When back to school sets in, do you ever find yourself with half-filled spiral notebooks and extra sheets of graph paper?  It never seems like enough paper for a new class, but it would be a shame to waste it.  Well here’s a great project to use up that paper and turn it into a fun new notebook just in time for the school year.  

The covers are the fun part about these notebooks, and I always like to search Goodwill’s great selection of books for inspiration.  Sometimes I use funny book covers or old maps, anything is possible.  So check out your local Goodwill and see if you find anything inspiring.  

Whatever you choose, here are the other things you’ll need:

-Ruler, exacto knife, embroidery floss (or floss, or any string)

-Needle

-Awl or pushpins

-Glue

-Decorative paper

To get started, fold your cover in half and cut to the desired size (I used hanging files which are already folded).  I wanted this yellow notebook for making to-do lists, so I made it small and skinny to fit into my purse. 

Once you’ve cut your cover, measure out a stack of lined paper to be a few millimeters shorter on each side than the cover.  Fold the pages in half and mark a dot ¼ in. from the top and bottom of the cover. Mark an odd number of dots between these two dots (about an inch apart). 

Use an awl or thumbtack to make holes through these dots.

Start in the center and sew through the holes until you reach the top hole, then continue sewing, doubling back through the holes until you have a continuous line of thread through all holes.  Tie a knot and clip threads to finish.   

Next, cut a contrasting strip of paper to cover the stiching. Brush this piece of paper with glue and press onto the spine of the book (while book is layed out flat).  Let dry completely before folding in half and using.

Make lots and share them with your friends and family!