DIY Traveler's Notebook

A few days ago I bought a Midori Traveler's Notebook, I love it!  The design is so simple, I managed to make a couple of copies today in under an hour.  Not quite the elegance of the Midori but it's a cheap alternative.  I would have loved to of used real leather, but finding 2mm thick leather..... well let me tell you, it would be easier searching for gold!

First a trip to Hobbycraft to buy some Pleather (artificial leather).  It cost approx £3 for half a metre and I got some shearing elastic for £2.  I won't do a full tutorial of how I put it together, it's pretty straight forward.   I cut a long piece of Pleather and folded it in half, glued it together then with a awl and hammer added some holes in the right places.  You may notice though, on this one, I put the middle fastening elastic on what will be the spine (as opposed to the back cover which Midori do.)

I also put in four lengths of elastic, so I can add more note booklets. 

The fastening knot at the bottom, I later added a few decorative beads.

My homemade inserts....Tutorial is here

The first one I made I just used the Pleather, the second one, I added a piece of card before folding it, to give it some firmness.  They are not as good as the real thing, but if you are on a budget and don't want to spend £40 on the Midori cover, then have a go at making your own.  It really is easy and for a fiver, I can easy got another 2 larger notebooks out the Pleather I have left.  Or, if by some miracle you find 2mm leather, make a better one!

Oh and I made this a little larger than the original Midori Traveler's Notebook because I wanted to add a few more booklets and some inserts from My Life All In One Place.  If you haven't read Ray's blog, check it out they are some amazing tutorials on there.


Hope you enjoy, feel free to comment. x


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