Leather journals are too expensive but they make great gifts for any occasion. In fact, a leather journal actually ‘lends distinction to your thoughts’.

Though these leather journals are very expensive, you can make them at a much cheaper cost at home. If you have an old but unused blank journal with leather, modify it to a contemporary look and feel. You may also create a removable cover for that grand and typical journal that was your favourite at one time. This will help the journal to lasts for years and you may present it to someone as well.

When you make and give a personalized leather journal to a friend or relative, on any occasion, he or she is bound to treasure it forever. This is because they will cherish your thoughtfulness and affection for them.

In this article, we will show you how to make a leather journal in a few easy steps.

Some of the things you will need to make the journal are –

A Blank journal
Tailor’s chalk
Lightweight leather
Craft glue
Shears
Wax paper or plastic wrap
Sewing machine

The steps below, if followed properly, will help you prepare a professional looking journal.

The first step is to look for a blank paperback journal and buy something that suits your purpose. The point a hairdryer on the Hot setting towards the spine. This will help to soften the glue.

The second step is to peel off the paperback cover carefully. Attempt to keep it in one piece, because this will help to serve as a pattern for your leather.

Now lay the cover, open and flat, on top of the leather and trace around the leather with tailor’s chalk. Add 1/8 inch to the left and right sides of the leather. This will not fold as flat as will the paper cover, and so needs a little extra to get the proper shape and fit. When done, you may use the shears carefully to cut the leather.

What you have to do next is brush some craft glue on the cover-less journal, specifically along the spine and the first and last pages. In fact, you must glue it in all the areas where the paperback cover was stuck. Use a thin layer of glue—-enough to bind the leather, but not so thick that it smears or warps the leather.

The final step is to wrap the leather cover carefully on the journal by pressing the cover along the spine and smoothing out any ugly bubble. You may wrap the journal in wax paper or plastic, and then press it under something heavy, maybe some fat books. You should run your thumb along the spine, from time to time, to be sure that the leather binds to it.

Allow the journal to dry overnight, in order to avoid any slip-shod work.