Craft Show Network

A handmade book or journal is a wonderfully personal item that can be used for your own journaling, as a photo album or given as a gift. This article outlines the materials you’ll need to make the notebook, provide step-by-step instructions for the sewn-in bookbinding technique, and show how to make the hard cover.

Here is what you’ll need to get started:

Materials

• Card Stock, Thin Cardboard, Old Record Album Cover
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Xacto Knife
• Bone Folder
• Pencil
• Cutting Board
• Paper
• Embroidery Needle or other thick sized needle
• Embroidery or Bookbinding Thread
• Large Paper Clips
• Paper (8.5×11, or 8.5×14)

Featured Videos

These video segments demonstrate how to make a journal using the sewn in bookbinding technique. Andrea’s segments on making a handmade journal make the bookmaking process easy to understand. In Megan’s video series of making a handmade book, you’ll find techniques that will make the end product look professionally made. Printable instructions are listed below the video clips.

Making A Hardcover Journal With Andrea

In this series from the UK, Andrea has thoroughly documented the many steps in making a handmade journal. This video how-to guide will give you many ideas, as well as practical tips in making a journal that has an extremely professional appearance, as well as a beautiful work that is sure to become a treasured piece for friends and family.

Topic: Making Your Own Hardcover Journal
Host: Andrea

Topic: Making Your Own Hardcover Journal – Part Two
Host: Andrea

Topic: Making Your Own Hardcover Journal – Part Two b
Host: Andrea
Subject: This step-by-step guide shows exactly how to create the pages for your journal, and has many practical tips from Andrea that you will find helpful as you create your own book.

Topic: Making Your Own Hardcover Journal – Part Three
Host: Andrea
Summary: In this segment, Andrea demonstrates how to make the hard cover of your journal.

Topic: Making Your Own Hardcover Journal – Part Four
Host: Andrea
Summary: The final steps in creating your journal, including how to create end papers.

Bookmakikng With Megan

Topic: Bookmaking Basics
Host: Megan

Topic: Making A Hardcover Book – Part One
Host: Megan

Making A Hardcover Book – Part Two
Host: Megan

This is a great video showing all of the steps in making a handmade book or journal.

Printable Instructions for making a handmade book

Download this printable PDF of step-by-step instructions for making a handmade book, as featured on Instructables.com