Easy Vintage Book Junk Journal

Hi Friends,

A long time ago....I saved this book from the trash at a Thrift Shop.

The cover was completely torn off and the pages were damaged.

I found it in my stash and decided to see what I could do with it.

I loved the cover and the illustrations, they were good enough to use again.

I used my paper cutter to remove the torn spine.

I have some paper tape that I got at Dollar tree. It works great!

Once the spine was set, I needed to fix the inside.

Glue and more tape fixed the interior.

I covered the spine with cloth I had on hand.

It matched the shawl of the girl in the window.

I used Mod Podge to add the cloth.

I covered the inside with some blue cardstock.

From the outer edge, over the tape and to the edge of spine.

Measuring from the center to the edge, I started to but together

 folded stacked of 10 papers.

I plan to make 3 stacks called 'signatures' to sew into my book.

I used pages from the dictionary, sheet music, coffee stained paper,

illustrations from other books.

I folded the pages in half and cut to fit.

Sometimes I tear to size, I like the raw edges.

These are my 3 signatures ready to be sewn in the book.

I use clips to hold the pages in place.

I love the vibrant colors of these birds posters.

You will be sewing inside the center fold line.

I made a removable paper template to mark the holes in the spine

then into your folded paper.

I used an awl on a block of wood.

I use a tapestry needle a piece of embroidery thread.

The thread is measured to 3 times the height of the book.

Start center, go through the pages

 and the spine to the outside of the book,

 leaving a tail to tie a knot later-

Then go to outside hole and sew

 through to the inside, then all the way across

and repeat. You will be back to the center hole.

Tighten and tie a knot.

Tie your knot over the center cross thread.

One signature is sewn in, now add another. 

The spine will show your stitches.

If you don't like the look you can cover with another piece of cloth 

or add beads :)

Here's a quick look at the inside-

The last illustration and page says "Good Night"

It was fun to give this pretty book a new life.

I was able to put together a nice amount of scrap paper.

It cost nothing but my time :)

Thanks for being here today-

xo Lisa S