Beginner's Guide to the Art of Bookfolding

Book-folding is a project that can be completed without a major investment of time or money. If you are a crafter, chances are you have all or most of the materials you need right now in your own home. This folded book can become a doorstop, a bill sorter, a holiday or birthday card holder, a wall or tabletop sculpture - limited only by your imagination. The folding can be easily done while watching television or traveling, if you are not the driver or prone to motion sickness.

List of materials:

A discard book. A hardback book that is about 9" tall and 5 1/2" wide with approximately 150 pages is ideal.
A wooden or Styrofoam ball approximately 2 1/2" in diameter for the head (a purchased doll head of the appropriate size will also do).
Decorative items such as specialty papers, beads, paint, punches, small flowers...
Hot glue gun
Small doily or lace for collar.

Time required: 2 hours
Skill level: 2 on a scale of 5

Step 1: Take the total number of pages in the book and divide that by 8. (EX: 150 : 8 = 17.75.) Round this figure to the nearest whole number (18 in this case). This figure represents how many pages in the front and the back will be folded opposite of the 'body' of the book.

Step 2: Open the book as if you are going to read it. Fold the first page (usually a leaf page) from the bottom right corner as far up the page as it will go, keeping the bottom of the page parallel to the spine of the book. Repeat for the next 17 pages. This forms the right shoulder (or wing) of the figure. (See Photo 1)

Step 3: Replicate this folding process for the last 18 pages of the book, folding the pages toward the back cover instead of the front cover.

Step 4: Now you are ready for the 'body' of the book. For the first half of the remainder of the book, fold each page from the top edge toward the front of the book, making sure the top of the page is parallel with the spine of the book. This forms the 'dress' of the figure. Fold the second half of the remainder of the book from the top toward the back of the book in the same manner. (See Photo 2)

At this point, you will notice that the book will stand alone in a half circle. (See Photo 3)

Step 5: Place a small doily over the bodice of the dress or gather lace to form a collar. Decorate with ribbon and a bow, if desired. (See Photo 4)

Step 6: The head can be decorated, if you care to, with eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Hair can be added. Please note that no decoration is necessary. A plain round head is very elegant and leaves more to the imagination. If your figure is to be an angel, a halo might be appropriate. Glue the head to to the top of the book where the spine forms a handy little semicircle. Your hot glue gun is a good tool to use for this. Just add plenty of hot glue and hold the head in place until it dries. (See Photo 4)

Step 7: Decorate the shoulders or wings with specialty paper or stamps. A corner punch is handy for helping to hold the paper in place and makes a nice decorative touch. Add any remaining decorations to the bodice or skirt of the figure.

Your folded book sculpture is now finished!

Additional ideas:
(1) An old math book makes a good bill sorter.
(2) A book with pink or blue decorations (and perhaps a pacifier around the neck on a ribbon) to hold baby gift cards or first birthday cards.
(3) A hardback colorful catalog resembles a calico dress once folded. It contrasts nicely with a white doily.
(4) An mushy book of poems (ala Helen Steiner Rice?) might be appropriate for a Mother's Day card and photo holder.
(5) Two folded books back to back make a charming centerpiece for a table. Simply decorate to match the theme of the occasion.
(6) A folded book figure on a vanity is a novel place (okay, forgive the pun) to put your favorite necklaces, bracelets and hair clips.

I sincerely hope you have as much fun with this book-folding project as I have. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions, and I would really enjoy photos of your finished book sculpture.