Tied Together with a Little Ribbon

This month we're making a book that can change its mind. Untie the ribbons, add a page, move a memory, and tie everything together again. It's a lovely home for a collection that hasn't finished growing.

Finished cover size: 6 × 6.

Inside: eight loose leaves, each 5¾ × 5¾.

Allow: about 45–60 minutes.

Gather and Cut

• Two sturdy cardstock covers, each 6 × 6.
• Eight paper or light-cardstock leaves, each 5¾ × 5¾.
• Two lengths of narrow ribbon, each 16 inches.
• A ¼-inch hole punch, ruler, pencil, clips, and optional hole reinforcements.

Let's Make It

1. Mark two holes on the front cover, each ½ inch from the left edge. Place the upper hole 1 inch from the top and the lower hole 5 inches from the top.
2. Punch the cover. Place it over the back cover with all edges aligned and transfer the holes.
3. Place the leaves between the covers. Align all their left edges with the covers' left edges, and center the leaves vertically. This leaves ⅛ inch of cover above and below and ¼ inch at the right.
4. Use the front cover to mark the hole positions on each leaf. On a leaf, the holes will be ½ inch from the left, and ⅞ inch and 4⅞ inches from the top. Punch carefully.
5. Reinforce holes in thin papers before decorating.
6. Reassemble the stack. For the upper binding, pass one ribbon through the upper hole from front to back. Bring its back end around the outside left edge to the front. Tie the two ends into a bow. Repeat separately at the lower hole.
7. Leave each ribbon loop loose enough that a page can move around it. Start with about ¼ inch of extra loop space beyond the closed stack and adjust by turning the pages.

Make It Yours

Keep writing and important images at least 1 inch away from the left edge. That space is the turning margin. Use the pages for photographs with notes on the reverse, or alternate plain leaves with printed ones.

A Little Worktable Help

Ribbon bindings do not turn like stitched books. Turn the pages gently, and loosen the bows if the holes pull. Narrow, smooth ribbon moves more easily than thick lace.

Before You Call It Finished

Turn every page and check that the bows stay tied. You should be able to open the book without folding the leaves sharply against the binding.

Your First Little Story

Make a page for someone who has given you a good memory. Leave room to add another later.