Introduction: Accordian Pocket for a Journal, Sketchbook, Etc.

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Create an accordion pocket for your sketchbook.

Supplies

Materials:

  • One sheet of paper or cardstock 3x the width of your book cover x the height of your book cover.
  • Two small pieces of paper 3" x the width of your book cover.
  • Glue

Tools:

  • Knife
  • Scrap of cardboard to spread glue
  • Pencil

Optional addons:

  • One sheet of wax paper or other waste paper
  • Any heavy book
  • Cutting mat


Step 1: Fold the Large Sheet of Paper in Thirds.

Make sure the inside leaf is the smallest.

The entire trifold paper should fit inside your book cover, 1/8" in from top, bottom, and outer edge, 1/4" in from inside edge.

Cut off any excess paper.

Step 2: Fold the Small Sheets of Paper 4x Into an "M" Shape

Each fold should be 3/4" wide.

Make sure the small sheets are shorter than the shortest width of your trifold paper. Cut off any excess.

Step 3: Open Your Trifold Paper and Glue One End of Your Paper "M" Accordians to the Inside of the Fold

The inside leg of the "M" should be glued to the innermost face of your trifold paper. (See image)

Step 4: Glue the First Fold, With the "M"s Attached, Down to the Second Fold So That the First Leg of the "M" Is Enclosed

This will create a doubled thickness of paper for the outside of your pocket, with the leg of the "M" embedded inside.

Step 5: Fold the Last of the Trifold Sheet Under the Other Leg of the "M"


Make sure the leg of the M is on top of the last sheet of the trifold.

Step 6: Glue the Outer Leg of the "M" to the Outside of the Last Trifold

Step 7: Apply a Thin Layer of Glue to the Perimeter of Your Pocket and Glue It to the Inside Cover of Your Book

Make sure it is square.

The opening of the pocket should face the inside edge of your journal.

Step 8: Press the Book Until the Glue Is Dry. Finished!

You may want to insert a sheet of wax or other heavy paper between the pocket and the text block to prevent the moisture from the glue from wrinkling your pages.