Recycled Jeans Covered Journal

This DIY fabric book cover is an excellent use for old jeans!

Keeping a journal can have both professional and personal value. On a professional level, journal entries can help keep one’s thoughts organized, and help one to plan for upcoming events or meetings. On a personal level, keeping a journal is a great way of dealing with a day’s stress. It can be a wonderful tool for dealing with spiritual and emotional matters, and as a crafter or artist, can help to boost one’s creativity. Keeping a regular journal can make it easier to find solutions to everyday problems, and can also be a great exercise in creative writing.

Part of journaling though is to use a book that will lead to inspired writing. There is absolutely no fun in using a journal that is not decorated in some way.

This craft will show you how to make your own journal. Using a leg cut from an old pair of jeans, basic craft embellishments and a few minutes, you can turn an ordinary manuscript book into a journal that will get your creative juices flowing.

The craft can easily be adjusted to suit your personal style and taste.

Estimated CostUnder $10

Time to CompleteIn an evening

MaterialsFabric, Recycled Materials

Primary TechniqueGeneral Crafts

Easy

Project TypeMake a Project

Materials List

A5 lined manuscript book
Three A5 sized pieces of white cardstock
One leg cut from an old pair of jeans
Three flowers cut from leftover white embroidered net lace fabric
Eleven 10mm multifaceted clear round rhinestones
Giotto décor textile pens: neon pink and yellow
Sellotape
Quick-drying craft glue (such as Bostik Clear)
Standard scissors

Instructions

Cut off the inner seam of the leg of the jeans, and glue the outer seam of the leg to the spine of the book. Allow to dry before continuing with the next step.
Cut the piece of denim smaller, so that is it about 1.2” bigger than the book all the way around.
Using glue to help keep the denim in place, neatly cover the book with the denim. Use sellotape to help secure the denim on the inside of the front and back covers. To allow a perfect fit, you will have to cut a rectangle out of the denim across the top and bottom of the spine. Spread glue across the cuts so that the denim will not unravel and allow to dry.
Cut one A5 sized piece of white cardstock slightly smaller, and glue it to the inside of the front cover to hide the fabric edges. Cut a second piece slightly smaller and glue it to inside of the back cover.
Glue each flower and a bit of the surrounding net fabric on to the third piece of white cardstock.
Use the textile pens to highlight certain areas of the flowers.
Next, cut the flowers out and glue them to the front cover of the journal.
Glue the rhinestones to the front cover to complete the journal.