Finally - A Tutorial... How To Make A Notebook - Part 1

Ok...so, WAY BACK in...September (?) I had shown a notebook on here that I had made from random supplies I had at the time...and some people were interested in a tutorial... and now I have (finally) made a tutorial on how it was done, just in time for Valentine's Day... Stay tuned, 'cause it's coming in a few different parts.

Let's get started... (*Note - Photo FOLLOWS instructions.)

SUPPLY LIST:

- Fabric of Choice (the original book used upholstery vinyl; this one is stretch leopard print...the vinyl was MUCH easier to work with!)

- Notepad(s) or Index Cards

- Terrifically Tacky Tape or other red-lined SUPER STICKY tape!

- SU! Keytag Punch (*optional, but makes life easier)

- Scrap Cardboard (I used the backs of two notepads; if you're using index cards, just use them)

- Scrap Cardstock (I use white; this will be the interior lining of your book.)

- Scrap of Fabric (and scrap cs, if you're using a lightweight fabric.)

- Velcro or Magnetic Closure (or button, if you're capable of making button holes)

Got your stuff together? Good. Here we go...

Step 1: Measure your notepad or stack of index cards - Length, Width AND Height (of your pad/stack of cards). Mine is: 4.25" (L) x 3.5" (W) x 0.5" (H) - I actually used 3 notepads in order to get the height I wanted.

Step 2: Know what size cover you need to cut from your fabric. The formula I use is:

(width of notepad x 2) + (height of stack) + (1") <--- {This is the width of your cover piece}

AND

(length of notepad) + (1") <--- {This is the length of your cover piece}

SO - my fabric is cut to approximately 8.5" x 5.25"... it doesn't have to be perfect, as these edges will be covered - just make sure you've got at least 0.5" of overhang on all sides, to fold over & secure your cover (a quarter inch would most likely work, too - but I like to be sure.)

Step 3: Find the centre of your fabric ON THE WRONG SIDE and place a strip of Tacky Tape over the center line, end to end. Leave the liner ON! Since I was working with 0.5" Tacky Tape, I only needed one strip; depending on what you're working with, either use wider or skinnier tape, or multiple pieces - if you're using more than one, make sure there are no gaps between the pieces!

Step 4: Place your Scrap Cardboard (cut to size of notepads, or just two extra Index Cards that are the same size as you're using for your pages) on either side of your centre line. With this stretchy fabric, I left a bit of extra space on either side of my 'spine' - I didn't need to do that when I used the vinyl, as it had no movement at all. When you're happy with your placement, and your covers are even, stick 'em down with your tacky tape.

Alright...that's enough for today. I'll be back with more tomorrow.

Steph