I created a tutorial to make this set of three notebooks with handmade paper covers. They would make a really nice gift for both men and women or a favor at an event. You could use any heavyweight handmade paper or card stock for the cover. If you use machine-made paper for the cover, make sure the grain runs parallel to the spine of the book.
About the Binding
The notebooks are sewn using one of the easiest and most versatile stitches, the 5-Hole Pamphlet Stitch. It can be used on its own to make nice notebooks but also combined with other structures, such as accordion or concertina bindings. If you are making a smaller book, you could use 3 holes or 7 holes if you wanted to make a bigger book.
For tips on making signatures, please check out this blog post: 9 Tips for Awesome Book Pages.
Materials (for one notebook)
1 piece of handmade paper for cover, 8.25″ x 8.25″ (21cm x 21cm)
6-10 pieces text weight paper, 6″ x 8″, (folded and trimmed to make a 6″ x 4″/15cm x 10cm signature)
Scrap paper for template, 6″ x 2″ (15cm x 5cm)
Waxed linen thread, 18″ (46cm)
Double stick tape
Ribbon and paper to decorate
Tools
Bone folder
Metal ruler
Triangle or square (metal or plastic)
Bookbinding needle
Awl
Pencil
Punching cradle
Enjoy the project and post any comments or questions below!
Thank you for the tutorial – like the inside pocket.
A wonderful tutorial! Thank you.
Great tutorial! Thank you for taking the time to be so clear and thorough. Yes LOVE the pocket too!!
Ali is the best!!
This is so simple but so nice. Thanks for the great tutorial.
Thank you. Yes, great idea with the pocket!
This looks like the perfect entry into bookmaking for me! Thank you, Ali! xx
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Your tutorial is very clear. Now I’m off to try my hand at making these.
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Great tutorial, as always, Ali! Thank you so much for sharing. Explicit directions make it so easy to follow.
Your videos are wonderful! Full of tips and hints and well photographed besides.
Thank you so much Diane
Thank you so much for this! They are beautiful!
Thanks Diane!
You spoke of a video where you create the perfect textblock for a book like this one. Do you trim the edges of the textblock before you sew into the cover?
What specific type of cardboard do you use for covers? Thickness, etc
I use handmade paper for my covers, but you could use a 110lb card stock (this is the weight used in scrapbooking).
What a lovely tutorial! Thank you. Can’t wait to watch the others.