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This DIY mini notebook is so easy to make and super cute with a free printable cover!
I’ll admit that this isn’t the most sophisticated way to create a little notebook (or the most sewing machine friendly…), but it’s a lot of fun and a great way to make custom little notebooks for doodling, notes, and reminders.
I don’t know about y’all, but I love carrying a little notebook around in my purse to jot down ideas and lists!
For simplicity’s sake, these notebooks have a finished size of 1/4 of a sheet of 8.5″x11″ printer paper.
You can make them smaller if you’d like to do more cutting! I used regular, plain printer paper, but nicer paper would make the notebooks, well, nicer. With some resume paper, for example, these little guys could make a great homemade gift idea!
Supplies for DIY mini notebooks
- A piece of cardstock
- Regular printer paper (I recommend using 8 sheets)
- Paper trimmer. This is my favorite because the wire guide shows you where you’re cutting!
- Sewing machine with thread and a needle you’re willing to dull
- A couple binder clips
- Sea Friends Notebook Covers free printable
How to make your own simple notebooks
1. If you’re using the printable, go ahead and print it out on a sheet of cardstock. The images are already lined up so they’ll be placed correctly! If you’re drawing your own pictures, I advise cutting the cardstock in half and drawing before assembling the notebooks. It makes drawing so much easier and you don’t have to start the project over if you make a mistake!
2. Cut you paper and cover in half to make pages that are 8.5″x5.5″. I’ve tried notebooks with 8 and with 10 sheets, and I think 8 is easier to work with.
3. Fold one sheet of paper in half for each notebook. If you’re making two notebooks, for example, fold two sheets in half.
4. Clip the cover, image facing out, to eight of the half-sheets you prepared in step #2, making sure a folded sheet is the top one on the stack.
5. Using a needle (that you will probably never be able to sew fabric with again…) and a sewing machine, carefully stitch down the folded center
line. I recommend using a stitch length of 3 or 4 – smaller stitches can basically perforate the pages and make them rip out easily.
6. Carefully fold your notebook in half along the stitched line. Some of the pages will probably stick out a little – this is normal! You can trim the edges if you’d like.
7. Enjoy your awesome new notebooks!
I have to admit that I feel a little cool for drawing these two sea critters. I’ve never thought of myself as someone who can draw, but I’ve had lots of fun doodling recently. I’ve realized that not being able to draw realistically doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy drawing! Plus, it’s really nice that Papi Chulo encourages me and always acts impressed by whatever I’ve managed to get on paper. =)
Do you enjoy carrying a little notebook around? What do you use it for?
Remember to save this mini notebook tutorial to your favorite board!
Natasha is a former classroom teacher turned WAHM. She also is a registered yoga teacher & holds a certificate in natural skincare formulation from the School of Natural Skincare. She shares her passion for education, positive parenting, free printables, and recipes for DIY bath & home products. Learn more about Natasha and where she’s been featured.
Great idea and your little guy-guys are the cutest! I’m good to write stuff down, and then never look at it again… grocery lists remain on the table while I’m at the store, for instance! But I do carry a small notebook around to pretend I’m organized :p
I’ve forgotten the grocery list before! Even if I do forget, I find that physically writing things down helps me remember a bit better.
SUPER cute. I’m a notebook carrier, too. I have a couple of them stashed around the house, plus my day planner that has a huge space for each day. I’d just lose my mind if I didn’t write everything down.
I’m glad I’m not the only person who still keeps a physical planner! Mine is pretty small, but it feels far more satisfying to write things down instead of just punch them in my phone calendar.