Introduction: · JOURNAL NECKLACE ·
Many times I wish I had a sketch book with me, so I did a journal necklace.
It is easy to do and doesn't require much tools, and you need just scrap materials.
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Step 1: WHAT YOU NEED
Material:
-scrap leather;
-scrap paper;
-waxed linen cord.
Tools:
-scissors;
-leather awl;
-needle;
-marker;
-hammer and leather 2 mm punch (optional).
Step 2: PATTERN
So... this is the super professional pattern I made for it:
The leather, the paper, and the pencil holder. Plus you need 3 strings: two for the necklace straps, and one for closing the journal.
My pages are 9 x 7 cm (the single page);
the piece of leather for the folder is about 26,5 x 7,5 cm;
the pencil holder is 3,5 x 2,5 cm.
Every mesure can variate, depending on how many paged you want, and how big is you pencil.
And off course, on how big you like your journal to be.
Step 3: CUT THE PAPER
Cut the scrap paper in 17,5 x 7 cm rectangles.
I did about 45 pieces.
I use all kinds of scrap paper.
Step 4: FOLD IN BOOKLETS
Fold in half each pieces and form some booklet.
I made 3, of 15 pages each.
Step 5: MAKE HOLES IN THE PAGES
Mark 4 holes in the edge of the pages.
With the awl (mine is made by an old huge needle and a stick of hard wood) poke holes where you marked.
Step 6: CUT THE FOLDER
Cut the folder of the journal.
Mine is 26,5 x 7,5 cm. It should be slightly bigger than you pages, to hold them well.
One side is flat, the other rounded or pointy, as you like it.
Step 7: MAKE HOLES IN THE LEATHER
Mark the places where the holes of the paper should go
With the awl make holes where you marked.
Step 8: SAW
Saw the pages to the folder with the waxed cord.
And at this point (after I already did it and thinking back), I will suggest also to add a sturdy folder between the pages and the leather, as you can see in the step 7 of my tutorial leather journal.
Step 9: THE CLOSING STRAP
Cut a long stripe of leather, and stitch it to the rounded part of the folder.
It should give at least 1 1/2 turn (2 better) around you journal.
You can also place a button instead.
Step 10: PENCIL HOLDER
Cut a little square of leather, punch some holes on the sides, and stitch it to the side of the leather folder.
Step 11: NECKLACE STRAPS
Cut 2 long string of leather.
Poke some holes with the leather punch on the side of the folder , and secure the leather straps with a knot (see photos). You can also stitch them in place instead.
Make a knot at the end of the straps.
Step 12: DONE
You are done.
Now you have your journal necklace to bring with you all over the place!
Here is some of the leather journals I sell.
Step 13: USE IT
So ones is on your neck, you can just use it without taking it out.
>> Make sure you make the necklace strap long enough, and to follow the pattern well, so it open the right way <<