Refillable Leather Journal DIY
Make a chic refillable leather journal out of Cricut Leather and a few other supplies.
This shimmery metallic leather journal has paper folded in half inside, held tightly by elastic, making it refillable as needed.
You can also fill your journal with any type of paper!
I love notebooks so much--you can never have too many!
This is my newest and most favorite book, because it uses regular paper and is refillable.
Fill your leather journal with sketch paper, watercolor paper, kraft paper or just cheap copy paper.
The secret here is the elastic, it's perfect for holding the paper in place and keeping the book together.
I made a journal in rose gold, gold and copper.
Which one is your favorite? I love the copper with the red elastic!
These stunning journals would make a great handmade gift too.
Perfect for Father's day, Mother's day or any day of the week!
Supplies Needed for Refillable Leather Journal:
- Cricut Metallic Leather (9x12" and 3x1.5")
- Eyelets
- Crop-a-Dile
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Rotary Cutter
- Eastic Cord (1/8") cut to 26" and 7" pieces
- Paper Cutter
- Scissors
- Hobby Knife
- Lighter
Here's the full video tutorial with pictures to follow:
Step 1:
Begin by cutting the leather to 9X12" with the ruler and rotary cutter. Then turn it to the rough side and mark the center line on both of the long sides. Mark 1/2" on either side of the center line.
Step 2:
Use the Crop-a-Dile to cut holes on the lines drawn 1/2" from the center. Punch 4 holes and set them with eyelets using the Crop-a-Dile.
Step 3:
Now use the 26 inch piece of elastic and tie a knot on the end of it. Thread it from the inside through the top right eyelet.
Then thread the elastic through the top left eyelet.
Thread the elastic through the lower left eyelet.
Then bring the elastic up through the bottom right eyelet.
Then thread the elastic through the top right hole and back through the top left hole.
Then tie the elastic to the knotted elastic end in a surgeons knot...or a square knot with one extra loop pass through it.
Then pull the elastic down the center to the right hole and thread it through and back up through the left bottom eyelet.
Repeat the process by tying off the center elastic to the remaining tail end of the elastic in the same surgeons knot as previously.
Then straighten up the elastic so it looks nice on the binding edge.
And straighten out the 3 strands of elastic running down the center.
Step 4:
Now make the refillable paper packets by folding 6-10 sheets of paper in half and then cut the edge of them at the 5 inch mark.
I am using laser printer paper at a weight of 28 lb...but you can fill it with watercolor paper, kraft paper, black paper or colored papers!
Then slip the elastic around the paper packets and run the elastic right down the fold of the papers.
Step 5:
Now measure the center of the spine and use the hobby knife to cut a little X in the leather.
The X needs to fit 2 pieces of elastic tightly, so don't cut the x too big. Start small and make it bigger if needed.
Push the 7 inch piece of elastic through the hole and through the eyelets on the small piece of leather.
Pull both elastic ends through the center and tie them off in a overhand knot.
Now that elastic will wrap around the book and keep the pages in order and the book closed.
That's it!
Isn't it beautiful!?
I love the shimmer of the metallic leather.
I love that it's refillable for years of use.
I love the size, perfect for tossing in a bag for sketching, writing, drawing and note-taking on the go.
This super chic journal/notebook is perfect for traveling and great for handmade gifts.
Add personalization with iron-on vinyl if you want.
I love that this notebook is refillable. Just add or take out papers as needed.
The book is firm enough for writing on while on the go and great to have some paper on hand!
Isn't this just fabulous!?
I've done over 2500 posts on my blog. I do crafts and DIY's every day...but this project is my favorite right now.
I love them! I want to make one for every human I know!
Fill with musings, poetry, artwork and more!
Which metallic shade do you like best?
When I get a new notebook, journal, sketchbook or even notepad...I have a really hard time using it.
I feel like I have to wait to have something really amazing, important or high quality to put into my new book.
I love the freedom this refillable journal gives me because it's fancy and new, but the paper is refillable, so there's no need to stress about making something "good" enough.
Easy to save off valuable papers later and fill with more pages as needed.
They look great in a basket on the coffee table too!
Gorgeous leather bound journals.
These can also be made with faux leather and other thick flexible materials.
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Use the leftover leather to make mini refillable notebooks!
Check out these fun DIY Journals too!
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