Green Living: Simple Double-Sided Origami Book Instructions

Make a simple double-sided origami book from recycled paper. The book opens from both sides and creates pages that are four times the size of the book. These type of books make excellent memory books, guest registries and signature books.

Excellent paper for the project includes salvaged wrapping paper, brown packaging paper, newspaper and old magazines. Determine the size of paper to keep by determining the desired size of book. For example, a 4-inch book requires a piece of paper 8-inches square.

Things You’ll Need:

Paper
Cereal box
Ruler
Pencil
Scissors
White glue

Instructions:

Step 1 – Determine the size of the origami double-sided book. For this example, we will make a book is 3 ½-inches square.

Step 2 – Measure, mark and cut two 3 ½-inch squares of cardboard from the cereal box.

Step 3 – Cover the cardboard with paper. Place the cardboard squares on the desired piece of paper. Trace around the outside edge. Cut along the traced lines. Glue the cut paper to both sides of each square. Set aside to dry completely.

Step 4 – Measure, mark and cut eight 6-inch squares.

Step 5 – Place one 6-inch square on a flat work surface so the edges are on a horizontal and vertical axis. Fold and match the right side with the left side of the paper. Firmly crease along the fold. Do not unfold. Fold and match the bottom edge to the top edge. Crease firmly along the fold. Set aside. Repeat the process with the remaining seven squares.

Assembling:

Step 1 – Place a folded square on a flat work surface so the folded point is in the upper left hand corner. Squeeze a line of white glue approximately ¼-inch from the edge of the square.

Step 2 – Turn the next square so the folded point is in the bottom right hand corner. Center and press the square to the square on the flat work surface. Press firmly. Squeeze a line of white glue approximately ¼-inch from the edge of the square.

Step 3 – Turn the next square so the folded point is in the upper left hand corner. Center and press the square to the square on the flat work surface. Press firmly. Squeeze a line of white glue approximately ¼-inch from the edge of the square. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for the remainder of the squares.

Step 4 – Squeeze a line of glue approximately ¼-inch from the edge of the square. Center and place the covered cardboard over the stack of glued squares. Press firmly into place. The outside edge of the cardboard will extend approximately ¼-inch from the edge of the paper. The overlap is needed to protect the pages on the inside of the book. Flip the book over and repeat Step 4 to create the opposite cover.

Step 5 – Place the recycled origami book in a safe location to air dry.

Suggestions: Tie a ribbon around the book to hold it together. Glue embellishments to the book covers and/or pages.


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