CEG Class 2

Accordion Books:  

folded sheet of paper;   Variation:  accordion spine with pamphlet stitched signatures

Paper Preparation

1.      For the simple accordion, determine the type of paper you wish to use e.g.  watercolour paper, handmade paper, Japanese paper, painted or stitched paper

2.      Determine the number of sections or folds in the accordion that you require

3.      Determine dimensions of the paper, the height and the length of the paper required to produce those sections (sometimes paper will need to be pieced together to get a long enough strip for the accordion to have the grain of the paper running in the proper direction)

4.      The grain of the paper should run parallel to the folds in the paper

5.      To fold a strip into 8 even sections:

a.       fold the strip in half

b.      open the fold and bring each outer edge up to the middle crease and press the fold with the bone folder

c.       flip the paper over and bring the newly folded edges to the middle one at a time and press with the bone folder

d.      bring the last edges to the middle and press with the bone folder  (Note: if you are using a thick paper, scoring it first will make it easier to fold) This will give you your accordion.

Spine Variation

1.      The considerations for steps 1-4 are the same for this spine variation. The sections are not of equal size however.  The first and last sections of the accordion are full size sections and the middle sections are usually ¾” to 1” sections.

2.      The first and last section are attached to the covers and the remaining sections of the accordion simply act as the spine of the book and are sewn to single signatures using the pamphlet stitch.

3.      The signatures can be sewn in the mountain fold or in the valley fold. It is a matter of personal preference. 

4.      The size of the signature will differ depending upon which fold is used for the sewing.  The signature may be larger if the valley fold is used and would be smaller if the mountain fold is used.

Signature Preparation

1.      Determine the size of the paper that you plan to use.  This will depend upon the spine height of the accordion you have created and the maximum width of the accordion book you are making.  For example.  If your accordion book dimensions are a spine height of 4½” and a total width of 6” and the accordion folded spine is ¾ “ then dimensions of the folded signatures to be sewn on the mountain folds should be 4½ “ x 5 ¼”. 

2.      Since there are three mountain folds, you would need three sets of signatures with the grain running parallel to the spine

3.      You must determine how many pages are in each signature and whether you are using a three or five hole pamphlet stitch.

Sewing the Signatures

1.      Determine whether you are using a three or five hole pamphlet stitch.

2.      Prepare a stitching template for the appropriate number of sewing stations.

3.      Use a phone book or large book as a punching cradle and punch sewing stations into mountain folds.  Mark an H to indicate the Head of the book.

4.      Use the template to punch the sewing stations into the signatures.  Mark the Head on each signature.

5.      Use the appropriate pamphlet stitch to sew the signatures to the mountain folds of the accordion spine.

Cover Preparation

1.      Determine the dimensions of your cover. Take your folded accordion and measure the length and width of the end sections.  (just one will do because they should both be the same). Add no more than ½” to the width and 3/8 ” to the spine length to determine the cover measurements.  This will give you enough substrate to make a cover for the accordion book.  You will need to cut two of these.  One for the front cover and one for the back.

2.      The cover of an accordion book is slightly different from covers of more traditional books.  Because an accordion book is a more decorative, artistic form, it is often displayed in an open style. For this reason, an accordion book must be able to balance when open. The cover, therefore, has less of a square or overhang on the bottom edge. Usually this is kept to about 1/8”, just enough to make sure that the paper does not show.  The square on the top and sides can be larger, up to ¼”.

3.      Decide how you will edge your cover.  i.e.  wrapped edges or decorative stitching on the edges.  This will determine the dimensions of your fabric.  Refer back the General Rules of Thumb in the overview section to determine the measurements of your fabric.

4.      Decorate your cover as you wish.  An accordion book expands so there is no fixed spine. This makes a difference when choosing a book closure.  The closure must complete circle the book to keep it closed but must also be able to be removed or allow the book to expand for display purposes.  Keep this in mind if you plan to fix your closure to your cover.

Wrapping the Cover in Fabric

1.      Refer back to the General Rules of Thumb to review the technique for wrapping the cover in fabric, if necessary.

Attaching the Cover

1.      Use a light coat of PVA or fabric glue to attach accordion to cover.  Spread glue lightly with a brush or credit card.  A strong glue stick could be used.

2.      Put wastepaper / wax paper between the cover and text block and place under weight to dry.