DIY Notebooks for Back to School Time
Updated on August 27, 2019
Whether you’re going back to school yourself in September or whether you’re trying to help your kids build the coolest back to school project ever, we’re always advocates for making your own school supplies whenever possible, or at least using your DIY skills to customize the ones you buy! This year, we’ve been feeling particularly enthusiastic about the concept of making our very own notebooks. We’re taking a few classes in the upcoming semester and we have children going back to school, so DIY notebooks of all different kinds of currently scattered to dry on just about every surface of our house!
Are you feeling just as intrigued by the idea of making your very own notebooks as we were, if not more? Check out these 15 fantastic ideas, designs, and tutorials that we’ve come across so far in our search for inspiration and guidance.
1. Personalized lettering notebooks
Perhaps you’ve always been a fan of bright colours but you also have slightly more neat and reserved tastes when it comes to the details you pair those colours with? In that case, we think you’ll get a kick out of the way Craft Remedy made these excitingly bright books that feature personalized lettering in simple black cursive that really stands out!
2. Little scribbler notebooks from scratch
If you’re going to make yourself a notebook (or just about anything else), would you much rather do it from scratch as opposed to just embellishing a pre-made piece that you got elsewhere? In that case, we have a feeling this fantastic DIY scribbler outlined step by step on Brit + Co. might be a little more up your alley! These will look fantastic with any pattern of paper you choose for your covers.
3. Adorable food shaped notebooks
Perhaps you’re convinced that the beauty of making your very own notebooks is that you can make them in any shape you please, so you’re looking for something completely adorable a little more unconventional than what you’ve seen in stores? In that case, we’d be willing to bet that these funny little food shaped kawaii notebooks outlined step by simple steps on Nim C night be a little more up your alley! We can’t get over their tiny smiles and big shiny eyes, no matter which shape you choose to make.
4. DIY unicorn notebook
In our house, with adults and kids alike, the huge way that unicorns are trending in pop culture right now has been a big hit! There’s just something so fun and cheerful about unicorn themed things, so we’re always down to make crafts along the same theme too. We’re sure it’ll come as nor surprise to you, then, that we adored this unicorn shaped notebook from Tikkido more than a little bit!
5. Stunning ombre journals
Did we actually really catch your attention when we started talking about colourful notebooks that are still somehow a little simpler than a lot of what you’ve seen so far but you think you’d prefer to skip the text you saw earlier? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Damask Love made these absolutely stunning ombre gradient effect books in a way that’s thoroughly fun and crafty! Check out their tutorial in more detail to see how they made that perfect fade by scribbling on the cover of a pre-made notebook with pastels and then blended the colour up and down using baby wipes.
6. Hogwarts inspired notebooks
If you’re going to make themed notebooks, are you convinced that your kids would much rather make something that pays tribute to their favourite books rather than a pretty mythical creature? Well, if you’ve ever been Harry Potter fans, then we have a feeling this fantastic tutorial from Polka Dot Chair will give you everything you need! Take a better look to see how they made these awesome Hogwarts house themed notebooks.
7. Hand stitched felt notebook covers
Have your favourite DIY skills actually always been your sewing skills rather than ones that use other kinds of supplies, but that doesn’t sound like something you’d really use to make a paper school need? Well, Life Over Easy actually begs to differ! Their clear tutorial actually teaches you how to make little hand stitched felt notebook covers with heart shaped appliques on the front. These covers slide easily over the cover of any notebook you’ve sized your pieces for. We loved the way they contrasted their thread!
8. DIY gold foiled notebooks
Are you actually still thinking about how much you loved the idea of making a solid brightly coloured notebook but you actually would like to add a little more flare in the form of writing, rather than sticking to solid black like you saw before? Then we’d be willing to bed that this tutorial from Artsy Fartsy Mama that shows you how to add quotes in gold foil cursive might be a little more up your alley!
9. Mermaid sequin notebook
Did we actually pique your interest very well indeed when we started talking about covering notebooks in fabric because you’re an avid sewing enthusiast but you can’t help wishing you could find an option that’s slightly flashier? In that case, we think you simply must take a look at the way Tikkido made this stunning mermaid inspired notebook from flip-sequin fabric! It’s actually a lot easier to do than it looks.
10. Superhero notebooks
If you’ve never tried transforming a notebook using decoupage techniques before then we’re sorry to tell you that you’ve been missing out on something very fun indeed! We’d suggest fixing that right now by making something new for the coming term. If you’re looking for inspiration, here’s an amazing guide from Happy Go Lucky detailing how they covered their books in pieces cut from old notebooks!
11. Duct tape covered notebooks
Have you ever walked into your local crafting store and come across a wonderfully bright and colourful duct tape section full of tapes with all different kinds of patterns and designs? Well, fixing things isn’t all those tapes can be used for! We’re huge fans of the way Ribbons and Glue used graphic duct tape to add some personality to the covers of their notebooks, creating a cool repeated pattern effect.
12. Hand drawn and painted emoji notebook covers
Rather than sewing and fabric work, would you actually tell people that your number one DIY skills are your ability to paint or hand draw? Then we have a feeling you just might be the perfect person to give these awesome hand drawn emoji notebooks featured step by simple step on Smiling Colors a try! Feel free to use their basic techniques guide and make yourself different designs too.
13. Mini fabric covered notebooks
Just in case you’re still thinking about the idea of making fabric covered notebooks but you’re just not sure that either felt or sequins really work for you, here’s another awesome alternative tutorial for your consideration! We love the way Sisters What outlined this simple method for smoothing fun patterned fabric over the covers of their miniature notebooks nice and neatly. We think this is a great way to use up fabric scraps.
14. Marbled heart notebook
Are you actually the kind of crafter who will take just about any opportunity to get essentially as messy as possible with your techniques and supplies? In that case, we have a feeling you (and also your little ones) will really appreciate how this tutorial from Delineate Your Dwelling outlines the steps for creating an awesomely splattered looking marbled notebook with little negative space hearts all across the front amidst the visual texture.
15. Watercolour painted notebook covers
Did we really catch your attention when we started talking about notebooks that have been hand painted and hand drawn but you’re definitely more of a painter? Well, if you’ve ever loved working with watercolours then we’re convinced that this tutorial from Eighteen 25 is the perfect one for you. See how they turned a simple quite painting into a stunning notebook cover in just a colour wash and a few simple cut and pasting steps.
Have you made other lovely little DIY notebooks before that you were very happy with indeed but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!