Inside the Roben's Nest: A Peek at The Flip Book
It’s part little book, part layered paper stack, part creative playground.
And best of all? It’s built from the kinds of things most of us already have: paper scraps, fabric bits, painted leftovers, and those perfectly sturdy pieces of packaging we can never seem to throw away (for good reason, as it turns out). 😉
What it is
The Flip Book is a simple handmade structure that holds a stack of varied “pages” — not traditional bound pages, but a collection of layered sections that flip and move.
Some pages are paper.
Some are fabric.
Some are stitched bundles.
Some might include a pocket, a flap, or a little detail that makes you want to keep turning.
It’s interactive in the best way.
What makes it work (and feel so fun)
One of the key techniques in this project is adding fabric hinges — little stitched tabs that connect each section so the pages actually flip easily.
Without the hinges, everything gets stiff and bulky fast.
With them, the whole piece becomes flexible, playful, and surprisingly satisfying to handle.
It’s one of those “tiny detail, big payoff” techniques… and once you see it, you’ll start thinking of a dozen ways to use it in other projects too.
A project built for “use it now, finish later”
This is not a project you have to complete perfectly in one sitting. You can create your cover and page stacks first… and then keep adding:
little notes
collage layers
scraps you love too much to toss
It becomes a holding place for ideas and a small home for all the bits that usually float around your desk.
Inside the lesson
In the videos, I walk you through:
creating the simple flip book holder (using a recycled box or any sturdy cardstock)
covering it with painted paper (I used bold black-and-white painted papers)
gathering and building page stacks from your stash
adding fabric hinge tabs so the pages flip smoothly
assembling the whole thing so it closes nicely
and finishing details like a closure (I tested a few ideas and landed on magnetic snaps)
There was “real life” parts in this project that I loved to share (like when I realized I built something backwards and had to fix it). Because that’s how this kind of work goes… and honestly, it’s part of the fun.
Supplies (use what you have)
You can absolutely make this project with what’s already in your studio. I’m using:
assorted paper scraps (painted papers, book pages, cardstock, ephemera)
fabric bits (sheer, solids, quilt scraps, anything with texture)
a glue stick
stitching (hand stitching or sewing machine… Either works!)
Optional extras:
magnet snaps for closure
stamping for final details
This is one of those projects that starts simple… and then becomes its own little world.
What is The Roben’s Nest?
If you’re new here, The Roben’s Nest is my online creative community where we explore monthly projects like this one, plus swaps, challenges, and loads of inspiration. Every month brings a new, bite-sized project designed to spark your creativity and keep your hands busy.
We’re a mix of beginners and long-time makers, and we love sharing our process and cheering each other on. I’d love for you to join us.
Flip Books Created By The Roben’s Nest Members
Our Nesters shared their mixed media flip books, filled with layers of yummy pages, fabric bits, and charming word details.
Their creativity and uniqueness in every book show the endless possibilities available with this project.
