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Easy DIY Traveler’s Notebook | Tutorial and Freebie Printable

Hey paper nerd!

Today I want to show you how you can make your own little notebooks for your Midori Traveler’s Notebook /fauxdori.

There’s also a couple of free printable inner pages for you further down. Let’s get crackin’!

papernerd_travelers-notebook_01

What you’ll need

  • Inner pages
    Use paper from a paper pad, blank printer paper, design your own and print or print the free designs below.
  • Cover
    Patterned paper or cardstock is perfect for this!
  • Cutting tool
    I used both my paper trimmer (in the photo) and a cutting mat + scalpel/knife.
  • Bone folder
    Use the end of a ruler or similar, if you don’t have a bone folder
  • Ruler
    A t-square ruler makes getting the angles exactly 90 degrees super easy, so you don’t get a wonky notebook. And if you plan to cut your notebook with a scalpel/knife you’ll want to use a metal ruler to avoid damaging the ruler when you cut.
  • Sewing machine
    Any kind will do. You can also use a long-reach stapler or even just a needle and thread (if you’re patient and don’t mind the handmade look).
  • Pen

papernerd_travelers-notebook_02

How to make your notebook

First things first. Let’s make some inner pages for your notebook!

Free printable notebook pages

  • Notebook Pages – Prints on A4 Paper(zipped PDFs)
  • Notebook Pages – Prints on Letter Paper (zipped PDFs)

Nice to know about the printable notebook pages

  • The page designs are ruled, dot grid and squared. Mix and match as you like!
  • The pages can be printed on A4 or Letter sized paper.
  • The printed pages measure 13 x 21 cm or 5 x 8.25 inches when cut down. This is known as ‘Cahier Size’ and is the same size as the ‘Large’ size Moleskine Cahiers/Journals and Notebooks.
  • Pages can also be cut down to the original Midori Traveler’s Notebook size, 11 x 21 cm or 4.33 x 8.25 inches – just trim a little bit more off at the end step.

The page designs are meant to be printed on both sides of the paper. I have a little guide to how you print on both sides but mainly just check the boxes like in the photo below where the arrow is pointing.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_print-on-both-sides

Once you’ve printed a little stack of inner pages (6-10 sheets of paper should be fine) it’s time to score them down the center (14.8 cm in on A4 paper or 5.5 inches in on Letter paper). I use my trimmer and bone folder for this.

Don’t worry about trimming down the width of the notebook yet. We’ll trim it at the end when the notebook is assembled.

Note for Letter sized prints: You need to trim off the bottom bit of the pages where the dashed line is before scoring! The height of the page must be 21 cm or 8.25 inches.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_03

Then you take your cover material and cut it down to the right height. Again, don’t worry about the width of the cover yet. Just make sure you cut the height to 21 cm or 8.25 inches.

Also, score the cover down the center to make the spine of the notebook.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_04

This next step is optional but it really helps with keeping your pages and cover neatly stacked and the fold/spine lined up for assembly.

Line the fold/spine of your inner pages and cover up and clip one or two bulldog clips on the stack to keep it together. Now the pages won’t shift as easily during assembly.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_05

I’m sewing my notebook together on my trusty IKEA sewing machine. I put the stitch setting on C (large dashes). In never touch the tension dial ’cause to be honest it’s usually fine where it is and I pretty much only ever sew on paper, not fabric.

This tutorial shows how to machine stitch the notebook together but you can also use a long-reach stapler if you have one. In fact stapling is much easier but I want to show this method as I’m guessing more paper nerds have a sewing machine (or access to one).

papernerd_travelers-notebook_06

With the cover facing up, start sewing carefully near the start of the spine. Start a few millimeters in so you don’t rip the edge.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_07

See how nice this looks! :) Keep going.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_08

When you’ve reached the end of the spine you may remove your notebook from the machine and make sure to leave enough thread so you can tie a knot in a minute. We don’t want this binding to unravel.

It’s really hard to photography this but I’ve tried: Pull the thread on the inside of your notebook so that the end thread on the outside comes through to the inside. See below how the outside thread is looped around the inside thread. Pull on the loop so both threads are now on the inside and tie a tiny double knot.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_09

Cut off the thread ends. Nice and neat! You can hardly tell there’s a knot.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_10

Now fold the notebook closed and give it a good rubbing with the bone folder to make it lie flat.

It’s starting to look like a notebook!

papernerd_travelers-notebook_11

Now it’s time to trim off the sides. If you’re making a Cahier sized notebook, make a mark at 13 cm or 5 inches.

If you’re making a standard Midori sized notebook, make a mark at 11 cm or 4.33 inches.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_12

The t-square is so handy for this! Easy as pie.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_13

You can totally use your paper trimmer to cut down the pages of the notebook but definitely recommend using a scalpel/knife, metal ruler and cutting mat instead for a cleaner cut.

Lay down your metal ruler and start cutting down the marked edge. Be sure to keep the notebook closed when trimming regardless of what method you use or the edge will look super uneven when the notebook is closed!

Don’t put a lot of force into cutting the pages. You may accidentally rip the paper and there’s no way you’ll cut through the entire stack at once anyway. Just take your time and hold the ruler firmly in place so it doesn’t shift.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_14

Ah, beautiful. A nice clean and straight edge.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_15

You did it! Time to enjoy your finished notebook and add it to your Midori/fauxdori.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_16

I hope you liked this very thorough and photo heavy tutorial. Personally, when I’m trying something completely new I love having photos of every step so I don’t get lost, and of course I want to provide that to you also.

papernerd_travelers-notebook_17

Have fun making notebooks! :) See you soon.

xo Nina

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  1. Havok says

    December 19, 2014 at 20:43

    Thank you so much for doing this post! I’ve started contemplating getting a midori or making my own, but knew I would need to be making my own booklets (less outward costs the better!) and this is a perfectly perfect tutorial! And thank you so much for the page files as well, I’ve noticed a lot of instructions and files involve using only the actual midori sized pages, but those seem a bit small to me! I cannot wait to try this out!
    I have seen a few videos on this process that involve “squishing” the booklets, I guess you would say, so as to make sure that the folds stay and it won’t start to come open on its own. Is this something that you would recommend, or have you not had an issue with just using the bone folder on the fold?

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      December 26, 2014 at 17:34

      Hi Havok! :)

      I’m happy you’re enjoying the tutorial and printables. ^_^

      Personally I can’t see the need for pressing/squashing the notebooks. Using the bone folder has been plenty fine for me – even for those with a larger amount of pages.

      Hope this helps. :) Happy holidays!

      xo Nina

      Reply
      • Havok says

        December 26, 2014 at 17:44

        Thanks so much! I’m actually going to be making a few of these today so this is great to know! I know there is a bone folder around here somewhere, ha!!
        Happy Holidays to you as well!!

        Reply
  2. princesspalaka says

    January 1, 2015 at 17:03

    thank you so much! i have a new midori notebook with a lovely japanese paper cover, all thanks to you! :D
    you made this a truly happy new year for me :D

    Reply
  3. lemondedis says

    January 16, 2015 at 13:08

    thank you so much ! i shared this here : http://fr.pinterest.com/lemondedis/la-petite-papeterie-freebies-diy/

    Reply
  4. Danielle says

    January 30, 2015 at 22:41

    Thanks! I loved the tutorial! What’s the best way to attach a leather cover?

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      February 10, 2015 at 21:46

      Hi Danielle! I’m happy you enjoyed the tutorial. :)

      Do you mean attaching a leather cover to the notebook itself or do you mean how to put the notebooks in the fauxdori cover?

      I’m assuming you mean the latter. The Midori/fauxdori has elastic bands running down the inside of the spine. That’s where you slide the booklets in. It’s really hard to describe, so instead here are some photos of how it works: http://en.tueymeaw.com/tag/tueydori/

      Hope this makes sense. :) Have a lovely day!

      xo Nina

      Reply
  5. Emily @EncouragedOverCoffee says

    March 11, 2015 at 11:30

    This is great! I didn’t do exactly as you did, and I laminated the covers before stitching them-but this was perfect! What a great idea. Why waste money ordering inserts when I can make my own?? THANKS!

    Reply
  6. Dida says

    April 5, 2015 at 04:07

    Hello Nina I love your tutorial! Thank you so much! This is really helpful for a beginner like me :) Keep up the good work XOXO

    Reply
  7. Mette says

    April 6, 2015 at 18:15

    Kære Nina. Jeg har lige fundet din blog via Pinterest og hurra for det!! Jeg er nybagt Midori ejer og sad og surfede efter inspiration til selv at lave inserts. Jeg må sige, at dine er betydelig mere interessante end dem, jeg selv har investeret i. Tak for inspirationen -jeg glæder mig til at følge din blog.

    Reply
  8. Naomi says

    April 23, 2015 at 12:15

    Kia ora Nina. thank you for this wonderful tutorial. I am amazed at the amount of tutorials and information available to newbies like me to the world of MTN and bullet journaling, I am currently waiting for my “BLUE” MTN and seriously cannot wait to get started organising my working day. Meanwhile I intend to make myself some booklets as the MTN doesn’t come with any.
    thank you again for your generosity
    kind regards
    Naomi

    Reply
  9. kelly says

    June 5, 2015 at 18:26

    thank you so much for this tutorial done the good, old-fashioned way! yay for a tutorial that is NOT A VIDEO!

    Reply
  10. kelly says

    June 5, 2015 at 18:26

    thank you so much for this tutorial done the good, old-fashioned way! yay for a tutorial that is NOT A VIDEO!

    Reply
  11. Yara says

    June 5, 2015 at 23:07

    Thanks for this tutorial! I’m really enjoying making notebooks for myself & friends.

    Reply
  12. Kathryn says

    June 24, 2015 at 17:49

    Thank you for the excellent tutorial and sharing the download for the pages. Exactly what I was looking for!

    Reply
  13. iHanna says

    July 19, 2015 at 12:32

    Pretty tutorial. Thank you for the dowoad, it’s awesome!

    Reply
  14. Jennifer says

    July 24, 2015 at 04:39

    What a beautiful post! I’ve never thought of sewing paper before, but plan on giving this a try :)

    Reply
  15. Amber says

    August 31, 2015 at 21:28

    Thank you for this tutorial, it looks so easy when you see all these pictures :)
    I was just wondering how many pages you can stitch without the needle of your sewing machine breaking down?
    Mine is very sensitive and I’m not sure wether it will be able to stitch paper.
    Thanks again for the tutorial and downloads!

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      September 1, 2015 at 10:14

      Hi Amber! I’d say you could stitch through maybe 10 sheets of printer paper and a cardstock cover with most machines. I have a super cheapo sewing machine from IKEA and it’s held up so far. A great little trick to make sure you don’t break any needles is to use the handwheel instead of the pedal so you can go slowly and it will look just as nice. Another thing that really helps make the paper easier to sew through is scoring it down the middle before you sew. Scor on both sides to make it even more pliable and break down the fibers in the paper a bit. I hope this helps! :) Thanks for the kind words and good luck with your notebook making! :D xo Nina

      Reply
  16. Ka says

    November 29, 2015 at 01:02

    Thanks you so much for this tutorial !
    Pictures are very usefull (and pretty) :)
    It makes me crazy, I want to make notebook from every sheet of paper i see ! :D

    Reply
  17. Claudia says

    January 4, 2016 at 08:12

    I love this DIY you made!
    Great job! I have one question, when it comes to sewing the paper, what size neddle did you use? Or does it matter?

    Reply
  18. Rod Salm says

    August 23, 2016 at 04:05

    Nice, I may have to bug my wife to fire up her sewing machine for me. This tutorial will help me convince her that it won’t destroy her machine.

    Ever since Chris at http://www.altguild.com gifted me one of his custom covers I’ve been getting more and more into the notion of making my own inserts. That’s beyond the pyrography I have been doing. But this will help me take my TN fascination to the next level.

    Thanks for the details!

    Reply
  19. Rod Salm says

    August 23, 2016 at 04:07

    Ever since Chris at http://www.altguild.com sent me my first cover, I’ve contemplated making my own inserts, this is just gold on the process. I might even be able to convince my wife to let me use her sewing machine now.

    Thanks,
    Rod Salm

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      September 1, 2016 at 13:56

      You should totally make your own inserts! They don’t have to be this girly at all, haha. :) Just remember to go slow on the sewing machine at first. Maybe go the first inch just with the manual handle and not the foot pedal, just to get a feel for how smooth it comes through.

      Have fun making and good luck! :)

      xo Nina

      Reply
  20. Luci says

    September 16, 2016 at 06:43

    Great tutorial! However, I can’t seem to download the printable pages to my iPad. I’ve tried both saving/copying to Evernote and saving to Dropbox. Can you help?

    Reply
  21. Marcela says

    December 1, 2016 at 16:21

    Are amazing

    Reply
  22. Dawn says

    December 9, 2016 at 01:20

    I love you for this! :)

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      December 15, 2016 at 11:23

      Aww thank you, Dawn! :)

      Reply
  23. Nick says

    December 19, 2016 at 04:58

    I just bought a color WP journal and have been trying to figure out making my own inserts (because I bought the only package of ones I liked at the craft store and seriously I have so much scrapbooking paper… Might have to try this to see how I like making them, looks so easy.

    Reply
  24. gem says

    January 13, 2017 at 20:16

    Thank you!!! I really want to make a notebook for myself and this tutorial is so helpful <3

    Reply
  25. Kaila says

    March 17, 2017 at 18:31

    Hello! I realize this is an old post.. I’m just getting started with my traveler’s notebook and want to make my own inserts. I’ve purchased a few, but I was wondering if you have a recommendation for the weight of the cover? I’ve been looking at several options, but I’m not sure what most people use or what would be best. Thank you so much for this tutorial!! I cannot wait to make my notebooks!

    Reply
  26. Laura says

    May 14, 2017 at 20:17

    Thank you for the pdfs too, that was really nice, especially to have in both sizes.

    Reply
  27. Kimberly Stone says

    July 1, 2017 at 23:23

    I splurged on a Chic Sparrow but knew I would want to make my own inserts. I’m making 4: Information (keep addresses, numbers, passwords!), Inspiration (photos, scripture, encouragement), Introspection (dear diary!), and In Case (just blank paper, because you always need some.)

    I don’t have a sewing machine. Can you go to a sewing store and use one for a few minutes? I don’t want to use staples. I hate staples.

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      July 5, 2017 at 13:37

      Hi Kimberly

      Congrats on your Chic Sparrow. :D What a treat! And I love that you have planned out all your inserts. It’s gonna be beautiful, I can tell.

      About lending a sewing machine in a shop, I’m not sure what the policy on that would be. If shops do that, I don’t think they would let you sew on paper, to be quite honest. It’s not the intended use of a sewing machine and I don’t think they’d wanna risk breaking it.

      I live near a community crafting place that has a sewing workshop where people can rent a desk and a machine by the hour. Maybe you have a similar place nearby where you could rent a machine? Other than that I suggest maybe borrowing from family or a friend. I currently have my mother’s sewing machine since mine broke and she took pity on me, haha. :)

      I hope you find the solution you’re looking for!

      xo Nina

      Reply
  28. Natalie says

    July 2, 2017 at 05:28

    Fantastic tutorial! Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      July 5, 2017 at 13:33

      Thank you, Natalie. :) I’m happy you found it useful! xo Nina

      Reply
  29. Mari says

    September 5, 2017 at 20:27

    Thank you for the detailed tutorial with beautiful pictures showing everything needed! Didn’t think of using my sewing machine! Will have to give it a try.. Keep up the good work

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      October 31, 2017 at 19:24

      Thank you so much for your sweet comment. :) Have fun making notebooks!
      xo Nina

      Reply
  30. lillie says

    January 20, 2018 at 05:36

    Thank you for sharing this printable.

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      January 23, 2018 at 12:32

      You’re welcome! Enjoy, Lillie :D

      Reply
  31. Guillermo B Tansengco says

    January 28, 2018 at 05:37

    Thank You! for a wonderful thing to make a beautiful travel notebook, and all printable cover for the notebook it self…

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      January 30, 2018 at 22:18

      You’re so welcome. Enjoy! and happy making. :D

      xo Nina

      Reply
  32. Darlene says

    February 16, 2018 at 21:24

    Great tutorial. Love the pictures for step-by-step. I get lost, too. If I might make a suggestion. I have just one sewing machine, which I use for fabric, and I haven’t looked for something inexpensive for paper. If one were to use their sewing machine, make sure they use a paper-dedicated needle. There is nothing worse that paper dulling a needle or anything sharp.

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      February 18, 2018 at 16:34

      That’s a great tip, Darlene! :) Thank you. I don’t sew a whole lot so it didn’t occur to me.

      xo Nina

      Reply
  33. Fay Dopking says

    May 8, 2018 at 21:19

    Gee but I can’t thank you enough for this full length tutorial! I am making my first notebook but am a long time stamper and scrapbooker – not quite the same process – LOL! I wanted a custom interior and didn’t want to have to buy my inserts. Again, thank you for all the time it took you do this just to share with anyone in need, like me! It is so appreciated.

    Reply
  34. Laura Kuhn says

    November 3, 2018 at 01:23

    I know this is an older post, but I Pinned it long ago and still come back to it when I misplace the files. I’m franken-planning a mini Happy Planner and wanted a grid on the back of my week on one page layout that I created. This file was perfect! I also printed some double-sided, as well as the lined and dot grid just in case ;) Also, I printed some in gray scale; I love the option of having the blue or gray option!

    Reply

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