Accordion Fold Book with Stand-alone Cover

Background
This  is a book structure I learned from local artist Linda Smith.

Materials
  • One 4.5" x 30" sheet of paper for interior accordion
  • One 6.5" x 15 + 9/16" sheet of paper for exterior cover
  • One 4.5" x 9" Card stock for cover stiffener pieces
Step-by-Step Photos
Accordion Book Block Guidelines
  • Score and fold 7/8" on one end of sheet. Then fold in half up to the 7/8" mark, and again to create four mountain folds.
  • Fold the 7/8" flange in half and glue together.

Stand-alone Cover Guidelines
  • Measure 1" from top of of cover paper and fold over on the inside.
  • Place book block at top of folded over sheet and mark the bottom. Fold this over also on inside.
  • Fold out the top and bottom again and mark 3 + 11/16" from the top left. Score and fold.
  • Cut two cover cards at 3 + 11/16" x 4.5" and one spine card at 1/4" x 4.5". Glue these in to help stiffen covers and spine. Make sure to center spine first, then leave slight gap on either side.
  • Mark 1/2" on left side. Do not glue in this area. Glue the top and bottom flaps and fold over. Crease with bone folder. Score joints on either side of spine and on edges of cover boards.
  • Fold right flap over, carefully line up and scare along spine. Open back up, glue, fold and burnish down.
  • Fold left hand flap over, carefully line up and score along spine. Open back up, glue and burnish down
  • Now tuck book block flange into pocket at spine's edge. You may wish to glue this piece in when you glue down the left flap.

Handout with drawings