How to make an accordion fold book

Step 1: Cut two pieces of mat board into identical pieces. They should match up when stacked one on top of the other.

Step 2: Set the mat board on a sheet of colored paper that is large enough for a 1 1/2 inch border around the entire perimeter.

Draw tabs around the sides of each mat board piece that are 1 1/2 inch deep and are trapezoidal.

Cut the pattern out. It should look like this.............

Step 5: Cut a second paper pattern for the back of your book.

Step 6: Center the mat board inside the paper. Glue only the tabs to the cover by folding carefully around each side. Use a glue stick for best results.

Your 2 covers, front and back, should look like this:

Step 8: Measure out the height of your book on a long sheet of paper. The height of your page should be slightly smaller than the book height.

Cut a long strip of paper that will become your pages.

Step 9: Fold your length of paper into an accordion stack that fits inside the book covers.

Step 10: Glue the first accordion fold to the inside cover of your book, flush with the outside of the book. This is best done with a glue stick.

Glue the back side of your book to keep the accordion from being flimsy.

Step 11: Glue the last accordion fold to the outside cover of your book. Voila!