How I Made a Teal & Gold Fabric Junk Journals Collection

Hi everyone, my name is Savera, and today I’d love to share a collection of handmade fabric-covered junk journals that I created here in Pakistan.

These journals are a little different from the journals I usually make. While many of my journals have soft covers, these feature sturdy hard covers wrapped in fabric, creating a more structured and durable design while still maintaining a soft textile feel.

Each journal was individually collaged and embellished using a combination of vintage-inspired papers, lace, sari silk, trims, embroidery, vintage invitation cards, and handmade ephemera.

Although all three journals contain the same number of pages and ephemera pieces, each one is completely unique inside. No two journals are exactly alike.

Creating the Fabric Covers

The covers began with chipboard bases that were wrapped in fabric.

Before attaching the fabric to the chipboard, I stitched decorative elements directly onto the fabric itself, creating texture and detail that would become part of the finished cover.

The journals feature:

• Fabric-covered hard covers
• Decorative stitching
• Vintage-inspired collage elements
• Buttons
• Lace trims
• Sari silk ribbons
• Embroidered textiles
• Fabric tabs and embellishments

The combination of soft textiles and sturdy chipboard creates journals that feel both elegant and substantial in hand.

Repurposing Vintage Textiles

One of my favorite elements in these journals comes from a very old garment that I owned.

The gold embroidered trim visible around the journal edges was carefully removed from a shirt that had become too outdated to wear. Rather than discarding it, I preserved the beautiful embroidery and incorporated it into these journal covers.

Giving forgotten textiles a second life is one of the things I enjoy most about junk journaling.

Many of the decorative elements throughout the journals have similar stories.

Materials Used Throughout the Journals

Fabrics & Textiles

• Fabric-covered hard covers
• Sari silk ribbons
• Decorative laces
• Vintage trims
• Embroidered textiles
• Fabric tabs
• Fabric flowers

Papers

• Junie B Journals digital kit (Teal)
• Hand-dyed papers
• Coffee-dyed papers
• Vintage-style ledger papers
• Decorative inserts
• Writing papers

Vintage Elements

• Vintage wedding invitation cards
• Old envelopes
• Vellum pieces
• Repurposed ephemera
• Vintage-inspired documents

Embellishments

• Hidden paper clips
• Decorative tags
• Journaling cards
• Handmade envelopes
• Lace pockets
• Butterfly embellishments

Inspired by the Teal Digital Kit

The digital kit used throughout these journals comes from Junie B Journals and is called Teal.

The beautiful teal color palette immediately became the inspiration for the entire project.

Teal has always been one of my favorite colors, and many of my journals naturally develop around the colors and mood of the digital kits I choose.

The unexpected pairing of teal and warm yellow tones emerged organically during the creative process.

I rarely plan every detail in advance. Instead, the journals evolve naturally as I work.

Hand-Dyed and Splatters Throughout

Every journal contains hand-dyed pages that were colored with soft yellow tones and finished with paint splatters.

Even many of the printed digital pages were altered and blended into the overall aesthetic through additional dyeing and distressing.

This process creates a cohesive vintage appearance while helping all of the elements feel naturally aged and well loved.

Hidden Paper Clips

One of my favorite features in these journals is the collection of hidden paper clips.

I created four of these throughout the journals, and they quickly became one of my favorite embellishments.

Unlike traditional paper clips, hidden paper clips allow notes, tags, and inserts to slide in and out more smoothly without catching on decorative elements.

They are both practical and decorative, making them perfect for junk journals.

Interactive Pockets and Important Dates Insert

Throughout the journals you’ll find numerous interactive elements designed to encourage writing, planning, and memory keeping.

Features include:

• Fold-out pages
• Hidden pockets
• Journaling inserts
• Important dates pages
• Ledger pages
• Interactive flaps
• Decorative tuck spots

These details create opportunities for personalization while keeping the journals highly functional.

Vintage Documents and Ephemera

Several pages contain reproductions and fragments of vintage-style documents.

One particularly interesting piece resembles an old military-related document marked “Secret.”

While the document is quite old and clearly historical in nature, it adds wonderful texture and authenticity to the journal pages.

Vintage-inspired papers like these help create depth and storytelling throughout the journals.

Vintage Wedding Cards and Vellum

Many of the decorative pieces throughout these journals were created using old wedding invitation stock.

Years ago, I acquired a collection of older wedding invitation materials from a shop clearing out inventory.

Included among these materials were:

• Decorative invitation cards
• Specialty papers
• Vintage-style envelopes
• Beautiful vellum inserts

While not antiques, many of these pieces are over twenty years old and fall comfortably into the vintage category.

These materials add unique textures and details that are difficult to find today.

Handmade Tags, Envelopes, and Journaling Cards

Each journal contains a variety of handmade ephemera pieces, including:

• Floral tags
• Journaling cards
• Fold-out inserts
• Decorative envelopes
• Writing cards
• Layered collage pieces

One of my favorite elements is the trifold tag included in all three journals.

The tags and inserts provide additional writing space while adding layers of interest throughout the journals.

Beautiful Trims, Lace, and Feather Details

A decorative feather trim appears throughout the journals and has become one of my most-used embellishments.

The colors matched the teal palette perfectly, and the texture adds movement and softness to the page edges.

Combined with lace, sari silk, buttons, and embroidered fabrics, these trims help create richly layered pages without overwhelming the design.

Three Journals, Three Unique Interiors

Although all three journals share the same overall concept, every journal has its own personality.

Each includes:

• The same page count
• The same number of ephemera pieces
• Similar interactive elements

However:

• The page layouts differ
• The embellishments differ
• The ephemera placements differ
• The decorative details differ

This ensures that every journal remains one of a kind.

Final Thoughts

These teal and gold fabric journals were an absolute joy to create.

From the repurposed embroidered textiles and sari silk spines to the hidden paper clips, vintage invitation cards, hand-dyed pages, and Junie B Journals digitals, every element was chosen to create a rich, layered experience for the journal user.

Each journal combines vintage-inspired paper crafting with textile art, resulting in a collection that feels both practical and decorative.

I hope you enjoy exploring them as much as I enjoyed creating them.

Watch the Full Journal Flip Through

Watch the complete journal flip through on YouTube to see:

• Every page
• Interactive elements
• Hidden paper clips
• Vintage invitation card details
• Handmade ephemera
• Construction techniques

Create Your Own Vintage Journal

If you enjoy vintage journaling, printable ephemera, creative paper crafting, and handmade journals, explore more inspiration at Trinketz.

• Browse Journal Collections
• Explore Printable Kits
• Watch More Flip Through Videos
• Try the Free Trinketz Kit Builder
• Visit Trinketz.org

After years of creating handmade junk journals, I designed the Trinketz Kit Builder specifically for journal makers who want cohesive vintage collections and printable aesthetics.

Try Free