Hey everyone! Kinsey here with a fun tutorial on creating your own binders from scratch...ok, so technically, I did use a pre-fab binder ring mechanism but the rest was built "from the ground up".
Before we dive in, here are some materials that'll come in handy for this project:
- A few pieces of cardboard or heavy weight chipboard {I cut up a few boxes we had lying around}
- Adhesive {I ended up using my atg gun and my glue gun}
- Clear packing tape
- Woodgrain contact paper {patterned paper would work as well, but it does require a bit more adhesive}
- Binding mechanism {a friend of mine gave mea bag full of them that she wasn't going to use, but I'm sure you can find them at craft and hobby stores}
- Chipboard sheets {for the dividers}
- Your favorite Crate Paper items {I used an assortment of papers from all the latest releases, buttons, brads, journaling cards and trim}
To start off, you’ll want to measure your binding mechanism. The size of the binder pieces will relate to these initial measurements (I’ll be referencing my binder measurements throughout). The rings on my binder are approximately 1 inch and binder itself is about 9 inches long so I decided to make my filler pages 8 x 5.5 inches. It’s important to pre-determine your page size prior to cutting the covers for the binder…otherwise, you could end up with pages and dividers that stick out beyond the outer edge of the binder…and yes, I did that on the first go-round, lol.
On my more successful attempt, I cut my cardboard pieces so that I had (2) cover pieces that measured 7.5 x 9.5 inches and then (1) binding piece that measured 1.5 x 9.5 inches. Lay the cardboard pieces out on a flat surface so that the top and bottom edges align (the order will be: front cover, binding piece, back cover) and be sure to leave about ¼ inch between them so that the covers open and close smoothly. Use clear packing tape to connect each piece of the binder cover together.
Cut a piece of contact paper larger than your constructed binder cover (I cut mine so that I had about 5 inches of overage all the way around). Remove the backing and with the sticky side face up on your table, place the cardboard cover in the center (you’ll want to flip it over and use a brayer or flat edge to smooth any bubbles out).
Continue covering the binder by cutting the contact paper in the locations marked above (I made a cutline diagram to show where I cut pieces of the contact paper to make cleaner folds- I’m nerdy like that, hee!) The dashed lines mark the areas that will be cut away and discarded, so you should have 4 corners cut off and 4 skinny triangles near the binding.
Now just fold the flaps in and stick'em down (I used some more packing tape for this part to make double-sure that they were going to stay put).
Now for the fun parts! Cover the inside of your binder however you like- I used 2 papers for mine and I also scallop punched the floral paper for a fun little detail.
Install the binder piece…this process may be a little different depending on what type of binder you have. Mine didn’t come with all of the attaching pieces so I had to pull a MacGyver here- I busted out the trusty glue gun and went to town! It worked really well and just to be extra safe, I used a bit of pink and white baker’s twine threaded through the screw-holes (that didn’t come with screws, ha!) and I feel pretty good about its sturdiness now!
The dividers are pretty straightforward - just cut some chipboard sheets to size, cover them with patterned paper and finally, use some frilly trim for the tabs.
Add some buttons to the front cover and voila! A super fun, super custom, binder for planning, calendars, recipes, gifts, journals…you name it! Thanks so much for stopping by today and hanging out with me for a bit! I’ll see you soon!
love it Kinsey! The buttons on the woodgrain front are FAB!!
Posted by: Lexi Bridges | June 21, 2011 at 06:19 AM
Very informative and super cute too. I'm storing this away for future use. Thanks
Posted by: marianne-g | June 21, 2011 at 06:53 AM
That is AWESOME!!!
I really need to make me one... would be so much fun teaching having a binder like that :)
Posted by: Katarina | June 21, 2011 at 08:43 AM
I love it! Thanks for sharing! :)
Posted by: Michelle | June 21, 2011 at 08:47 AM
Kinsey I love that this binder is not only beautiful but upcycles a number of items that would be thrown in the garbage.
Posted by: Kelly Sas | June 21, 2011 at 08:47 AM
good and beautiful idea !
Posted by: marie-nicolas | June 21, 2011 at 09:23 AM
Love this!! THANKS for sharing!! I can't wait to try it!! =) Have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)
Posted by: Larissa Heskett | June 21, 2011 at 09:25 AM
This is awesome!! You are so stinkin' creative!! The contact paper is ingenious!! I can't wait to try this :) Thanks sooo much for your detailed instructions. . .LOVE IT!! :)
Posted by: Lisa Westphal | June 21, 2011 at 09:38 AM
I agree, this is incredible. I am going to try this project ASAP!
Posted by: Emily | June 21, 2011 at 09:42 AM
Oh how FUN! My daughter will LOVE doing this tut w/me! :)
Posted by: Sarah Martina | June 21, 2011 at 09:45 AM
Seriously fabulous book! LOVE the woodgrain cover with the spray of buttons! Thanks for sharing the cool book and the excellent tutorial! I know what I'm doing this weekend...
Posted by: MichelleGB | June 21, 2011 at 10:23 AM
What a fantastic project! I see many projects using this tutorial in the future! Thanks!
Posted by: Lacey I | June 21, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Lovely project, and I'm saving the idea of using trims for tabs. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Laney | June 21, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Fabulous! :)
Posted by: Kathy Martin | June 21, 2011 at 03:40 PM
Another great tutorial and project. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: heidig | June 21, 2011 at 03:55 PM
hey Kin's--it's so great to be looking at your creative genius again.
Love the book.
I would like to get a paper trimmer like yours--can't remember what it's called. Spoke with Sally yesterday, we both miss you.let's catch up, I actually text now.
luv, Laree
Posted by: Laree Toft | June 21, 2011 at 04:42 PM
This is absolutely adorable!!! I can't wait to try it!
Posted by: Pamela B | June 21, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Wowwwwwwwwwwww! This is AMAZING!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):)
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | June 21, 2011 at 07:45 PM
Love this...Thanks for sharing. Woodgrain contact paper added to my shopping list.
Posted by: Carolyn | June 22, 2011 at 06:30 AM
This is awesome Kins! I literally went to Michaels yesterday on my lunch hour... on the prowl!!! I want to try this - I have this idea in my head of what to use it for and it's itching at me! Sadly, I couldn't find the binders :(. Waaaaahhhhaaahhh... Next I tried office Depot, but couldn't find it there either. I'm not giving up. This project is too wicked awesome NOT to try! Thanks for the amazing tutorial!
Posted by: Heather I. | June 22, 2011 at 07:36 AM