Hot Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
3-Ring Binder
½ Yard of Material (approx.)
½ Yard of Batting (approx.)
Sheet Protectors
Popcicle Stick
Decorations of choice *Optional
3 Yards of Lace/Trim (approx.) *Optional
Scrapbooking is not just a fad; many people love doing it. Scrapbooking is a wonderful way to preserve those special memories, and it is a great activity to do with friends, family, and even children love getting involved! Making a scrapbook to give as a gift, is a priceless gift given of yourself that will be valued and enjoyed for years to come, at least it was for me when I received my first one.
A Note About the Materials
Hot Glue Gun - I prefer to use a hot-melt glue gun versus a low temperature glue gun. This is mainly a personal preference; however, through experience, I have learned the hotter the glue is, the better it seems to bond two porous surfaces together. This project uses multiple glue sticks, so make sure you have plenty. Now, since you are using the hot-melt glue gun, you are not going to want the hot glue touching your skin, unless you have a particular partiality to burns; this is where the Popsicle sticks come in. Use the Popsicle sticks to press the materials together. Hot glue will penetrate through the fabric.
3-Ring Binder - You can use 1 inch, and 1 ½ inch, 2 inch, 3 inch, and even 4 inch binders. I love these binders, because you can make the scrapbook size-specific to your needs. This also enables you to use Sheet Protectors. While Sheet Protectors are originally designed to be used with presentations, school assignments, etc. they work perfectly for scrapbooking, because you can create your scrapbook page and then slip it into the Sheet Protector and everything on the page is protected...not just the photos. I do not know about my fellow scrapbookers, but for myself, I add three dimensional items to my scrapbook pages, particularly when the item is attached to a favored memory, and this also prevents those small items from getting knocked off during viewing.
Material and Batting - The material that you use should be durable, stain resistant, and non-stretchy. The material needs to be durable and stain resistant, because, after all, this is a scrapbook that is going to have multiple hands touching it and flipping through its pages. The cover that we are putting on it, is not removable, hence it cannot be taken off and washed. The material needs to be non-stretchy, because you do not want puckers when you smooth the fabric to glue it or those puckers that result from years of wear and tear due to the fabric continuing to stretch through use. You'll need approximately ½ a yard of fabric; I can typically make two to three scrapbook albums out of one yard. You will need a little less batting than fabric; you'll see why as we progress. I typically use one or two layers of batting; any thicker and the front will not lay flat when closed.
Decorations and Lace/Trim of choice - While it isn't necessary to put lace, trim, or decorations on the scrapbook, it certainly does make it look interesting and beautiful! You will need about 2 ½-3 yards of lace or edging if you choose to use it. I use the lace/edging to disguise the fabric fold and give the scrapbook a finished look. I have made a couple scrapbooks for men; instead of using lace (lace is not very masculine to use as a gift to masculine men), I used the edging instead and no decorations on top, leaving the front plain. (See photos.)
Cutting Out the Fabric and Batting
Start out by cutting the batting. Lay the batting down flat on your work surface. Place the 3 ring binder on top of the batting and open the binder, laying it flat. Fold the batting in on both sides (front and back), so that the batting covers the outside and inside. Trim the batting along the edges of the binder, keeping as close to the binder as possible. Trim any excess batting so that the batting ends just short of the rings in the binder. You can now use the batting as a pattern for the fabric. Fold the batting in half and lay it on a fold of the fabric. Please note that the fabric needs to be larger than the batting to allow for the fabric to be folded and secured. Add approximately an inch along the length of the batting on all sides.
Securing the Fabric and Batting
Lay the fabric out flat (no folds) on your work surface with the wrong side up. Center the batting flat (no folds) on top of the fabric. Center the 3 ring binder open on top of the fabric and batting. Starting on the back side of the binder, fold the fabric and batting over the back of the binder until it lays flat and ends at the rings of the binder. Run a bead of glue as close to the rings as possible on the back side. Slide the edge of the fabric under the rings, and use the Popsicle stick to press into place. Repeat on the front side, making sure the fabric is taunt but not so taunt to prevent the binder from closing. You may need to trim off a little excess fabric to get the right fit. Repeat the gluing process on the front the same way that you did the back. The fabric should come within a ¼ inch of meeting under the binder rings.
Securing the Edges
The edges are going end up on the inside of the scrapbook, and the lace or trim will be used to disguise the "seams." You are going to be securing one side at a time (either the top or bottom first). Keeping the binder open, tuck the top layer of fabric under the batting on the other side of the binder all the way across. This is going to create a folded mitered edge on the corners. Depending on the material, you may need to secure the fabric with a few drops of glue. Once you have the fabric tucked, you are going to work in ½ inch increments, making sure to keep the fabric straight. (Don't forget to use the Popsicle stick instead of your fingers to press the two fabrics together.) You are going to simply fold the front side of the material over to the inside and secure with glue. Repeat on the bottom side of the scrapbook.
Attaching the Lace or Trim
You want to start the lace or trim at the bottom of the scrapbook, centered below the binder rings. Secure it to the edge with a continuous line of glue. You may want to work in 1 to 2 inch sections, and don't forget to use the Popsicle stick to secure the lace/trim to the scrapbook. Continue gluing the lace/trim all the way around the edge, until you return to your starting point. When using lace, you can simply overlap the lace for approximately a half inch and secure with glue to the edge of the lace. When using trim, cut the trim to where the two ends of trim will meet. Use glue to secure the edges of trim to prevent raveling and connect the two ends together. The "seam" should be unnoticeable. (See Photo)
Decorating the Front
Let your imagination run wild when planning decorations for the front. I have, in past, used iron on patches, buttons, artificial flowers and leaves, and a number of other items. I love the 3-dementional effect the flowers and leaves created. Do not be afraid to experiment and use your creativity. When I design the cover, I always lay out the pattern to see how it looks before gluing it down, just a good rule of thumb. (See Photos)
You are now ready to start filling the pages or to give it as a gift to someone else. I hope you have fun making your own scrapbooks!
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