Tutorial for making a leather B6 Size Traveler's Notebook with Cricut

Hey Everyone,

I have been in Japan...

I know isn't that crazy? It was so exciting and if you follow me on Instagram or on Facebook you probably saw it. It was amazing. I went with friends and toured a bunch of Stationary Stores one was 16 floors of nothing but stationary, art and office supplies. You might have seen that I love planners (I have shared them before) and one type of Planner is called a Traveler's Notebook system. We went to the original Traveler's Notebook factory in Japan.

I designed a Traveler's Notebook cover way back about a year maybe a bit more ago... I was afraid to sew it though... I know so weird for me but I wasn't sure how the sewing machine would do with the two pieces of leather. It turns out it was no problem at all as long as I sewed slowly it worked just fine. Just take a scrap and sew a few stitches first to make sure you have your tension set properly.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

I have a dream of packing up my Easypress2 in it's handy dandy Easypress Tote and carrying it off to a Planner Meet up and making people their own personalized monogrammed TNs (Traveler's Notebooks)...

If you want to make one for yourself follow along below.

Traveler’s Notebook Tutorial

(Links below are affiliate links I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you)

Materials:

Leather 9” by 13” for Notebook (I used burgundy)
Leather 4” by 9” for Spine (I used gold)
3mm Elastic Cord to match
Upholstery Thread
Leather Sewing Machine Needle
A sewing machine that is strong enough to sew two thicknesses of leather
Cricut Iron on vinyl
Cricut Easypress2
Cricut Maker with a deep cut blade.
Awl
Large Eye Tapestry Needle

Optional:

Cricut Brightpad

Cutting file for Cricut can be found here: https://design.cricut.com/#/design/75028010

Instructions:
1. Using the cutting file linked above and your Cricut Maker cut leather notebook cover and spine.

2. Using matching upholstery thread and your leather needle sew a detail stitch all the way around the cover approximately an 1/8th inch from the edge. Sew slowly to avoid breaking your needle. Mark the spine with a water-soluble pen approximately ½” from the scalloped edges.

3. Measure to find the center of the notebook and the center of the spine and align them. Use wonder clips and two scraps of fabric (to keep the clips from marring your leather) to keep the spine from shifting as you sew. Sew on the marked lines to attach the spine to the notebook.

4. Use your preferred color of iron on vinyl to cut out your monogram. I used gold. Don’t forget to mirror your degsin before you cut it, because your design is a letter you don’t want it to be backwards :)

5. Weed the design. I cut two different designs because I wasn’t sure which I liked best. I used my Cricut Brightpad to easily weed these tiny designs.

6. Decide which design you like best and where you want to place it on your notebook.

7. Use the Easypress2 set to 305 (I discovered this worked after trial and error). I used the Easypress pressing sheet between the press and the vinyl backing sheet because I knew I would have to hold it down for a little while to get it to adhere to the leather and I was afraid the backing might melt, although I have never had that happen I didn’t want to take any chances with the leather. I pressed for 30 seconds then checked it.

You should be able to see the grain of the leather in the vinyl if it is pressed well enough. As you see here. Once it is heated enough wait until it cools then peel off the backing.

8. Make a mark approximately ¼” and ½” down from the top and up from the bottom edge in the center of the spine. Either use a small hole punch or an awl to make big enough holes to use your tapestry needle to insert your elastic bands. Go out through the top hole, in through the second hole, out through the third hole, and in through the 4th hole. Pull the loose ends together at the center and tie a double knot. Make sure the elastic is snug to hold your notebook in place.

You will notice that I didn’t center my spine I made a mistake when I measured and once you sew leather you can’t rip it because it shows so I made due. Measure good the first time :)

9. Use the awl to make another hole in the center of the spine to insert an elastic to keep the notebook closed.

10. I waited until my Easypress was cooled down then used it as a weight to hold the spine closed for a few hours to train it to stay closed.

Then just add your notebook or journal and enjoy. This will fit B6 size inserts which can be found in many places. At the link above you can find some pretty floral ones, and here you can find some dot grid ones that are more customizable at Amazon..