bit of customized flair.

Fabric-Covered Creation

Transform your standard binder into a soft-sided creation by creating a fabric cover. Purchase a stretchy fabric in a print of your choice to use in making your binder cover. To craft this cover, measure the dimensions of your binder, cutting a rectangle of fabric that is two inches smaller on each side than the measured binder size. Cut two other rectangles that are half the size, minus two additional inches each, than the first rectangle. Sew your pieces together, stitching each smaller rectangle to one side of the larger to create your cover. Stretch your finished creation over your binder to set it apart from the rest.

Wrapping-Paper Decorations

Create a binder cover that is bold and bright by employing wrapping paper. Select wrapping paper featuring a pattern that appeals to you, or use some wrapping paper that you carefully removed from a birthday or holiday present. Using a binder that has a plastic sleeve on the front cover, cut out a piece of wrapping paper sized to fit into this cover. Write the name of the subject or your name on this piece of wrapping paper, then slip it into the front pocket. Repeat the process, creating pieces to place inside the side and back pockets as well.

Front-and-Center Calendar

Help keep yourself organized by dedicating the front of your binder to the housing of a calendar. Print out a calendar containing one month's worth of dates, or one with several months on it. Decorate this calendar to ensure that it is aesthetically pleasing, then, using a binder with a clear front cover, slip it inside. Pull this calendar out every time you need to note a date or write down an upcoming project.

Friends Collage Binder Cover

Make your binder reflective of those you hold dear by creating a friends collage binder cover. To craft this cover, gather pictures of you and your friends. Arrange these images on a sheet of paper, placing them close together and overlapping in collage style. Slip the creation into the front cover of a binder with a clear front cover or, if your binder doesn't have this feature, use adhesive laminating paper to attach it to the front of your binder, protecting your creation.

References

• Scholastic; Binders Keepers; Risa Young
• EducationWorld: Making Memories the Whole Year Through