By Noreen Doll.
I love pockets in a book – they are so handy for keeping notes or other little things you don’t want to lose.
Pockets are even more important in a journal where you might want to put photos, mementos, or bits of info to add later.
However, if you are using a ready made journal, they usually come without pockets.
I’ve devised a few ways to add pockets to an already bound journal, and this is idea #2.
Supplies.
Composition Book, Journal, Or Old Book You Are Altering to a Journal
Decorative Paper or Map Paper
Double Sided Tape
Ruler
Pencil
Scissors
Regular Tape
How to Make a Pocket Page in a Book – Idea #2.
The measurements I used for this pocket are based on the size of the composition book I added the pocket to, which is 7 1/2 inches by 9 3/4 inches.
You will need to adjust the size of the pocket for any other size book you use, but the basic idea would be the same.
For this journal I’m making one pocket 5 inches high and the second pocket will be 3 inches high.
1. Choose your paper and draw the pocket on it. The template is shown as though you were drawing it on the colored or right side of the paper.
Dashed lines are folds, and should be scored before folding.
2. Cut out the pocket.
Fold on all the scored lines.
3. Used double sided tape to hold the 1/2 inch folded edges to the pockets.
3. Put a long piece of regular tape along the edge shown to help make it stronger.
I also put a piece of regular tape on the long center fold to make it sturdier. Crease again.
4. Put 2 rows of double sided tape on the white side of the tab, which is the 1 inch fold and the shortest tab.
Place the tab (only) under the edge of the page and press to adhere.
5. Fold the pocket over the page. This makes one pocket.
6. Turn the page.
Place double sided tape on the inside edge of the pocket.
Fold the pocket up over the bottom of the page and adhere the left side of the pocket to the page. This makes a second pocket.
The pocket on this side of the page will also be open at the binding side of the page to make it easier to slide things in and out, but to also hold the contents securely.
So now you have two pockets – one on each side of the page.
Above is the pocket on the back side of the page, and here is the pocket on the front side.
Here is another pocket made with a map from an old atlas.
This time, the shorter and taller pockets are reversed from the earlier example.
Pocket Page in a Book – Idea #1
Noreen Doll
Aliza @ Home Crafts by Ali says
We love to make our own journals and these pockets would be perfect for our travel journal. We keep maps, receipts, little things we find along the way or anything of interest. Thanks for this great idea!
Brittany says
How clever! I can’t believe I never thought of that all my years in school!
Katie V says
Thanks for the step by step picture tutorial. For someone who is a visual learner, this was super appreciated! A very cute idea!
Michelle L says
What an awesome tutorial! The map one is genius!!!
Rebeckah says
I loved this! Thanks for sharing your neat idea. I agree… we need more pockets. 😀
Jann Olson says
Fun idea! I’ve done this in a scrapbook before, but never thought of doing it in a note book. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann