Bookmaking DIY: Travel Scrapbook

Please welcome crafty mama Pooja Makhijani with a 3-part series on DIY bookmaking projects you can do with your little ones!

I first learned basic bookbinding at the Center for the Book Arts in Chelsea, New York City, and continued my studies as a creative writing graduate student in the U.S. I have taught the book arts in a variety of educational, corporate, and community settings in Singapore since 2011. I’ve worked with children and senior citizens, and I relish the challenge of sharing my love of this quirky art with those who may not have the access or the means to procure expensive tools and materials.

Basic bookbinding requires no heavy equipment. All you need are a ruler and scissors and a few other minor tools. If you are keen on building a professional-quality hand bookbinding toolbox, click here to see where in Singapore you might buy your materials (or a close approximation thereof).

Here, I’ve partnered with Keith Premchand to bring to you and your children three easy bookbinding techniques. This series of posts by no means encompasses everything there is to know about book making, but I hope that it will inspire you to explore more!

PROJECT 1: ACCORDION-BOUND TRAVEL SCRAPBOOK

The accordion book is a folded structure; the book is made by simply folding a sheet of paper back and forth in page-width increments.

Tools

• A bone folder, a flat, polished tool made of bone or plastic for turning corners on cloth and leather, scoring paper, folding, smoothing out surfaces, and burnishing surfaces
• Acid-free pH neutral glue stick

Materials

• 2 sheets 4 ½” x 8 1/8” paper for cover
• 1 sheet 11 ½” x 16 ½” paper for pages

1. Using your bonefolder, fold lengthwise 3 5/6” from the bottom.

2. Now, fold the paper in half widthwise. Fold one edge back towards the initial fold. The top half of the paper now has two pages; each is 1/4 the width of the total sheet.

3. Flip the sheet over and repeat the procedure.

4. Glue the pocket edge down to the paper.

5. Apply a thin layer of glue to the page. Carefully place the page in the center of the cover and press down.

6. Flip the book over and repeat the procedure. Use your bonefolder to smooth out any imperfections.

Voila! Now take a trip to fill up your travel journal!