Easy Booklet Binding craft

This is a nice way to bind any small set of papers that you want to keep, with or without a cover. You could use this idea for a school report or to make a blank book.

The papers you want to bind*
Cardstock or other paper for a front and back cover**
Matching or contrasting strip of paper for the binding
    (as long as the bound edge of your booklet will be and
    about 1 1/2 inches wide
Stapler
Scissors
Glue

* There shouldn't be any more than you'll be able to staple together at once. (For a blank book you could recycle paper that is printed only on one side by folding it in half so that the printing is on the inside. Then arrange the papers with the folded edges on the right and the top and bottom edges on the left so they can be bound in the binding.)

** It's easiest to put on your title or cover drawing before assembling the booklet.

Stack the papers and the covers in the order you want them to be. Lay the paper binding strip right side down on top of the front of the papers, with the edge lined up with the edge of the papers. (This is like putting on bias tape.)

Holding the papers carefully, staple 3 or 4 times along the edge of the papers about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch from the edge.

Fold the loose edge of the binding strip back toward the stapled edge along the row of staples. (The right side of the binding strip is now showing and the staples are covered.) Continue folding the binding strip around to the back of the booklet and crease where necessary. If the strip extends beyond the top and bottom of the booklet, cut off the excess.

Turn the booklet over and fold under the free edge of the strip so that it covers the same amount of the cover on the back as on the front. Glue the strip to the back cover or last page.