A Folded Multi-Page Book

A reader sent me a link to a video she made of the "Guest Book," a structure designed by Paul Johnson, which in turn gave me another idea. Here is a hybrid version: the Guest Book merged with the X Book. You get seven page spreads without any glue, thread, tape, or staples (please, no tape or staples, ever!) to hold it together. For content you only have to print on one side.

Fold a piece of paper into 16 sections: fold in half, lengthwise; fold both edges back to the center fold, accordion style; smooth out the paper, turn over; fold in half widthwise; fold the edges back to the center fold. Open flat.

For a portrait style book, turn the paper vertically for the cuts. For a landscape style book, turn the paper horizontally.

Cut a capital i along the folds: through, above, and below the center panels. Make two horizontal cuts at the edges, centered, one panel wide. (These are like the cuts for the Guest Book, page 51, MHB.)

Open the center flaps out like window shutters.

Fold up and in half, flaps inside and touching themselves on the same side.

Fold edge back, accordion style.









Turn over. Fold remaining edge back, accordion style.














Stand up the book.

 Push book together at the center (like the X book, page 32).











Wrap one page around for the cover.

There, I suppose, you have a GuestX book.


To see the layout of the page numbers more easily, click on a picture.