Make your own hand-sewn journal with this highly-detailed and easy-to-follow tutorial. The instructions are fully illustrated so that ever the first time bookmaker can make their own journal.
When making the book cover try to use a medium weight fabric such as cotton, as a heavyweight fabric will be difficult to glue down and a lightweight fabric may show glue seeping through.
One of the best tools for paper crafts and bookbinding is a bone folder. It helps make perfect creases when folding paper. Also, if you're using binder's board, I always like to sand it after I cut it to make sure it's really smooth.