Create a fun Freeway paper bag book featuring the clever u-hinge spine and papers from the August collection.
Freeway Paper Bag Book
Book Cover Assembly Tips
Gather four standard-sized paper lunch bags and fold in half "hamburger" style so that the bottom of the bag is at the back and the small notch is on the front.
Gather a piece of 12x12" Dark Kraft Folding Board.
Place it into a Paper Trimmer with the grain direction running top to bottom; cut at 5-1/4". (Set the 6-3/4x12" piece aside for use on another project.)
Score the 5-1/4x12 Folding Board at 5-1/2 and 6-1/2".
Trim two Gold strips measuring 1-1/4x5". Make sure the paper grain direction is running left to right so the paper will fold easily when scored.
Score the strips vertically at 1/2 and 3/4". Bury the bumps of the score lines to create the u-hinges.
Place the Folding Board onto your work surface with the bumps of the score lines facing up. Add Bookbinding Glue to the back of one of the hinges between the score lines. Adhere the first hinge next to, but not covering, the score line on the right side of the spine.
Repeat the process for the second u-hinge mechanism leaving a 1/4" gutter between the two hinges. Set the book aside.
Signature Assembly Tips
Gather the folded paper bag signatures (pages). Lift the flap that was the bottom of the bag.
Apply adhesive next to the flap.
Close the flap to adhere it to the bag.
Gather 12x12" Blue, Gray, Black and Gold papers from the Freeway collection.
Trim each paper at 10-1/4 and 5-1/8".
Cut the 5-1/8x12" at 9-1/2 and 4-3/4", creating sixteen 5-1/8x4-3/4" panels that nest perfectly onto each page of the book.
Repeat the cutting instructions for one 12x12" White, creating four inserts for the pocket pages.
Gather one panel in each color. Create a "notch" using a circle die as shown. (A circle punch could be used as well.) I used a 2" circle die*.
Insert a White panel inside each pocket.
Nest a "notched" panel onto each of the notched pocket pages. 
Adhere a panel to the left and right sides of each open signature, alternating colors.
Set aside the last four panels. (These will be added after the signatures are adhered to the u-hinges.)
Add Glue to the right side of the first u-hinge as shown.
Place the folded edge of the signature onto the glued tab and burnish to ensure proper adhesion.
Close the signature and adhere a reserved panel to the last page, covering the u-hinge tab as shown.
Continue to add signatures and panels until all four are added. 
Decorate the cover of the finished book with stamped panels. I utilized leftover images from Card 6 of my Freeway Stamped cards. (Visit this blog post for details.)
Add a Black Tag accented with a Gear Charm and ribbon for the perfect finishing touch!
The notch in each bag allows for easy removal of the White panel from the pocket.
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What do you think? Which collection will you use to create a paper bag book?
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Shop the links below to create one for yourself!
Bookbinding Glue 2 oz.
$6.55
Acid-free, quick drying, and easy to use for all of your bookbinding projects (and more). This is the one glue you MUST have in your stash! ***Please note: This product cannot freeze. We may not be able to ship this… Read More
12x12 Folding Board
$2.75
Heavier than cover weight paper, but lighter than mat board. Equivalent to 18 pt. board or 125 lb. cover weight stock. Cuts easily with our 12-inch paper trimmer. Perfect for book and box projects, such as the Notecard Carrier, Triple… Read More
Freeway 12x12 Plain Paper
$1.39
12x12" premium plain scrapbook papers, sold individually, by the sheet. … Read More
Freeway Stamps
$19.25
Our premium clear photopolymer stamps are ready to use; no prep is required. The stamp sheet measures 6x8" and includes 26 individual images and phrases. Deeply etched for high-quality impressionsClear substrate for easy positioning and accurate stampingNon-yellowing and durableApply ink;… Read More
