Affiliate links may be included for your convenience. View our privacy and affiliates policy for details.
This stitchable journal cover DIY is fun to make with a purchased stitchable notebook to show your love of handmade wherever you go.
Where to Get a Stitchable Journal Cover
I’ve had this stitchable journal cover for years. It’s Dimensions brand and it came from my local Joann. As of this writing its showing unavailable on Amazon, but check back if you’re looking. I also found them on Orenco Originals and Artful Needleworker.
In my searching I also found similar stitchable journal covers made by Yoobi. They don’t seem to be sold in stores anymore, but I did find several on eBay.
Alternatively you could buy some perforated paper and make your own notebook cover by attaching the stitched paper to a notebook, which would be a lot easier.
Using a Stitchable Journal
I had a little bit of a plan when I started working on my stitchable journal cover, but it didn’t quite work out the way I expected.
My journal cover is 10 count, meaning there are 10 holes per inch/2.5 cm in the cover. If you want to draw your own pattern you can find printable graph paper at Better Cross Stitch Patterns.
My design started with a kind of diamond shape at the bottom and I filled in the center and tried to do the same thing at the top but my count was a little off. I still like it, though!
Tips for Stitching on a Stitchable Journal Cover
Because the back side is visible when you open the notebook (though we can deal with that, too), you’ll want to try to stitch as neatly as possible and not use knots.
To get started, thread your needle and pull through from back to front where you want your first stitch to start. Leave about an inch/2.5 cm of tail and hold onto it while you make the first couple of stitches.
Then make sure you stitch over it to secure it completely.
Alternatively if you start near the margin you can tape the tail end to the cover.
I tried to stitch consistently but clearly I was changing things up along the way more than I realized.
When you get to the end of the thread, take the needle to the back of the work and run it through a few stitches on the back to secure this end. Trim any excess thread.
Use a dull needle if you have one. If you already have a sewing needle you use for embroidering on paper, that would be perfect. You don’t need a sharp needle to go through the holes, and if you’re like me, you’ll miss a lot, so you would dull a sharp needle quickly.
Another good tip for cross stitching on a stitchable journal cover is to brace the needle with your non-dominant hand from the back side of the cover as you stitch from the back to the front. If you just let go of the needle when you move your stitching hand, it will fall out of the stitch.
Because you’re working with the cover open, you have to manipulate the needle and hold the notebook open at the same time. This makes it both slower and more tiring than stitching in fabric, so take your time and take breaks as needed.
Finishing the Cover
If you want, you can cut a piece of cardstock or scrapbook paper to fit the cover and attach it on the back of the cover to hide the stitching.
This is some of the paper I made for my DIY Christmas cards, which was colored with watercolor markers. Attach the paper with glue or double sided tape.
And that’s how to work with a stitchable journal cover. Have you ever made one of these? I’d love to hear about it!
