I have a two in one step by step for you today.  Ever found yourself with a couple of scrapbook pages and wondering how to keep them all together? Ever stressed about whether to staple or stitch a project? Well, pamphlet stitch is a quick and simple way of putting minibooks together and in this tutorial you will see how to do it using ribbon.

You will need to have a couple of things in hand:

• A printer and heavy weight paper. Preferably something that can be printed on both sides like double sided matte paper.
• Eyelet setter and hammer. Alternatively you can use a hole punch with a long reach or the Big Bite (crop a dile)
• You will also need Ribbon, adhesive (double sided tape), scoring tool, and your favourite photos.
• Lastly, since this is a hybrid project, you will need digital papers to print out.

Step by Step

Step 1. Print six (6) 3x2 photos. These can be printed on 6x4 paper, two at a time. If you are taking the time to digitally transform the two 3x2 photos to fit into the one 6x4 format, maybe you can also take the opportunity to add some brushes/ embellishments and text directly into the photos.

Step 2. Print an A4 sheet of double sided matte paper with your favorite digital papers on both sides. I have added a scallop to the design, you can have a collage of papers, there are many possibilities, I am just keeping it simple to show you how it is done.

Step 3. Cut your printed A4 Sheet in two 5x8 pieces and fold them in half (flatten them with a scoring tool). Layer the two sheets like a book.

Step 4. Cut your photos and stick them in the centre of each page.

Step 5. Add a front and back cover to your book. You can create them digitally or using the pattern paper you have printed. I have also used a piece of an acetate like material to protect my book.

Step 6. Cut a long length of ribbon (around 20 inches) to do a pamphlet stitch to bind your book together.

mmm but how do I do a pamphlet stitch?

The Pamphlet stitch

Step 1. Using a hole punch or Big Bite, make 3 holes in the centre of your book like in the image.

Step 2. Insert ribbon in the middle hole starting from outside of the book, ribbon end is now inside the book.

Step 3. Insert ribbon on the third hole for it to go back outside.

Step 4. Insert ribbon on the first hole (inserting ribbon in the inside of the book).

Step 5. Insert ribbon on the middle hole (for it to go back outside).

Step 6. Now you should have the two ends outside, making sure you have one end in each side of the ribbon going through the middle of the book, make a knot.

Step 7. You can cut the excess ribbon or finish it off with a bow.

I know it LOOKS complicated, but it really is straight forward. 

Enjoy your brag book :) Here are a couple more shots of my finished project:

Digital Supplies: A little bird told me - Designs by Lili. Font is LMS Dear mom - Lisa Sisneros.

Hope you enjoyed this one :) See you next time!