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Keeping a journal is a wonderful way to clear your mind or help you to destress. Writing each day can also be a great tool for self-improvement or just a way to keep track of important events. You can even document your travel adventures in a special suede journal you made yourself. To source the suede, check out your local thrift store — there are loads of unwanted suede jackets hanging around that can be made into these beautiful journal covers.
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Things You'll Need
Sleeve from a suede jacket or shirt
Sharp scissors
Plate or round edge
Marker
Iron
5-inch x 7-inch plain composition notebook
Step 1
Cut the sleeves off of the jacket, remove the lining and open up the seam of the sleeve so it is flat. Cut a 14 1/2-inch x 7 1/2-inch piece of suede from the sleeve.
Tip
If you made the crossbody bag from a suede jacket, this would be a good project to do with the leftover sleeves.
Step 2
Trace around a plate on one of the short ends of the suede rectangle. Cut along the lines to round one end.
Step 3
Cut a 7 1/2-inch x 10 1/4-inch piece of the iron-on adhesive. Place the shiny side down on the wrong side of the suede. Match the straight edges.
Step 4
Place a pressing cloth between the adhesive sheet and the iron. Hold the iron down (no steam) for a few seconds until the adhesive adheres to the wrong side of the suede. Peel the paper off.
Step 5
Place the front of the journal on the wrong side of the suede with the adhesive. Fold the suede over the journal.
Step 6
Place the pressing cloth between the suede and the iron. Hold the iron and press until the suede adheres to the front of the journal. Turn it over and press until the suede adheres to the back of the journal.
Step 7
To make the strap, cut a 23-inch x 3/8-inch piece of suede. For the tassel, cut a 1 1/2-inch x 4-inch piece of suede. Cut thin fringe and be sure to stop cutting at least 1/4-inch from the top.
Step 8
Run a bead of hot glue along the top. Place the end of the long strap on one end of the fringe. Roll the fringe around the end of the strap.
Step 9
Cut a 1/2-inch slit about 3/4-inch away from the center of the rounded edge of the cover. Thread the end of the long leather strap through the slit. Tie a knot in the end.
Step 10
Wrap the leather strap around the journal and tuck the tassel under the strap to hold it in place.
Write on!
