Accordion Envelope Book Tutorial

I taught my MOPS group how to make these a couple years ago & thought I'd give a tutorial. I learned how to make them from Paper Source. The first one I made kept things inside like receipts, to-do lists/grocery lists, coupons, & stamps. I made this red & brown one as a portable shipping book--to keep my packaging goodies handy when orders go out: stamps, labels, biz cards, stickers & notes.



Here are the supplies you'll need...

-envelopes (you can make your book however big or small you want. The one I'll be showing today uses 5 envelopes.)
-scissors
-glue stick
-razor
-ribbon
-scrap papers
-pencil

The first thing you'll want to do is put glue on the flap of 4 out of the 5 envelopes...
...& glue them to the front side of each other. The flap of the first envelope will not be glued. It will become the front cover of your book.

Here's a different view.

After they're all glued you'll fold them, accordion style, back-n-forth to form a book.

I decorated the front flap with some scrapbook paper. Trace around the flap onto the paper...

...& cut it out.



Use some decorative scissors to cut the straight edge & make it a bit more interesting.


Open your book all the way & measure the very last envelope to find the center point on both sides.
Cut a small slice through the envelope, on each side, just large enough for your ribbon to slide through.

You'll have to reach inside your envelope to slice the side where the bottom of the last envelope lays. It's easier this way.

Now slide your ribbon through both slots. When your book is closed, your ribbon will tie everything closed nicely.

Now decorate little tags or labels for each envelope. You can use your computer printer, stamps, your own handwriting, etc.

Here's a close-up view of each envelope in this book:

This one uses large 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" envelopes & it was made with only 3 envelopes. It's a kit to help you stay organized for a party. The first envelope holds the invitations/thank you notes, the second envelope holds address labels, & the 3rd holds pre-printed templates to keep track of RSVP's & your "Party To-Do Lists".

You can use whatever size or color of envelopes you want. This one was made using small 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" envelopes. It was created to keep track of memories. (Stay tuned on October 1st for Kara's Virtual Baby Shower & I'll show you what's inside!)

These are super quick & easy to make & you can accommodate them to fit any theme you'd like! They make fun little gifts!