This week I sat down for tea and crafts with my lovely friend Anna. 
We made some super cute DIY journals with real bindings! A project I’ve been wanting to try for awhile, I was so surprised how well they turned out. I have a feeling I’ll be making about a million more of these cute little books. I used regular copy paper, but I think I will make a sketch book or watercolor journal next.
Here’s what you need to make this handmade journal:
Here’s how you make this handmade journal:
1. Fold 48 pieces of paper long wise.
2. Cut each piece in half.
3. Make 8 small booklets using 6 sheets of cut paper (12 pages per booklet).
4. Use this template to mark holes with your needle in each booklet.
5. Sew booklets together, following the holes you’ve already marked and secure bias tape under outside stitches.
6. Sew all 8 booklets together side by side, crossing the outside stitch (shown above), then heavily mod podge/glue the entire spine and let dry.
7. Cut two pieces of cardboard (I used the back of an old sketch book) 4 3/4″ x 6″. Allow 1 1/2″ for the spine, mark where each piece of cardboard lays on fabric.
8. Cut rectangle of interfacing to fit within the front and back covers (iron on if fusible). Cut top and bottom of spine and sew down.
9. Glue extra piece of scrap fabric around spine of pages to secure and glue bookmark ribbon (optional).
10. Put cardboard in place and glue down edges of fabric, let dry.
11. Glue inside pages in place by gluing bias tape and scrap fabric to each side of cardboard.
12. Glue card stock over each side of inner cover.
All finished! So so so cute. I’m so stoked on this little book, I don’t even want to write in it yet. This is a great way to make a super personalized recipe book, or address book, maybe even a daily planner. I’m going to play around with some different sizes, try some other vintage fabrics and possibly even add a closing latch or small inner pocket. The possibilities are endless! Please leave any questions or comments you have and I’ll be glad to help. As always, I’d love to see your version if you complete this project.
Happy Crafting!
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I’ve been wanting to make a real binding forever, this tutorial is great, as always <3
Siiiiick. didn’t realize making your own book was so easy.
Love this.
tea and crafts, thats how i roll.
Cute vintage fabric!
i wish i could write as well as you do in your blog, real cool stuff.
You have so many great tutorials, I’m not sure which one to do first. I’ve always wanted to make my own handmade book, two words: Christmas Presents.
do you think regular cardboard would work for the covers?
Yes, but the density of the sketchbook back makes it feel more like a real book. I’m sure there are plenty of different materials you could use though. Maybe even thin particle board?
I am always learning new things with your tutorials, thanks for sharing your big ol’ creative brain.
Do you have to use the waxed thread? or will regular thread/twine work?
I think you need the strength of the waxed thread, regular thread may be too weak to hold the binding together.
You just opened my world to a million possibilites lol! I’m going to make a million of these too!
cute!