Refillable Note Books

First I would like to state for the record that this pattern is based on something I saw in a book or online several years ago.  I wish I could remember where so I could share the credit.

This pattern is for a great little notebook which can be refilled with new pages when the original pages are full.  This is why I think these little notebooks are a great idea for letterbox log books.

Cut a 12" x 12" sheet of plain cardstock into three pieces:  one 3" x 12" and two 3" x 10-1/4".  Score each piece at 2", 4", 6", 8" and 10".

If you would like your books to be bigger than cut the paper to the width you would like but the length should remain the same.

Apply the adhesive of your choice on the two 1/4" tabs created when you scored the 3" x 10-1/4" pieces of cardstock.  I like to use a multi-media glue but double-sided tape would work well.

Fold the finished accordion at the scores and set aside for now.

Cut 2 pieces 2-1/8" x 3-1/8" (or slightly larger than the folded accordion) from heavy chipboard.

Cut 2 pieces of nice thick patterened paper 3-1/8" x 4-5/8"  (the same height ast the chipboard pieces and twice the width plus a 3/8" overlap).

Wrap the patterned paper around the boards and adhere at the overlap only.

Cut a piece of heavy patterned paper 1-3/4" x 3-1/8" for the spine (or same height as the chipboard and same width as the accordion when folded).  Score at 3/4" from either edge of the spine.  Adhere the spine to the 2 chipboard covers matching up the edges of the covers with the scores on the spine.

Cut 2 pieces of patterned paper 2" x 6" (or twice the length of the covers and the same width).  Place this paper on the inside of one board and wrap the ends around to the front, tucking the overlap in at the top and bottom.  If it is a real struggle you can make the pieces a little shorter.

To finish the book, slip the first and last pages of the accordion into each inside cover.

You can make any kind of closure for these adorable little notebooks but I use pretty matching coloured elastics.

When one side of the accordion is full of notes or whatever you can flip it around.  When the second side is full, remove it and put in a new accordion.