Binding papers
into a booklet
Aunt Annie's Crafts
Keepsake Booklets
What you will make -
If you have kids in school, it means that treasured drawings, scores of worksheets, and all manner of school papers fill your home. You and your child can turn those stacks of papers into booklets that will be cherished in years to come.
If you are a teacher, a mountain of papers can accummulate quckly in your classroom. These, too, can be turned into neat booklets with just a stapler and a few supplies.
This project is great for family, classroom or group craft time.
Here's what you need -
- Papers to bind
- Heavy paper or cardstock for covers
- Plain or decorative paper for bindings
- Ruler and pencil
- Scissors or paper trimmer
- Gluestick
- Crayons, markers or colored pencils
- Optional supplies: Bulldog clip, magazines, rubberstamps
This project is rated EASY to do.
How To Make Keepsake Booklets
Read all of the steps before starting.
- Step 1: Project Preparation
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Read through the project then gather the materials needed for making the booklets. You may choose to precut covers and binding strips — this will depend on the age of the children and how much time you have planned for the craft.
- Step 2: Collect Papers
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Collect a group of papers to bind into a booklet. They should all be the same size and make a stack no thicker than what you can easily staple.
- Step 3: Make Covers
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Make front and back covers for your booklet from heavier sheets of paper or from lightweight cardstock. Use sheets of paper the same size as the papers being bound or cut larger sheets to size. Decorate the front cover with an appropriate title and/or picture. You could draw something on the cover, glue on pictures cut from magazines, print a cover designed on your computer, or decorate a cover with rubberstamps.
- Step 4: Cut Binding Strip
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Cut a strip of paper for the booklet binding from paper in a matching or contrasting color. Make the strip the same length as the bound edge of your booklet and about 1½ inches (4 cm) wide.
- Step 5: Make a Stack
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Stack the papers and covers in the order you want. Make sure all the edges are stacked straight and evenly. Lay the binding strip face down on top of the stack, aligned with the left edge. Be sure the left, top, and bottom edges of the binding strip are even with the stack.
If you have a bulldog clip, clip the stack in the middle to hold everything in place.
- Step 6: Staple the Booklet
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Holding the stack firmly, staple 3 or 4 times along the left edge. Make the staples in a vertical line about 1/4 inch from the edge.
- Step 7: Fold and Glue the Binding Strip
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Fold the loose edge of the binding strip back over the staples, around the edge, and to the back. Make creases as needed for a neat look.
Turn the booklet over and glue the loose edge of the binding strip to the back of your booklet. The binding strip should cover the staples completely.
Before you start -
- Make a place to work.
- Read all the directions.
- Get everything you need to do the project.
- Think about the project. Imagine how it will look and what you will do with it.
Are you ready?
Okay, get started!!!
Other Booklet Ideas
Use this easy booklet binding technique anytime you want to save a set of papers.
- Blank sheets of paper can be bound to make a diary.
- School reports can be neatly bound.
- Collections of articles printed from the internet or cut from newspapers and magazines can be grouped for easy reference.
- Kids can make their own joke books or storybooks.
Tip: Aunt Annie's ePapers make nice bindings for booklets.