Sketchbook and Moleskine Test Notebook

This instructable explains how to make quick and neat sketchbook that's the same size as a large Moleskine Notebook.

I've read in several places about people enjoying using Moleskines, but since I'm a world class cheapo, I didn't want to pay $12+ for just a notebook.

I decided to create a thin notebook to the dimensions of a Moleskine with only a few pages. This way I could test it out for a week to see if I would actually use it.

Step 1 Gather Your Supplies

For this instructable you will only need a few, very cheap materials. Most of them (if not all) you can find for free.

You will need:

-Five sheets of standard paper
-One sheet of paper for your notebook cover
-A stapler
-Scissors
-A ruler
-A pencil

Comments

[thomasthetankengine]

These are my two...the brown/maroon one is the one in this instructable, and the black one with the white pen holder is my true awesome Moleskine. If youre considering buying a real one, dont hesitate...They are awesome!!!

[bigpinecone]

so what exactly is a moleskin notebook? sorry if that sounds stupid... otherwise good 'ible! though i learned most of this in elementary school...

[CitrusLemon409]

A Moleskine notebook is a snaz or chic item which is basically a notebook, coming in various sizes and paper configurations. Many people use them as you would a favourite pen; still a pen, but nevertheless special.

As far as I know it has no discernible relationship to moleskin, perhaps they were originally bound in it.

Also, hi. First post. I plan to make an Instructable soon. Any requests? I think there's some guys already working on the lead-to-gold chemical reaction, soo...

[phant0m_sp00f3ra]

They come binded, so the can be open fully, and they have a thicker and acid free paper, wich make them ideal for Fountain pen, other than that just a hipster item. (I'm a Moleskine user tho).

[vilxes91]

Hello! Here is an alternative if you don't have a large enough stapler: Put all the sheets over foam, open your stapler (180º) and push the stapler head strong against the paper. The staple would have come through the sheets, and you only have to bend the two parts of it against the paper. Oops, I haven't explained it very well, damn English!

[Superchef]

Good idea! I'll have to try that out the next time I make one.

[elderbear]

Some words about the corner rounding process for those of us who do software and aren't real handy with the hardware.

[davidw]

To make nice looking rounded corners, there is a mechanical "punch" you can get at Michaels, Walmart, craft stores, scrapbooking stores etc. with different radii ( roundness). You would stick the corner of the page in the punch and push down like a hole punch and it will create the curve for you.

[wolfmanthe]

there's a more advanced and in depth tutorial here www.michaelshannon.us/makeabook

[scmtngirl]

You know, I purchased the highly-acclaimed Moleskine notebook and promptly fell in love with it and was excited about filling its pages with my to-do lists, thoughts, musings, etc, only to have the binding fall apart on me after only a few months of use. Very disappointed. I intend to make your version next time instead. Thanks. :)

[trebuchet03]

I have the polar opposite review...My staple bound mini notebooks fell apart within weeks - my moleskine's stitch binding is still together :/ I kinda don't like the finite-ness of any bound writing media though - my projects just don't have that sort of closure :p Just thought I'd throw my yin at your yang :) Or visa versa :p

[Weissensteinburg]

I hope you don't expect paper and staples to last longer?