10 MINUTE JOURNAL: | Easy Handmade Book Tutorial

The pamphlet stitch is a very simple bookbinding stitch, but it's also versatile. You can jazz it up and create all sorts of fun handmade books! In this handmade book tutorial, I show you how to make a 3-hole pamphlet stitch journal. I use canvas for my book cover, Khadi paper for my signatures, and some scrap ribbon and eyelets for the closure.

If you have any questions about making this pamphlet stitch journal, let me know in the comments!

MATERIALS
Blue paper is Yucutan paper from Mexico:

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ABOUT VINTAGE PAGE DESIGNS
Vintage Page Designs is an online book arts community based in Groton, Massachusetts. We provide bookbinding tutorials and resources for beginner and advanced bookmakers alike, and we encourage artists and crafters to express their ideas and creativity through handmade books. It’s our belief that anyone can create a handmade book—it doesn’t require expensive tools or equipment.

We open membership to the Handmade Book Club a few times a year, so keep an eye out for those announcements!

[iamdawt]

Thank you, Ali, this is such a sweet little book. And as Betsy said below, 1/2" bar trick is a game changer!

[betsywilsonczt]

Brilliant with the 1/2” bar trick. I’ll be trying that! I love that the book is from bits of scraps and leftovers….lovely!

[suegeew]

I've been pining over a sketchbook for watercolor that is very much out of my price range at present. Then your site popped up and I found this. I have some good paper and can improvise. I don't feel bad about not buying the journal now, I will try and make my own based on this. I'm not on IG but will let you know if it comes out nice. Thank you for a quick, thoughtful and totally useful journal idea!

[marinakitto]

Thanks for the free tutorial. It’s a lovely little book.

[shronrowe]

Brillant tutorial. And great trick to make the spine. Like your calm friendly voice

[maggiefreeman]

Great tutorial. Easy to follow and well explained. Thanks very much.

[joycemccullough]

Thanks for sharing this. Very informative. ❤️

[simplysamanthacreates]

Love this! Now I just need to figure out all my scraps!

[ahafun]

i love this! wonder also what the canvas might be treated with prior to painting. also, the tip about using the metal bar (or cardboard or whatever) to measure for scoring to get the desired spine with is absolutely brilliant!

[LauraJane_mammacooksalot]

Absolutely Fabulous!!! Thanks for the inspiration and step-by-step process :))

[suebowen]

Love the top tip with the measuring bar, thank you .What thread would you suggest for these notebooks please .

[cherylhicks]

This book is adorable! Canvas is on sale at JoAnn's this weekend--woohoo! Is the canvas treated with anything? Gesso? Matte medium? Thanks Ali for always sharing your talents with us!

[supermamadesvosges]

How beautiful ! Where does your blue thread come from ? Thanks for sharing ❤️

[BigMoepar]

Cool! Made my first one with card stock as cover part.
I have some loose canvas that's not stiff enough to score. Does that part really important if scoring doesn't work for a particular bit of canvas?

[cyndyjones]

A darling little book. Thank you! Question, I fell in love with the stencil you used on the cover. Do you recall the designer or company whose stencil it is? Might no longer be available but I would love to try! Thank you again!

[mariabarrowstressrelief]

I need to find the tool to make the holes so I can stitch. Someone suggest where to go in Detroit, mi. JoAnn?

[anahurm]

I love this little book. Going to try it. My Instagram is private, but I can post it on my FB page...