Blueprints Home Folio Part 2--Tutorial

I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent feedback I received on my Blueprints Home Folio post last week. I used it over the weekend when we were shopping for supplies for the remodel. The handy 6x8" size fit perfectly into my purse, making it easy to tote around.

A few people asked how it was made, so I thought I'd share. It's a pretty quick and easy project, and it could be used for a number of different purposes. It all starts with  12x12" cardstock.

Folio Cover:

1. Score vertically at 6".
2. Rotate 90 degrees and score at 4".



Scoring and cutting diagram.

3. Use scissors to trim approximately 1/8" on the left and right sides of the vertical fold, stopping at the 4" horizontal score line. Remove strip. (This will eliminate extra "bulk" when the folio closes.)

   

   Trim excess from center pocket area.

4. Fold along the 4" score line. Use a punch or Corner Chomper to round the edges of the inside pockets if desired.

   

   Round corners (optional).

5. Add a 8" length of washi tape vertically along the left and right edges of the folio. This seals the edges of the inside pockets. 

Add washi tape to outer edges.

Inside Elements:

1. Trim cardstock to 5.75 x 7.75" to create inside pages. (My folio has one, but you could add up to three.) Fold each inside page in half horizontally. 
   
2. Did you know you can print your own from http://www.printfreegraphpaper.com/? I like the 1/5" Cartesian. Print the desired number of pages onto text weight paper and trim to 5.5 x 7.5". Fold in half horizontally.
3. Nest all pages together into the folio, leaving equal borders around the edges of each layer. 
4. Add an A6 envelope to the center of the nested pages; aligning the flap fold with the center fold of the inside pages. Pierce stitching holes through all layers, 2" from the top and 2" from the bottom edge of the folio cover.
   
5. Use waxed linen thread and needle to pamphlet stitch the folio together. (Place threaded needle into the top hole, from the inside to the outside. Then place the needle into the bottom hole from the outside to the inside. Tie ends together. Trim excess thread.)

   

   Pamphlet stitch.

   

   Tie thread ends together and trim.

6. Decorate cover and inside pockets and pages as desired.

I think these little folios have lots of potential . . . how will you use yours?

Creatively yours,

Karen