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.

I hand wax my linen 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.