How to Make an Accordion Book
As stories have been told, the accordion book originates from Asia. It has long been considered as an ancient craft in many Asian countries and it was invented to accommodate scrolls that had become unmanageable due to their length and size.
Basically, the accordion book is composed of a continuous folded sheet of paper that is often enclosed between two covers. Just the accordion instrument, it can be either expanded outward or compressed or kept flat.
In terms of the paper, it is interesting to know that the paper employed for the inside sheets of the accordion book can be of the weight of drawing paper, heavy wrapping paper or colored construction paper. However, it can also be heavier like that of the tagboard or thin Bristol board. This paper, when used as a scrapbook, has the capability to handle as much mounted material as desired without bulging at the open edge.
The inside paper, on the other hand, which is folded into sheets may be similar as to that card stock cover or lightly smaller than that. As many of the experts say, if the accordion book is to stand, stiff paper the same size of the cover works effectively.
Having such qualities, the accordion book is considered best for exhibits and displays. The main reason behind this claim is the fact that you can stand them up and both sides can be viewed. Just note that the finished size of the accordion book greatly varies depending on the size of the paper that you use.
Materials Needed for Making an Accordion Book
If you are thinking for forming an accordion book, then you need get hold of these materials:
* Strips of paper cut to size
* Cardstock for covers
* Bone folder or wooden craft stick
* Glue stick
The Preparation
All you need to do with the preparation is to cut the paper and the cardstock.
The Procedure
The first thing to do is to fold the paper in half and crease the edge. In doing this, you can employ a bone folder, tongue depressor or ruler. Then, fold one end to meet the center fold, still creasing the edge of the paper. If done, reverse the direction of such fold, and fold the new fold up to meet the center fold. Now, fold the end to the center fold and repeat with the other end fold. If done, you will notice that you have formed an 8-page accordion book. But, if you want 16 pages, all you need to do is to keep folding in the same way, but always remember to bring the fold back to the center. Finally, glue the cardstock covers to the first and the last page of the text block. Here you can also use a bone folder, tongue depressor or a ruler for boning down the edges of the glued cover to the text block.
As easy as that!
Accordion Playing Memories
Many children take music lessons. There are numerous academic studies touring the benefits of this. There are just as many kids complaining about “being forced to practice” every day as there are studies saying it is good for them.
When I was a child, I took accordion lessons for three years, both starting and stopping of my own accord with my parent’s support either way. Years later, in high school, we bought a keyboard so I was able to transfer my skills to that at least for the right hand keys, but those left-hand chords were a bit different between the instruments.
There was only one time, many years later, that I wish I had stayed with the accordion. The thought came from, of all places, a favorite sitcom. Before a guest character made his appearance for the episode, another character remarked that everybody would tease the person because of his accordion playing when they were kids. When the guest character appeared, the other characters remarked about his huge biceps, which he attributed to playing the accordion. Someone should have told me sooner!
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