Handmade Journal Cover Designs

The great thing about handmade journals is that they are unique. They can be tied together with ribbon or string, housed in a box or shell, or even covered in buttons like this journal from Paper Crafts by Design that is sure to be a conversation piece.

For a more notebook holder and earthy look, make your cover out of felt. Felt is created by mating, compacting and pressing fibers together into a thick material that can be shaped into a variety of products. It is eco-friendly and the perfect material to protect your book from scratches and spills. The House That Lars Built has a fun and easy tutorial on making an unbound felt journal, but you can also find many others on my Pinterest board, Hand Made Books.

If you’d like a little bit of extra structure in your journal, use a layer of batting between the outside fabric and the composition book. You can find batting in your local fabric store or online. This step will make your book feel more sturdy and help it stand up better.

10 Handmade Journal Cover Designs That Elevate Your Writing Experience

Before you add the composition book, it’s important to press your fabric thoroughly. You don’t want any wrinkles, especially in the spine area. You can do this by using a steam iron or spraying it with starch. It’s also a good idea to use this opportunity to add a lining if you used a light fabric, since it can prevent the journal from being see-through.