DIY: Make your own leather notebook cover, health record cover or book cover

VERSION N°1 - SIMPLE AND ELEGANT SEAMLESS

 

SUPPLIES IN DETAIL:

To complete this tutorial, you will need:

• 1 piece of leather, rather firm, approximately 1.4 mm thick.
  Size estimate: a 20 x 30 cm piece for an A6 notebook, a 30 x 40 cm piece for an A5 notebook. A full leather hide for an A4 notebook (approx. 0.40 m2).
• 1 hide of VELVET soft pigskin suede (approx. 0.30 m2).
• 1.5m of elastic cord - Diameter 1.5 mm or 1.9 mm.
• 1 clip for leather loop.
• Neoprene glue
  
  OPTIONAL: Tokonole leather finishing gum OR edge finish.

 

And the following equipment:

• 1 utility knife
• 1 corner template
• 1 pressure roller
• 1 round hole punch Ø 2 mm and Ø 3 mm

Little extras

Using the 4 elastics on the inside, you can slide in several notebooks, a passport, or even add our transparent card holder (for sale on our site - Ref. 1442_00)! You can also personalize your leather with a stamp or add a piece of tricolor ribbon.

Video

1. Pattern making

Calculating dimensions:
Take the dimensions of the notebook(s) to be protected, then calculate the leather dimensions as follows:

• Height: take the height of the largest notebook and add at least 1 cm (i.e., 0.5 cm margin at the top and bottom).
• Width: add twice the width of the widest notebook, twice the total thickness of the notebooks, then add 7 cm.

We recommend doing a test before proceeding to the final cut.

• For an A6 format:

Example for a single 10.5 × 14.8 cm notebook that is 1 cm thick:

• Height: 14.8 + 1 = 15.8 cm
• Width: 10.5 + 10.5 + 1 + 1 + 7 = 30 cm

The extra 7 cm includes the inner return (small flap) of about 6 cm.

Our cut piece therefore measures 15.8 cm x 30 cm. This version fits into a 20 x 30 cm leather piece.

SMALL LEATHER TAB (on the front of the notebook).
There is also a second piece measuring 9 x 2 cm to be cut from the leather scraps.

For an A5 format:

Our notebook is 14.8 x 21 cm and 1 cm thick.
For height: add 1 cm margin (total height 22 cm).
For width: 39 cm will be needed (14.8 + 14.8 + 1 + 1 + 7 = 39 cm). These 39 cm include the inner return (small flap) of about 6.5 cm.

Our cut piece therefore measures 22 cm x 40 cm. This version fits into a 30 x 40 cm leather piece.

SMALL LEATHER TAB (on the front of the notebook).
There is also a second piece measuring 9 x 2 cm to be cut from the leather scraps.

For an A4 format:
Our notebook is 21 x 29.7 cm and 1 cm thick.
For height: add 1 cm margin (total height 31 cm).
For width: 51 cm will be needed (21 + 21 + 1 + 1 + 7 = 51 cm). These 51 cm include the inner return (small flap) of about 6.5 cm.

Our cut piece therefore measures 31 cm x 51 cm. This version fits into a leather hide of approximately 0.40 m2.

SMALL LEATHER TAB (on the front of the notebook).
There is also a second piece measuring 9 x 2 cm to be cut from the leather scraps.

 

For the health record book and paperback book we preferred version No. 2 with sewing (further down in the blog post), but you can very well make a health record cover or book cover without sewing (version No. 1).

• For a paperback book cover (11x18 cm and about 350 pages - i.e., 2 cm thick) you will need a piece of approximately 19 x 35 cm and a 2 x 13 cm tab.
• For a health record book cover (15 x 21 cm and about 104 pages - i.e., 0.7 mm thick) you will need a piece of approximately 22 x 40 cm and a 2 x 9 cm tab.

2. Cut the leather

Using a utility knife (and a new blade), cut the main rectangle according to the calculated dimensions. Then, also cut the tab from the remaining scraps.

3. OPTION: nourish the leather

If you choose natural vegetable-tanned leather, as in our A6 notebook example, we recommend nourishing the leather with neatsfoot oil. The oil will soften the leather, provide a slight layer of protection, and give it a slightly darker shade.

If your leather is mineral-tanned or has already been finished, we suggest skipping this step.

4. Line the leather with pigskin suede

Cut a piece slightly larger than the main piece from the pigskin suede hide. Apply contact adhesive to the flesh side of the suede and the flesh side of the main leather piece. Wait a few moments for the glue to set, then laminate them together.

Flatten the glued area using a pressure roller.

 

5. Trim the excess leather

Trim the excess pigskin suede: cut flush using a rotary cutter.

6. Round the corners

Using a template (paper or plexiglass), round the corners of the main piece and the tab. Here, we used 8 mm corners.

 

7. OPTION: treat the edges

Optionally (for a more finished look), you can treat the leather edges.

For vegetable-tanned leather:
- Bevel the leather edges.

- Sand the edges with an abrasive sponge or sanding block (always in the same direction).

- Apply Tokonole (finishing gum) to the edge and rub briskly with a cotton cloth or a burnishing tool.

For mineral-tanned leather: treat the edges with an edge finish (paint).

SEE THE GUIDE >

8. Mark the folds

Take the notebook and position it inside the piece of leather: leave about a 5 mm margin all around the notebook. Mark the folds where you want to close the notebook. Use a burnishing tool if necessary.

 

9. Attach the elastic

Close the notebook cover and mark a point in the center of the back of the cover.

Punch a hole Ø 3 mm to 4 mm (depending on the diameter of the elastic) at this location.

Mark the positions for the clip prongs on either side of the hole.

Then make 2/3 mm slots at the markings with a utility knife.

Take the tab and punch a Ø 2 mm hole at each end of it.

Take an elastic of about 40 cm and pass it through the holes at the ends of the leather tab.

Fold the elastic in half and pass it through the Ø 3/4 mm hole, ensuring that both ends come out on the inside of the notebook.

Tie a loose knot and check the size by closing the notebook. Adjust the length of the elastic and tie a secure knot.

 

Insert the clip into the previously made slots, then bend the prongs of the clip over, taking care to trap the elastic underneath.

Trim the excess elastic.

 

10. Install the middle elastics

On the spine of the notebook: mark a first point 1 cm from the edge, then a second 2 cm from the edge. Do the same for the bottom of the notebook: a first point 1 cm from the edge and a second 2 cm from the edge.

 

Punch holes of Ø 3 mm or Ø 4 mm at these locations (depending on the diameter of the elastic). Option: install eyelets.

 

Take 40 cm of elastic. Pass the elastic through the first hole (from the inside), then through the second hole. Go to the third hole and come back out through the last hole. Bring the two ends of the elastic together and tie a double knot.

 

Add several elastic threads depending on the number of items to be fixed in the notebook (here we have used 2 elastic bands of 40 cm). Be mindful of the elastic diameter.

 

11. OPTION: personalization

Please note that cold stamping is only possible on vegetable-tanned leather.

Personalize the notebook with a stamp either on the tab or directly on the leather.

SEE THE LEATHER STAMPING GUIDE >

Here, we stamped a small heart with a stamping tool (after evenly dampening the leather).

 

You're done!

 

Here is the result for an A5 notebook and leather from our ongoing SAUVAGE range: 

 

 

 

 

 

VERSION N°2 - WITH STITCHED FLAPS

This version allows you to tuck notebook/book covers or health record covers into the flaps. This version is sewn by hand or with a sewing machine.

Book Cover Video

Health Record Cover Video

Required materials

• 1 piece of leather approx. 1.2 mm/1.3 mm thick, semi-soft/semi-firm - Minimum dimensions for a health record or paperback: 30 x 40 cm. For our examples, we selected leathers from the SATINATO and SATINLYS ranges.
• 1.5m of elastic cord - 1.5 mm diameter
• 1 clip for a leather loop

And the following equipment:

• 1 cutter
• 1 round punch of Ø 3 mm
• Machine or hand sewing thread

 

1. Pattern making

Calculating dimensions:

Height: notebook/book height + 1.4 cm (+7 mm at the top + 7 mm at the bottom).
Width: (notebook width × 2) + notebook thickness + 13 cm for the flap.

Example for a health record:
The health record measures 15 x 21 cm and is 0.7 mm thick.
For the height: 21 + 0.7 + 0.7 = 22.4 cm
For the width: 15 + 15 + 0.7 + 13 = 44 cm.
Our rectangle of leather therefore measures 22.4 cm x 44 cm. This version fits just barely into our 30 x 40 cm pieces (you can reduce the size of the flaps or select a hide of approximately 0.40 m2).

SMALL LEATHER TAB (on the front of the notebook).
There is also a second 9 x 2 cm piece to be cut from the leather scraps.

Example for a 350-page paperback:
The book measures 11 x 18 cm and is 2 mm thick.
For the height: 18 + 0.7 + 0.7 = 19.4 cm
For the width: 11 + 11 + 2 + 13 = 37 cm

Our rectangle of leather therefore measures 19.4 cm x 37 cm. This version fits into our 30 x 40 cm pieces.

SMALL LEATHER TAB (on the front of the notebook).
There is also a second 13 x 2 cm piece to be cut from the leather scraps.

2. Cutting the leather

Cut out the main rectangle according to the calculated dimensions, then cut the tab from the remaining scraps.

 

3. Forming the flaps

Mark two reference points: one at 6 cm and another at 12 cm, at each end of the main piece. Be sure to verify that the length of the flaps is correct by positioning the book or notebook before gluing.

Form the creases using a folding bone and a ruler / square.

 

Apply contact glue to the 6 cm fold and to the next 6 cm, ensuring there is glue on both surfaces to be joined.

 

Form the flap by folding the leather over approximately 6 cm on each side.

 

4. Sewing the lengths

Sew the top and bottom lengths of the notebook cover at a maximum of 3/4 mm from the edge.

Also do a decorative stitch all around the tab at 3/4 mm from the edge. This tab can be doubled (leather on each side) for a little more structure.

 

5. Attaching the elastic

Close the notebook or book cover, then mark a point in the center of the spine.

Punch a hole of Ø 3 mm at this location.

Mark the position for the clip prongs on each side of the Ø 3 mm hole.

Then make 2/3 mm slits at the marks using a cutter.

Take the tab and punch a hole of Ø 2 mm at each end.

Take an elastic band of about 40 cm and pass it through the holes at the ends of the leather tab.

Fold the elastic in half, then pass it through the back hole, ensuring that both ends come out inside the notebook.

Insert the notebook/book into the cover. Tie a loose knot at the end of the elastic and check the size by closing the notebook. Adjust the size of the elastic and tie a tight knot.

Insert the clip into the slits made earlier, then fold the prongs over while trapping the elastic underneath.

 

Cut the excess elastic.

 

6. Inserting the center elastic

On the spine of the notebook: mark a first point 1 cm from the edge, then a second 2 cm from the edge. Do the same for the bottom of the notebook: a first 1 cm from the edge and a second 2 cm from the edge.

Punch holes of Ø 3 mm at these locations.

Take 40 cm of elastic. Pass the elastic through the first hole (from the inside), then through the second hole. Go to the third hole and come back out through the last hole. Bring the two ends of the elastic together and tie a double knot.

Add more elastic cords depending on the number of items you want to attach inside the notebook (in our examples, we used 2 elastics of 40 cm).

11. OPTION: personalization

Personalize the notebook with stamping, either on the tab or on a small piece of vegetable-tanned leather.

SEE THE LEATHER STAMPING GUIDE >

To be able to "carry" a health insurance card, we slid a transparent card holder into our notebook covers:

You're finished!