Folded Paper Strap - Belly Band - Journal Closure: Hedi Kyle Belt Fold

Hedi Kyle is a book artist who has created some iconic folded book styles. Today I am going to show how to make a folded paper belt using a Hedi Kyle fold technique. It can then be used as a closure for an art or junk journal, a wrap for a box or other present, and a belly band in a variety of mixed media pages.
All you need is paper but a bit of patience helps. The first couple of times you try this it may be frustrating but keep at it and be sure and pause the video as many times as you need to get each step down then move onto the next one. You will get there!
Actual folding begins at the 11:05 mark.
Altered board book online masterclass. Everything you need to know to make an altered board book!
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My online illustrated journal class is here:
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My other online courses are here:
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To see printable scans of vintage paper ephemera from my private collection, they are here on Etsy:
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If you are interested in buying original paper and vintage ephemera bundles full of cards, paper, handwritten pieces, lace, and more I sell them here:
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If you want free printable wildflower pages they are on my website here:
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Finally, here is the link to PB Krieg's tutorial video showing how to fold the Hedi Kyle belt:
• Paper Belt Strap Closu...

[@BookandPaperArts]

Altered board book online masterclass. Everything you need to know to make an altered board book! kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific.com/courses/altered-board-book-master-class My online illustrated journal class is here: kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific.com/courses/the-book-of-you-making-and-keeping-a-visual-diary

[@Angellosa]

That's beautiful..! Thanks.

[@BookandPaperArts]

A pleasure, Angel.

[@sunnie2474]

I think would be a fun bookmark!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Sunnie, I like how you think. And funny enough, I made bookmarks out of my imperfect first efforts! 😁

[@kristinev7671]

Excellent instruction ❤

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you so, Kristine!

[@cindycoven1]

Back in the day we folded notes like this😂and gum wrappers partially. That was so we could make long chains.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Cindy, I know those! And links of the pop tops on soda cans that we strung across the room. 😉

[@bronx72a]

At around 25:50, you discuss making it stay tight. I found if you fold the end back over the buckle and trim it, you can tuck it into the buckle again on the other side, from the top, which kind of locks it. I was using the upside down version, with the square buckle, but think it would work right side up, too. Not sure if I explained that very well.

[@BookandPaperArts]

This is interesting because it is exactly what I did to my own piece (but off camera the next day) to make it stay in place so yeah, it makes sense. Thanks for comparing notes and touching base! Kelly

[@yellowsunnybear375]

Awesome instructions! I will definitely be making one of these. A tip on having a sense of humor when trying to make Hedi Kyle projects - find a child/teen that loves art and do it together! My niece has helped me enjoy such challenges!

[@BookandPaperArts]

That. Is. A. Genius. Idea. It's funny because one of my set-piece ideas about learning something scary (a foreign language or making a website, for instance) is that you find the kid version of the instructions. There almost always are some and if an eight year old can do it...So thanks for the reminder and for touching base! Kelly

[@CatherineSunnysideJournals]

Fun!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Catherine. For me the learning curve was kind of out there but now that I have it down, I really have it down.

[@suzyallen1726]

This is the most interesting video. I love how you told us to have a sense of humor and it took you several tries. Very good instruction. I love how you did it several times. I'll have to try this when I'm relaxed but I love it

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Suzy. Seriously, about the second time I unfolded one halfway through and refolded then unfolded again I almost screamed. Then it started to make sense and now I can whip them off in 30 seconds. So, worth sticking with it. 😺

[@sandybe11]

This is so cool and unique, Kelly. Love this as a journal closure. The book page one and the plain paper could be decorated so many ways, stamping, watercolor, stencil. Thanks for sharing!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Sandy. I agree about the decorating. I'm thinking some asemic writing and/or mark making would be cool. Kelly

[@jeffreycrawley1216]

Excellent! Entertaining my 11 yo great-niece on a Saturday. This morning it was letter locking like the Elizabethans, this afternoon Belly Bands and Blizzard Books, We each managed the band on the first try although one was more . . . elegant than the other! Is that a Canadian accent I hear? You sound very much like a friend in BC. Happy folding!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hiya, Jeffrey. Thanks for touching base. I love working with kids in paper arts. They are so fearless. And what you hear is not exactly an authentic accent. I was raised in rural Mississippi and believe you me, my original accent was far different from this one. I lived in Wales for 20 years and this kind of evolved but my husband says that I have a southern accent when my family calls on the phone, so...😺Kelly

[@diane2941]

I've never seen this before. Going to give it a try! Thanks for the instructions.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Diane. It was new to me, too. I have a book about Hedi Kyle's designs but this wasn't in it. Came across it by accident (or was it?). Kelly

[@whtwasithinking]

I love this paper belt. Thanks for the reminder as I have not made one in a while. The hardest part of this belt for me is getting that last little triangle into the pocket. You make it look so easy.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Lucy. Well, pockets and I understand each other. (Also, it helps to add an extra crease before feeding it in. 😉)

[@roksannastephens4375]

Fun band, thanks for sharing. Love the feather tucked in, too.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks bunches, Roksanna. I just love finding new places to add just one more bit of stuff. 😺😺

[@roksannastephens4375]

@@BookandPaperArts yes!!

[@karenpuschmann4157]

Ta daa. Brilliant explanation.TFS

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Karen. It took me two days to manage it but now I am making them lickety-split out of all of the different papers I can find. Kelly

[@NolaTheAlamoChiliQueen]

I love the belt! You always do such a great job of everything. Can’t wait to see your future vids on the folded journals.

[@NolaTheAlamoChiliQueen]

Just an fyi… when I went to google to search “Hedi Kyle folded paper”, this vid popped up!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Nola. Thanks a bunch. Some of the books I've made before but there are many videos of those already about. The ones I want to try left me gnashing my teeth. But I'm not giving up. I'm thinking one book a month starting in July.

[@barrylytle5118]

Interesting....I'm not good with folding...lol. But will give this a try.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Barry. Just baby steps. It is worth it. Super fun.

[@ladyflimflam]

What book are the wildflower illustration’s from?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi there. I don't have the book with me just now but it is something like Wildflowers of Britain. I will get the name tomorrow from the studio and get back to you asap. I use these all the time! Kelly

[@BookandPaperArts]

Got it. It is The Concise British Flora in Colour. There are many editions and I try to get the ones from the 1960s or early '70s as the paper feels better. You can find these in charity shops or second hand bookstores or online. Sometimes online the are crazy expensive but I have a saved search on Ebay and whenever (rarely but from time to time) one comes up for less than £10 I buy it. The pages go a long way. I have probably bought six copies through the years and mean to buy more. Keep me posted! 🌷🌷🌻🌻🌼🌼