Box Projects: Cereal Book
Posted by ReadyMade
Project by John Kearns; illustration by Jenny Brown
Dear Diary: There are empty cereal boxes all over the kitchen, and I haven’t been able to curb my magazine habit. It ain’t pretty. So I’m mending my ways and doing something productive with all this crap—making a new journal. Sorry to break it to you like this.
Skill Level
Hard
Active Time
More than a weekend
Cost
$
- Magazine, wrapping paper, or other artwork
- 21 sheets of writing paper
- Cereal box
- Glue
- Binder’s thread or dental floss
Materials
- Bone folder or butter knife
- Ruler
- Large sewing needle
- Utility knife
Tools
Cut the cereal box down the middle of each side panel. Lay one of the pieces flat and cut in half horizontally (Fig. A).
Grab one of the halves and cut off the bottom or top flap. Now fold it over lengthwise, leaving 1/4" between the edges. Score the fold with a bone folder or the dull side of a butter knife. Repeat in the other direction, scoring and folding. This creates the 1/2" spine.
Decorate the cover inside and out with pictures from magazines or your own artwork. Glue in place and let dry. Trim excess from the edges.
Fold along the box’s creases and glue flaps to the inside cover to create a clean edge.
Cut a 1/4" slit lengthwise through the center of the spine. Cut additional slits 11/2" above and below the first.
Now for the guts of the journal: the writing paper. Make three stacks of seven sheets, then fold each stack in half lengthwise.
Use a needle or awl to make a hole at the center of the spine of each booklet. Measure 11/2" on either side and make additional holes. Repeat for all three booklets.
Place the first booklet inside (Fig. B). Using binder’s thread and a needle, thread in through the booklet’s middle hole and out through the spine. Next, thread in through the cover’s top hole and out through the booklet. Now thread in through the bottom hole and out through the spine. Finally, thread back in through the middle hole. Follow this pattern for the other two booklets.
When the binding is secure, tie a knot at the inside center hole. Trim any overhang.
