This Accordion Pocket Folder Envelope is a roomy handmade organizer with removable file folders for ephemera, embellishments, paper pieces, journaling supplies, or other creative treasures.
I created this one for the Made in Friendship Gift Exchange in The Crafty Bunch. My exchange partner was Nicole Prose of Sparkle Junkie, so of course I knew her gift needed a little sparkle!
And because Nicole has a beautiful black cat, I couldn’t resist personalizing the folders with black cats, too.
I created this Accordion Pocket Folder Envelope for the Made in Friendship Gift Exchange in The Crafty Bunch. My exchange partner was Nicole Prose of Sparkle Junkie, so of course I knew her gift needed a little sparkle!
I also wanted to make something she could actually use. The finished organizer has accordion sides with removable file folders inside, giving her a place to tuck ephemera, embellishments, paper pieces, journaling supplies, or whatever other creative treasures she wants to keep together.
And because Nicole has a beautiful black cat, I couldn’t resist personalizing the folders with black cats, too.
A Bigger Version of an Accordion Organizer
This project was inspired by a smaller accordion organizer I had made previously, but this time I wanted the pockets large enough to hold folders made from a standard 8½” x 11″ sheet of paper folded in half.
That one decision meant reworking the construction and dimensions, but I really like the larger finished size.
Instead of making the entire outer structure from one piece of cardstock, this version uses three separate pieces joined together to create the front, back, bottom, top and flap.
Main Organizer Pieces
- 2 pieces: 8¾” x 7″
- 1 piece: 8¾” x 6″
Score each 8¾” x 7″ piece at 1″ along the 7″ side.
For the 8¾” x 6″ piece, score at 1″ and 2″. The first section becomes the glue tab, while the second score creates the 1″ depth across the top.
The finished organizer has a 1″ box-style bottom and top, giving the accordion pockets room to expand.
An Easy Trick for Gluing the Pieces Straight
This was one of my favorite discoveries while working out the construction.
Instead of trying to line up two loose pieces while gluing them together, fold the glue tab around the piece it will attach to first. Line everything up while it is folded together, add your adhesive, and then fold the piece over onto the glue tab.
Because the edges are already aligned, it is much easier to get a straight connection.
It’s a simple little trick, but definitely one worth putting in your paper-crafting pocket!
Making the Accordion Gussets
For the two accordion sides, cut:
- 2 pieces: 8″ x 5½”
Score along the 8″ length at every ½”.
I like to fold all the score lines in the same direction first. Then go back and create the alternating mountain and valley folds that form the accordion.
And burnish those folds well. I burnished mine from both sides. It makes a noticeable difference in how neatly the accordion compresses.
Taming an Unruly Accordion
Because the organizer has a full 1″ depth, the center portion of the accordion gusset wanted to escape out of the sides instead of staying neatly contained.
My solution was to put a tiny dot of glue in about three of the bottom valleys and pinch those folds together.
You don’t want to glue the entire accordion closed—just those few little spots at the very bottom.
Once those are dry, the gusset behaves much better once it is installed.
Installing the Accordion Sides
Attach one outside edge of each accordion gusset along the inside edge of the organizer, on the back panel, keeping the bottom of the gusset right at the bottom score line. Face the cut edge toward the inside of your project. Attach the other gusset in the same way.
Now, compress the gusset and add adhesive to the outer fold. Then bring the front side of the organizer up, and fold over to attach. Then adhere the other side in the same way
Adding a Little Sparkle—and Strength
Since this was for my Sparkle Junkie friend, I used black glitter cardstock to decorate the front, back and flap. You can use any decorative paper for the look YOU want!
But this extra layer does more than make it pretty. It also adds another layer of reinforcement to the main structure.
For the front and back, I cut:
- 2 glitter panels: 8¼” x 5½” for front and back
- 1 glitter panel: 8¼” x ¾” for the very top edge
- 1 panel: 8¼” x 3½” for the flap
That leaves approximately a ¼” flat-black border around the glitter panels.
I also rounded the exposed corners of the front flap before adding its glitter panel.
The bottom already has overlapping layers from the construction, so I didn’t feel it needed additional reinforcement.
Removable File Folders
Each little folder starts with an ordinary 8½” x 11″ printed sheet. Score and fold it in half at 5½”, creating an 8½” x 5½” folder.
For Nicole’s version, I created coordinating papers featuring black cats on one side and different watercolor color families on the reverse.
I decided I liked the cats on the outside of the folders and the softer watercolor patterns inside. When you’re looking down into an open folder, the lighter pattern makes it much easier to see what’s stored inside.
The different colors could also make it easy to organize supplies by color family.
What About Tabs?
I considered permanently adding tabs to each folder—and then decided not to decide for Nicole!
Depending on how she uses the organizer, she may want the cat side facing out or the watercolor side facing out. She may use the pieces as actual folders or decide she’d rather use some as dividers.
So instead, I punched several black tabs and tucked them inside the organizer for her to add wherever she wants them.
And if you don’t have a tab punch, you don’t need one.
Punch two circles, glue one to each side of the top of your folder with approximately half of the circle extending above the edge, and line the circles up with each other.
Instant tab!
The Simplest Closure Won
I considered several different closures for this project, but in the end I kept it simple.
I wrapped a length of sheer blue organza ribbon with metallic threads around the entire organizer and tied it in a bow.
That’s it.
The ribbon is completely removable, so it won’t interfere when the organizer is being used. It can also accommodate the organizer getting a little fuller as things are added.
Make It Your Own
Although I personalized this organizer specifically for my gift-exchange partner, there are so many ways you could change it.
Use patterned cardstock instead of glitter. Create folders from scrapbook papers, book pages, digital printables or your own painted papers. Organize by color, theme, project, season or type of embellishment.
You could even skip the folders altogether and use the accordion sections to hold folded papers, cards or other lightweight supplies.
That’s one of my favorite things about projects like this: one idea almost always leads to another.
Watch the Accordion Pocket Folder Envelope Tutorial
I hope this gives you an idea for organizing some of your own creative treasures—or inspires a handmade gift for one of your creative friends.
Keep the Adventure Going!
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Kristie