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A Simple Paper Sack Book
Lisa Lorigan
Paper sack books (PSB) are a fun way to express your creativity. They make wonderful handmade gifts that your friends and family will love. And best of all, they are made from supplies that you probably already have at home.
Note: Since we will use ordinary paper sacks, this project will NOT be acid-free. This means that the photos and objects that you put in your book could deteriorate over long periods of time. Therefore, if you would like to use a valuable or one-of-a-kind photo in your book, it would be wise to make a copy of it to use instead of the original.
In this tutorial, we will make a simple book from two paper lunch sacks. But please don’t limit yourself by staying with this formula. You may actually use any size paper sack or envelope that you wish to make your book, from a small coin envelope to a large shopping bag. And you can put together as many sacks as you wish to make the book as large or small as you would like.
Materials needed:
2 paper sacks, lunch-sized (brown or white)
Cardstock and/or designer papers of your choice
Stamps, ink pads and pens
Ribbons in colors to coordinate with papers (a great way to use scraps!)
Embellishments (such as stickers, brads, eyelets, flowers, etc.)
Sewing Machine (optional)
Instructions:
1.
Lay out 2 paper sacks of your choice.
Lay out 2 paper sacks of your choice. Notice that I laid them in opposite directions.
This is the orientation that I have chosen to place them in the book.
2.Now, place one sack on top of the other, and fold them together. (I’m doing one simple fold down the center for this tutorial. There really is no limit to how many different ways you can do your fold.)
Now, place one sack on top of the other, and fold them together. (I’m doing one simple fold down the center for this tutorial. There really is no limit to how many different ways you can do your fold.)3.The next step is to bind your book. My favorite way is to simply sew a seam down the folded edge, and I usually use a zigzag stitch. Another option is to punch holes in the folded side. You can then thread ribbons through and tie off, attach brads or eyelets, or hand-sew the binding with yarn or embroidery floss. You may also staple your binding shut.
The next step is to bind your book. My favorite way is to simply sew a seam down the folded edge, and I usually use a zigzag stitch. Another option is to punch holes in the folded side. You can then thread ribbons through and tie off, attach brads or eyelets, or hand-sew the binding with yarn or embroidery floss. You may also staple your binding shut.4.Now your book is assembled and ready to decorate. If it seems a little flimsy, don’t worry. It will be much more sturdy once you add cardstock and paper. You may notice that there are lots of little “pockets” in your book created by the openings in the sacks. You can either close them up and pretend that they aren’t there, or you can use them to store tags or photos.
Now your book is assembled and ready to decorate. If it seems a little flimsy, don’t worry. It will be much more sturdy once you add cardstock and paper. You may notice that there are lots of little “pockets” in your book created by the openings in the sacks. You can either close them up and pretend that they aren’t there, or you can use them to store tags or photos.5.You can start your decorating by covering the front and back cover of your book with paper or cardstock. You may wish to cover the stitching as I have done, or leave it exposed for a fun look.
You can start your decorating by covering the front and back cover of your book with paper or cardstock. You may wish to cover the stitching as I have done, or leave it exposed for a fun look.6.Now you can decorate the front by adding stamped images, stickers, and any embellishments that you wish. I am making my PSB with a Christmas theme, so I am using holiday papers, stamps and embellishments.
Now you can decorate the front by adding stamped images, stickers, and any embellishments that you wish. I am making my PSB with a Christmas theme, so I am using holiday papers, stamps and embellishments.7.Open your book and notice that you will see the bottom fold of one of the lunch sacks.
Open your book and notice that you will see the bottom fold of one of the lunch sacks.You can either glue it down and cover it with paper so it doesn’t show, or you can make it into a little pocket. To make a pocket, place staples or brads on each corner to close off the top and bottom. You now can make a little tag to go into the pocket.
8.Tags are a really fun part of paper sack books. If you are making the book for someone, they will be thrilled to pull out and look at each tag. It usually works best to attach a ribbon to some part of the tag to act as a pull to get it out of the pocket. (If you are a ribbon nut, this is your time to shine! If you use several ribbons on each tag, your PSB will have pretty ribbons sticking out all over!)
Tags are a really fun part of paper sack books. If you are making the book for someone, they will be thrilled to pull out and look at each tag. It usually works best to attach a ribbon to some part of the tag to act as a pull to get it out of the pocket. (If you are a ribbon nut, this is your time to shine! If you use several ribbons on each tag, your PSB will have pretty ribbons sticking out all over!)9.Continue decorating all of the pages and make tags for all of your pockets. (Don’t forget the back cover!) If you wish to make a memory book, be sure to leave spaces for photos and journaling. (Something that I usually do: I put a sticky note that says “photo” or “journaling” in the appropriate spots so the recipient will know why I left empty spaces and can fill them in themselves.)
Continue decorating all of the pages and make tags for all of your pockets. (Don’t forget the back cover!) If you wish to make a memory book, be sure to leave spaces for photos and journaling. (Something that I usually do: I put a sticky note that says “photo” or “journaling” in the appropriate spots so the recipient will know why I left empty spaces and can fill them in themselves.)10.That’s it! You just made your first PSB. Wasn’t that fun? And addictive? Yes, I agree. Next time, try a different kind of sack or maybe some mailing envelopes. Have fun!
That’s it! You just made your first PSB. Wasn’t that fun? And addictive? Yes, I agree. Next time, try a different kind of sack or maybe some mailing envelopes. Have fun!Here are photos of the finished paper sack book, along with the tags that go with it.
A Simple Paper Sack Book
Lisa Lorigan
