A quick review of sixteen ways to build a mini-book or bind a junk journal.
Mini-books are a fun way to show off your paper crafting skills. I love to use these as mega-cards and mini-scrapbooks. Junk journals are a great way to use leftovers from other paper crafts, junk mail, and old magazines. A junk journal can be a written journal, a visual journal, a commonplace book, a smash book, a foldaway vision board, or all of the above.
There are many, many ways to do this. Let’s look at some binding methods, starting from the least amount of equipment and supplies required to the most. After each section I have linked to longer tutorials by other people on the binding methods.
Short video showing each type: https://youtu.be/RsW94sLzZBM
- REQUIRES GLUE AND PAPER ONLY
- accordion spine
Fold a paper into an accordion, then attach the cover and pages to the accordion.
Trisha at Club Scrap on accordion spine: https://youtu.be/6pTbiM0azTg?si=eomt0pXm6PZTjJ97
Graphic45 hidden accordion spine: https://youtu.be/hSbNBm-zCt8?si=7TD5-8P3kX84WQa_
similar to the Tonic My Memory Book approach
- hinge binding
Use a strip of paper and glue one side to each page, or to the cover and first/last page.
Elizabeth Craft Designs on hinge binding: (at about 16:05) https://www.youtube.com/live/y9Ro3IQEGmk?si=bnTa4Zd8jtalbnbw
- accordion book
Make a long strip of paper, attaching more and more using glue. Fold back and forth into an accordion, with each flat the desired page size. It’s best not to but the attachment at the fold point.
Megjournals on accordion books: https://youtu.be/95UbfpizZzk?si=aKApxGrPQSXP4BfD
- box fold
Fold each page into a U-shape, with each U increasing in size. The spine or cover should be the largest U. Nest the pages in order by size and attach by gluing at the U.
Stace Stace on box fold https://youtu.be/lQBx5F4Ysow?si=0QYRD8FUFk2QAl0b
2) USES COMMON HOUSEHOLD TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
- paper bag book – multiple paper bags
Fold each bag at attach them together with glue. The bag openings make fun pockets.
Lyric Lover Crafts on paper bag books: https://youtu.be/Sm7xChnA9Xc?si=ym-Avs48MW4r-ABM (also check out her envelope books)
- envelope book – multiple envelopes
Glue the flap of an envelope into the opening of the next envelope.
- staple bound – stapler
Staple at crease.
- binder ring – hole punch and rings
Hole punch the pages and attach using binder rings.
- stitched – needle and thread
Hand-stitch using a blanket stitch or machine-stitch into cover.
49Dragonflies on sewn signatures: https://youtu.be/LROtbLYL77E?si=SxNUftUhtnbLQxJA
Martha Makes Art sewn signatures: https://youtu.be/A6Rp1nZrvOM?si=ceDf381uvv4Qinpd
- tab bound – ribbon
Uses short lengths of ribbon or fabric in alternating pattern to attach pages. I think you really need the video to follow this one.
Mad Paper Crush on tab binding: https://youtu.be/FcZy8BDPAlY?si=vF4NSRyecIbgT8LQ
- twine binding – twine or elastic
Put loops of thread, twine, or elastic cord around spine or thread through spine to leave loops inside the cover. Folded pages go around each loop, Easier to work with elastic!
Joanna Clough on twine binding: https://youtu.be/m_sRmerClv0?si=NbYXJ3pmwJV0sakE
3) REQUIRES SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
- disc bound – requires punch or die and discs
Use special punch or die to cut disc-shaped holes in pages and cover, then discs to hold pages in place.
Michelle at Mixed Media Art on disc binding https://youtu.be/rh9PuaHLmSg?si=GEbPZ8-XHpssIXe9
- purchased cover – requires cover and punch
Any planner or binder with open/close rings will work for this one.
- cinch bound – requires cinch tool
Use cinch tool to cut specially-shaped holes and place cinch wire to attach pages and cover.
We R on cinch binding: https://youtu.be/vHmHGqqb5ug?si=oAW2on0V9QQbOluE
Here’s a cute cinch-bound project by Annie Creates: https://youtu.be/oEePeuEpmkw?si=Pki-fDJTFP-W_qen
- specialty dies
Use specialty planner or journal dies according to manufacturer instructions.
Shar Cards on Anna Griffin ribbon bound journal https://youtu.be/BVb16HJut98?si=W_y-UDhzdnY8zAcq
Check the channels for Elizabeth Craft Designs, Tonic Studios, Anna Griffin, Eileen Hull, Art Impressions, or whoever made your specialty die set for more instructions, or use the YouTube search feature to enter the name of the product and find a new favorite channel!
Papercraft Crystal 