Mini Leather Journal Tutorial

This quick and easy miniature leather journal is the perfect blank canvas for your creativity. Whether you fill it with cherished photos, Zentangle doodles, favorite quotes, or your own heartfelt sketches, it becomes a beautiful expression of you. Its compact size makes it ideal for tucking into a pocket, gifting to a friend, or leaving on a desk for a daily dose of inspiration.

✂️ Supplies You’ll Need

• Cover Material: Recycled leather, Kraft-tex, cork fabric, or heavy-duty upholstery fabric. You want something sturdy!
• Paper for Pages: Two strips of paper, 3″ tall and 12″ long (watercolor paper, scrapbook card stock, or handmade paper all work beautifully)
• Photos: Cut to 2.5″ square to leave a nice border on each page
• Ribbon, twine, or elastic: About 12–18″ for the closure
• Tacky glue or any white glue
• Hole punch or awl
• Bone folder, ruler, pencil, and scissors or rotary cutter
• Optional: Button stud or eyelets for a more decorative closure

🧾 Step 1: Fold the Accordion

1. Take your two strips of 3″x12″ paper.
2. Fold each one in half lengthwise, then fold each side back toward the center to create four equal panels.
3. Alternate the direction of your folds so the two accordion strips nest together.
4. Glue the last panel of one strip to the first panel of the second to create one long accordion. Let it dry under a book or water bottle.

📏 Step 2: Cut the Cover

1. Measure your cover to be ¼ inch taller than your pages (so for 3″ pages, your cover will be 3¼”).
2. The length of the cover should wrap around the accordion plus extra for a flap—around 11.75″ worked for mine.
3. Cut your cover using a rotary cutter and ruler—or draw your lines and use scissors.

Optional: Add a curved edge to your flap for a softer, decorative look.

📸 Step 3: Attach the Pages

1. Mark where your accordion should sit on the inside of your cover—leave enough room on the right-hand side for your flap to fold over.
2. Apply glue to the first panel only and press it onto the inside of your cover.
3. Let it dry flat under weight.

🧵 Step 4: Add the Closure

1. Punch two small holes in the flap about ½ inch apart.
2. Feed your ribbon, twine, or elastic through and tie a knot.
3. Optional: Add a bead or button to the end for a fun finishing touch.

💡 Tip: You could also use a button stud closure, add eyelets, or stitch a loop for a more polished look.

🖼️ Step 5: Add Photos

Once your book is assembled and dry, glue in your square-cut photos! You can fill both sides of the accordion if you’d like—just make sure your cover is wide enough to accommodate the thickness.

🌟 Customize It!

• Use scrapbook paper with patterns for a playful vibe.
• Add journaling on the backs of your photos.
• Try a themed book for birthdays, travel, pets, or friendship.

📺 Watch Me Make It

💬 Questions & Tips from the Live Chat

Here are a few great ideas that came up during the live session:

• Can I use cork fabric? Yes! Just choose cork with a fabric backing.
• What about stiffening fabric covers? You can use iron-on interfacing or even brush on a layer of gesso.
• Can I stitch the pages instead of gluing? For this accordion style, gluing is easiest, but creative stitching is possible if you’re up for a challenge!

🧡 Want More Handmade Book Ideas?

This was just one of many holiday gift ideas I’ll be sharing. If you’re not already in the Handmade Book Club, I’d love for you to join us! You’re invited to add your name to the priority list for early access.

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If you make this project, please share it with me on Instagram or tag @vintagepagedesigns—I absolutely love seeing your work!

Until next time,
Ali

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