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Make a File Folder Notebook

21 February 2011 6,896 views 17 Comments

by rhonda

I've always loved fancy, pretty notebooks, but have seldom owned one because of the ridiculous prices they charge for the primo ones. It's hard to justify spending $8 on a super-cool, multi-subject notebook when you could get ten times more paper buying plain, single-subject notebooks. If you're lucky enough to own or have access to a binding machine, you can make a notebook out of any paper. If you don't have a binding machine, this alternative method works just as well, creating a five-subject divided notebook without requiring any special tools or binding supplies.

Project estimate:

3 pack fancy file folders, $1
3 packages coordinating computer paper, $3
Plastic wire ties, on hand or $1
Hole punch, on hand

Total: $4 and up

I found this 3-pack of striped file folders at Dollar Tree. They also had several other designs available.

I also found this coordinating computer paper at Dollar Tree in 40-sheet packages.

My Dollar Tree has variety packs of plastic wire ties in assorted bright colors; I used pink to match my folders and paper.

Punch an odd number of evenly-spaced holes down the folded edge of each folder, as well as down one edge of all of the paper. (I used 7 holes.)

Divide the paper into 5 equal stacks. (Mine have 24 sheets each.) Cut the file folders along the folded edge to create 6 separate pieces. Starting with half of a file folder, alternate between folder halves and stacks of paper to create one big pile as shown.

Run a plastic wire tie through each hole along the spine of the notebook, making sure to pass through all folder halves and sheets of paper. Try to keep the loops the same size, and make sure they are large enough that the notebook can be easily opened and the pages turn freely.

Cut off the excess from the ends of the wire ties to finish the binding. If desired, you can also add a dab of glue to the end of each wire tie to make sure that the loops aren't accidentally made any smaller. Ta-da! Your own custom notebook!

You can also use this idea with other materials besides file folder; try using ceral boxes instead to make a recycled version!

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17 Comments »

Beth Eaton said:

Thanks so much for sharing! I was just thinking of something like this the other day and didn’t know what I could use to hook it all together! Thanks!!!

# 21 February 2011 at 12:13 pm

Kellie said:

What a great way to make your own scrapbooks too! L.O.V.E. it!

# 21 February 2011 at 12:25 pm

Kristen B said:

My son <3's legos…..so I take the lego boxes and make books out of them. One book for adding all the "instruction booklets" to, and others with just blank paper. They are all themed, since the cover is Harry Potter, or whatever…..like here (not mine!!!):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/52731595/star-wars-special-edition-recycled?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=lego+notebook&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

# 21 February 2011 at 3:16 pm

Cate from Random Crafty Georgia Girl said:

This is a great idea. I never would have thought of it. I use those black and white compostion notebooks and cover them with scrapbook paper. I will be showing this off on Random Crafty Georgia Girl tomorrow for Crafty Tuesday.

# 21 February 2011 at 4:07 pm

Tabitha said:

That’s very cool. Thanks for sharing!

# 21 February 2011 at 4:20 pm

heather said:

I really like that you did the binding with zip ties! such a good idea, rhonda!

# 21 February 2011 at 6:04 pm

Cynthia said:

This is cool.

What I usually do to have cool notebooks is take a notebook, and cover it with a design of my own. I draw the design on a piece of paper, and just use a glue stick to put to cover on. Cheap, awesome notebooks :)

# 21 February 2011 at 8:14 pm

Samantha said:

Very cool and colorful.

# 23 February 2011 at 8:36 am

Sophia said:

That’s ingenious!

# 23 February 2011 at 1:21 pm

rowena___. said:

THIS IS BRILLIANT!

# 23 February 2011 at 7:42 pm

Paper Crafts: DIY Notebook and Envelope Mini Album — Mrs. Greene said:

[...] How to make a file folder notebook [...]

# 24 February 2011 at 11:51 am

Melissa Lea said:

I LOVE THIS! :) When I was a teen, I splurged for ten dollar notebooks, but there is no way I can do that now! I am going to make some of these….and perhaps with notebook paper as well, just with fewer holes. Perfect for back to school!

I just found your site today. I am not normally a crafty person, but you are inspiring me. Thank you! I love cheap and easy cuteness!

# 24 February 2011 at 2:48 pm

Amber said:

Awesome!

# 25 February 2011 at 4:12 pm

Margaret said:

Wah! I was able to find the zip ties at my dollar tree, but have searched several stores for the file folders to no avail. I know, I can use something else, but the idea of the folders is so cool!

# 6 March 2011 at 10:13 pm