Home » So Crafty

★ HOW TO make a Leather Journal - BOOK BINDING tutorial ★

Studentz by Studentz
Last updated: 29.01.2012

Step-by-Step Instructions for a Classic Leather Notebook

The following tutorial shows you how to make a Moleskine-style journal using traditional book binding methods, and then how to make a leather cover for a real luxury look.

Don't be put off by the lengthy and detailed instructions - someone who has never done anything like this before can easily make a decent journal - my first bound book turned out pretty well!

I hope you find this how-to easy to follow. Any problems, let me know in the comments section, thanks!

Tools & Materials You Will Need:

  • 24 x A4 sheets of paper.
    I used sugar paper in 100gsm weight, but you can use any paper about that weight, such as regular printer/copier paper. If you want to use heavier, thicker paper such as watercolour paper, you can alter the tutorial to incorporate it. You can of course use any paper such as lined paper, graph paper, coarse painting paper etc.
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • An awl
  • Beeswax (optional, but recommended)
  • Strong thread in your choice of colour. I used white upholstery thread.
  • Scissors
  • 2 clamps/vices OR a large flower press
  • Catalogues/magazines/thick cardboard you don't mind damaging OR a large flower press OR 2 pieces of wood bigger than the resulting journal size (and about 0.5cm - 2cm thick)
  • Heavy books/catalogues
  • Glue such as PVA. I used Aleene's Tacky Glue
  • Bone folder
  • Flat, hard surface to work on
  • X-acto craft knife plus something to cut on (such as a craft mat or thick cardboard), OR a guillotine
  • 1 A4 sheet of heavier paper or thin card. I used a thin piece of black card.
  • A piece of soft leather measuring at least 15.25" (38.75cm) x 6" (15.2cm).
    You could also choose a different cover material such as suede, leatherette, oilcloth, wool, felt, quilted fabric or any other thick-ish fabric that takes your fancy!
  • Small piece of cheesecloth or other open weave, thin fabric. Approx. 4.5" x 3" in size
  • 1 x A4 piece of scrap paper (to make a template from)
  • A bookbinder's needle. I used a small and a medium sized yarn darning needle, but as long as it's larger than a regular sewing needle and smaller than the awl holes in the paper, then it should work absolutely fine.
  • Glue spreader. Could also use a lollipop stick or a bit of folded card.
  • Double-sided tape
  • Strong sewing thread (preferably to match your cover material). I used waxed brown Nymo beading thread.
  • Strong glue (you only need this if you don't want the leather cover to be removeable). I used E600 glue.
  • A scrap piece of A3 paper, or 2 A4 pieces sellotaped together.
  • A press stud (or another method of fastening if you prefer)

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Square knot instructions:
http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/reefknot.htm

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10

Leather Cover Template

(Not to scale)

Measure out and draw this template on either a piece of scrap A3 paper, or 2 pieces of A4 paper taped together.
Cut out the template shape by following the outline - ignore the other lines.

Most of the lines are to show you how I reached this size. Starting from the left, the sections represent: the width of the inside cover, the width of the outside cover, the width of the spine, the back outside cover, the depth of the journal, then a small section to ensure the leather completely wraps around the journal, and then a point for the flap.

To sum up, the cover needs to be a rectangle of 15.25" (38.75cm) x 6" (15.2cm) with two triangles of 2" (5cm) x 2.5" (6.25cm) cut off one end.

Step 11

Press Stud

At this point you have the option of sewing half of the press stud onto the leather. Otherwise, you can glue it on later like I did, but this is less secure.

The press stud half should be sewn approximately 5.5" away from the straight end (as opposed to the flap end) of the leather length, making sure it is centred.

Step 12

Step 13

Finished!

Well done, you now have a completed leather journal!
And if you're anything like me, it won't be the last one you make :-)

Finished Journal

Finished Journal

Other Journal Tutorials

Book Binding Resource
Huge list of brilliant tutorials for all kinds of shapes, sizes and materials of books.
Rugged Leather Cover
In a rustic style with wrap-around strap.
Impressive Leather Cover
Professional looking cover with pen holder.
Simple Leather Journal
Where the leather is sewn directly to the leather.
Rustic Journal
With snap button closure. One of my favourite tutorials :-)
Decorating Your Leather Cover
With patterns and dyes.
Moleskine Style Notebook
With more info on the book binding technique.
YouTube Videos
Showing you how to make a range of different journals.
Moleskine Tutorial
Using coptic binding.
Coptic Stitching Inspiration
Some gorgeous examples.
Leather & Fabric Wrapped Journals
Lovely journals made of different cover materials and reclaimed papers.

Journal Making Videos

Loading

Variations

  • You can use different paper for your journal. If using thicker paper, you will need to have as little as 2 or 3 folios per siganture to allow the pages to lie flat. Experiment to see how many folios are best for your choice of paper.
  • You can use more, or less, signatures in your journal.
  • You can use different methods of fastening the cover, such as using an elastic strap, a button, velcro or a wrap-around ribbon/cord.
  • You can change the size of your pages. If you make them much larger, you will need more stitches to connect them. There should be at most 2-3" between holes in the signatures.
  • You can use a different cover material, as long as it's not too thin.
  • There are an unlimited number of ways that you can change the cover design, so it's completely up to you!

Handmade Journals

This beautiful journal, and many more, are available here.

For more handmade journals for sale, please visit:
Wee Bindery
Kallibuch
Tactile Books Shop
Ruth Bleakley
Janette Maher
Books By Stephen

Top Rated How-To Books & Leather Journals

Loading

Poll

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Please Comment On My Lens!

submit
Show All

My Blog

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

My Lenses

Loading

Blog Posts from Google

Learn how to hand bind a leather journal
Gallery Representation includes the Gallery Uptown, Grand Haven, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, and the Muskegon Museum of Art Gift Store. Participants in a two-day Hand Bound Leather Embossed Journal Workshop, that takes place 10 am-4 pm Friday and ...
Cue Calendar
Mail to Calendar/Night Life, in care of Mickey Wieland, Cue, Journal Star, 1 News Plaza, Peoria, IL 61643; send faxes to 686-3296; or send email to mwieland@pjstar.com. No information will be taken over the phone. NOTE: The public is invited to submit ...
Powered by Google

This So Crafty page written by

Studentz

Hi there, and thanks for visiting! A bit about me: I have been running a jewellery shop called The Wellington Boot since graduating from university with... more »

Create something new! Show off your work! Time to get So Crafty!

Connect with So Crafty

This author recommends...

Featured Lenses 

Loading

Book Craft 

Bookcraft: Techniques for Binding, Folding, and Decorating to Create Books and More

Bookcraft: Techniques for Binding, Folding, and Decorating to Create Books and More

by: Heather Weston

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 03/01/2012)Buy Now