How to Make A Sketchbook from an Old Book | DIY No Sewing, Perfect Bound Handmade Journal Tutorial

Want to make your own DIY sketchbook using an old book? In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to transform a secondhand book into a perfect bound, no-sew sketchbook—a fun and easy bookbinding project perfect for artists, journal lovers, and DIY enthusiasts!

What You'll Learn in This Video:
✅ How to remove pages from an old book without damaging the cover
✅ The best way to reinforce the spine using fabric or duct tape
✅ How to cut and bind sketchbook pages for a clean, professional look
✅ The best glue for bookbinding and how to apply it for a strong hold
✅ Creative embellishments like ribbon bookmarks and elastic closures

Why You'll Love This DIY Sketchbook Project:
✔ No sewing required! Perfect for beginners
✔ Eco-friendly upcycling—give old books a second life
✔ Customizable—use watercolor, mixed media, or toned paper
✔ Save money—make your own sketchbooks instead of buying expensive ones

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👍 Like this video if you love handmade sketchbooks and drop a comment if you have any questions!

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You will need:
An old book with a hardback cover in good condition.
Two sheets or a roll of contact paper
Enough watercolor or multimedia paper to fill the book
An exacto (x-acto) knife
Scissors or a paper cutter
PVA glue
Duct tape or a strip of cloth
A bone folder or straight edge
Ribbon, elastic, or other embellishments

How to make a perfect bound sketchbook in 10 steps
0:00 introduction
0:10 step one removing the book
02:42 step two remove headband and tailband
06:18 step three reinforce the binding
11:54 step four cut the paper
17:56 step five clip and glue the pages
23:00 step six cut the endpaper
24:28 step seven add embellishments
28:36 step eight coat three of glue
31:59 step nine add endpaper
35:00 step ten weigh down overnight

If you love sketchbooks, be sure to check out my sketchbook walkthrough playlist here    • Sketchbook Tours