printable project: mini book

I live in a house of book lovers, and that doesn't mean just the kind you buy. We love making little books for all kinds of purposes, and the other day I made a combination printable and project along these lines. What I love most about this little book is that you can use it in many ways.

The idea started out with a request from a reader. She wanted a little book that she could use to write down kitchen tips and tricks from people in her family. Part recipe book, part family album...I like it!



So I set out to make a little booklet that could be typed in...and this one can! The printable pages are set up as a PDF, and the large white spaces can be filled with a little or a lot of text! Then I decided to use a type of binding called "french fold", where the pages are folded in half, with the open edges in the binding. It's always been a favorite style of mine, so here was a place to use it!

Of course, you don't have to use the printable portion...you could just bind some paper together using this method, or go for a combination! I used the printable and went with a title on the cover and blank pages for the rest for my sister to draw in.

Here's what you need:
Mini Book PDF
Felt (2 x 3 inches)
Embroidery floss
Scissors/Paper cutter

Helpful tools:
Needle
Binder clips
Crop-a-dile or 1/8 inch hole punch




If you're typing in the pages, start with that. Fill in what you need, print the pages, erase text and repeat as needed. Cut out all of the pages, and fold them in half.

Stack the folded pages and wrap the felt piece around the non-folded edge. Use binder clips to hold everything together.

Punch some holes in a zig zag pattern, or in a straight line, or even in two straight lines, depending on how you want to stitch this together. A Crop-a-dile makes punching holes immensely easier, but if you are using a regular hole punch, you'll just need to punch fewer pages at a time, making sure to line up all of the holes.



Thread your needle with embroidery floss, and tie a knot at the other end. On the back of the book, bring the thread up through the felt, between two holes. This will secure the floss better.



Lace the needle and floss through the holes several times, making a nice little pattern and keeping your book secure. There are lots of ways to do this that will create different designs...play around and see what you like! Secure the floss with a hidden knot on the back.




Now you've got a little book! And just think of all the ways you could use this!

Share a short story. Keep it handy for jotting down notes. Let your child draw pictures in it. Write some sweet things to your sweetie. Add one spelling word per page. Fill it with scripture verses you are memorizing. Journal a day in your life.

What would you use a mini book for?

Download the Mini Book PDF