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Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
1h30

Book, Sewing
This is originally by Kirstie Allsopp on her show Handmade Britain but I think mine is simpler and could be used as a practice run. I made a A5 size book but you can change the measurements to make any sized book. If you want to make one as a gift I would follow Kirstie's, linked below.

Posted by VampGirl Published See VampGirl's 3 projects »
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  • Step 1

    Take your paper and fold it in half, so I had 24 sheets of A4 so when I finished folding them they turned into 48 sheets of A5, grouped into sets of 6 sheets, so 4 groups.

  • How to make a leather journal. How To Make A Book - Step 2
    Step 2

    Next take your leather, measure out twice the size of your folded paper. on mine I left extra material so it could be used as a flap. Cut out the material.

  • Step 3

    Next is the confusing bit. Take the card and cut it so it is the same LENGTH as the WIDTH of the material and is about and inch in width. Now on the card mark out a line for each of your groups of paper, so 4 lines about 5mm apart. Next draw on 3 horizontal lines one in the middle then one either side of it a couple of cm away from the centre.

  • How to make a leather journal. How To Make A Book - Step 4
    Step 4

    Next place the card on the material when the paper will be sewn on. where the horizontal and vertical lines cross using a sharp object (I used a safety pin)and punch a hole through the material. So you end up with 12 holes (or more if you have more groups).

  • Step 5

    Using the same piece of card mark and punch 3 holes in the folds of the paper so they line up with the holes in the material.

  • How to make a leather journal. How To Make A Book - Step 6
    Step 6

    Next comes the sewing, I used normal knitting wool. Take the first group of papers and line it up with the holes in the material, cut a length of string about the length from wrist to elbow. Thread your needle and start in the centre inside the paper and go out then go to the top hole and back through so you are back inside the book. Now go down and through the bottom hole, then back through the middle hole so you are back where you started. I just tied a double knot but do whatever works for you.

  • Step 7

    Repeat step 6 for each set of pages. And your finished the hard bit, now its just for the finishing touches. To close my book I just had a long length of Fabric that I tied around it but you could attach a press stud or use buttons.

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