How to Make Your Own Journal/book

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Make your own journal/book

How to Make Your Own Journal/book

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Step 1 of 29
Supplies

Supplies

Step 2 of 29
I'm using card stock paper, so I'm doing sets of 3 pages per set and folding them in half. Regular paper is easier to work with and you can do sets of 6 pages per set.

I'm using card stock paper, so I'm doing sets of 3 pages per set and folding them in half. Regular paper is easier to work with and you can do sets of 6 pages per set.

Step 3 of 29
When marking where the holes will go, you should mark it an inch away from all sides. I did two sets of 3 marks on my pages

When marking where the holes will go, you should mark it an inch away from all sides. I did two sets of 3 marks on my pages

Step 4 of 29
Make your holes

Make your holes

Step 5 of 29
This is the diagram is usually use to sew it together.  I make a small knot at the end of my string and go in 1 and come out 2 then go in 3 and come out 4, go in 5 come out 6...

This is the diagram is usually use to sew it together. I make a small knot at the end of my string and go in 1 and come out 2 then go in 3 and come out 4, go in 5 come out 6...

Step 6 of 29
Hope this helps understanding how the thread goes when sewing. You go in 1 and come out 2....   *it has to be 1 long thread*   I used different colors so you can see the pattern better.

Hope this helps understanding how the thread goes when sewing. You go in 1 and come out 2.... *it has to be 1 long thread* I used different colors so you can see the pattern better.

Step 7 of 29
In, out, in, out...

In, out, in, out...

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...in, out

...in, out

Step 9 of 29
The last part I usually make a little hoop and knot it.

The last part I usually make a little hoop and knot it.

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Step 11 of 29
Now measure your height (mines almost half an inch by 8.5

Now measure your height (mines almost half an inch by 8.5

Step 12 of 29
My width is 5.5 by 8.5

My width is 5.5 by 8.5

Step 13 of 29

When making the front and back covers they should be 1/4 inch bigger than the size of the paper on all sides.

Step 14 of 29
1/4 bigger

1/4 bigger

Step 15 of 29
I measure the spin like this. You don't want it too big but the length should be 1/4 bigger

I measure the spin like this. You don't want it too big but the length should be 1/4 bigger

Step 16 of 29
Front and back cover and the spin

Front and back cover and the spin

Step 17 of 29
Now add some glue to the spin put the wax paper on with some clips and let it dry

Now add some glue to the spin put the wax paper on with some clips and let it dry

Step 18 of 29
Cut the fabric about an inch bigger all around your covers

Cut the fabric about an inch bigger all around your covers

Step 19 of 29
I glue my cover done with a hot glue gun. (I added some paper to my cardboard since my fabric was see through.)

I glue my cover done with a hot glue gun. (I added some paper to my cardboard since my fabric was see through.)

Step 20 of 29
Once your fabric is glued down, glue all the corners in

Once your fabric is glued down, glue all the corners in

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Glue the sides in

Glue the sides in

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The inside cover has to be the same size as your paper. Make sure the patter your pick is long enough to cover your whole book

The inside cover has to be the same size as your paper. Make sure the patter your pick is long enough to cover your whole book

Step 23 of 29
You will need two; one for the front and one for the back. (this will go on the inside of the book)

You will need two; one for the front and one for the back. (this will go on the inside of the book)

Step 24 of 29
Measure it and cut out the extra paper

Measure it and cut out the extra paper

Step 25 of 29
You will glue this to the cardboard and the first page of your book

You will glue this to the cardboard and the first page of your book

Step 26 of 29
Glue it (I use a hot glue gun) I always start with the paper first. Do the same with the other side

Glue it (I use a hot glue gun) I always start with the paper first. Do the same with the other side

Step 27 of 29
Once everything is glued you're done

Once everything is glued you're done

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Step 29 of 29

Hope it's not too complicated. I'll answer all the questions you have.

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14 Comments
Supplies

Sets of paper

Glue

Wax thread

Fabric

Cardboard

Decorative paper

Wax paper

Needle

Awl

Ruler

Pencil

Clips

Lilah Sherr

I love it!

Lilah Sherr 4 months ago

Mathilda Flores

NOW i get it, thank you for an awesome guide! 😊

Mathilda Flores last year

Kayla Southorn

I think I get it now!!! Im gonna give it ago this w/end! ;) Thanku!

Kayla Southorn last year

Victoria West

Awesome guide! Can't wait to make my first book!

Victoria West last year

Annie Frost

Please can we have a picture of the front

Annie Frost last year

Cristal Hernández

I added a picture of how the thread goes in the diagram.

(author) last year

Cristal Hernández

The 9th picture is when I was done sewing. Since it is white wax thread it's hard to see. Sorry I don't have anymore pictures.

(author) last year

Cristal Hernández

I use wax thread, it's meant for jewelry making but also works with the binding. You can use anything that's not too tick and wont break when you are pulling it.

(author) last year

Kayla Southorn

This is such a great idea but still don't understand the sewing part!!

Kayla Southorn last year

Au Natural

Can you pls add a picture of how it looks on the outside and the spine? Thanks!

Au Natural last year

Mathilda Flores

Okey now I understand, thanks! But just one last question: how did you sew them together? All the sets?

Mathilda Flores last year

Cristal Hernández

I had 5 set with 3 papers in each set. In the diagram the numbers show you how to follow the pattern, since I had six holes instead of 4 I just keep the same pattern going. Once you start sewing its a lot easier to understand. You start with one set of papers and just keep adding sets. You have to make sure it's tight or else you will have a gap in your book. That's why you do one set at a time and just go through all the holes with one string. If you look at the picture you can see how the inside of the book looks when I had to go from one set of holes to the next.

(author) last year

Jan Collado

Very good idea. ! Thank you. I also have the same ???

Jan Collado last year

Mathilda Flores

That sewing diagram, i didn't really understand that part. Did you sew those six holes on one paperset or did you sew those six holes from all papersets together and if that's the case how did the diagram work with six holes? Or did you sew three holes at a time? How did the diagram work then? Sorry for all the questions. :)

Mathilda Flores last year

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Tatianna Timor

How did you make your holes? I'm gonna do this book for my project. Is card stock really expensive? Do you suggest using regular paper?

Tatianna Timor last year

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Tatianna Timor

Do you glue the cardboard spine only to the card stock?

Tatianna Timor last year

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