Need a lovey-dovey gift idea for your partner? I might have what you need… The other day, I found a set of cute printable coupons on Etsy. The coupons are modern, each with a different redeemable gift for your partner. We’re talking everything from a Spa Day to a hilarious Automatic Victory (in a debate, this would be handy…). I just HAD to turn these into an adorable handcrafted coupon book for couples!
I decided to use the Japanese Stab Binding method. It’s prefect for landscape books with single sheets where drawings, images and other viewable content are on display.
To exercise my artistic skills, I chose the Tortoise Shell stitch pattern. I mean, it sorta looks like a heart…can you see it??
If you’d like to make one of these for a special couple (or yourself…you gotta love YOU, am I right?), you’re in the right place. All you need are a few materials and a couple hours of craft time. If you’re new to the Tortoise Shell pattern, don’t worry. There’s a technical video below if you’d like to practice beforehand. Enjoy!
Bookbinding Tutorial: Adorable Coupon Book for Couples
Measurements: 7-5/8″w x 3″h
Cost Level: $$
Skill Level: Intermediate
Total Time: 2-3 hours + drying time (depending on experience)
*time assumes you’ll be printing your own coupons at home
![adorable coupon book for couples leaning half inside a tiny red mailbox](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_6248-blog-size-1024x683.jpg)
Quick Menu:
Part 1: Create the front & back covers
Adorable Coupon Book for Couples Materials:
- 1 sheet of covering material for the front and back covers (I’m using Japanese book cloth), 11″w x 4″h
- One piece of decorative card stock for the front cover, 6-1/2″w x 4″h
- 1 piece of book board or heavy card stock, 8-3/8″w x 3″h
- 2 pieces of decorative card stock or fine paper, each 7-3/8″w x 2-3/4″h
- 25 individual couples coupons, 7-1/2″w x 3″h (I got my coupons from Etsy)
- 24″ waxed 3-ply thread
- PVA adhesive, Elmer’s glue or double-sided tape
- Ribbon, stickers, enamel dots, etc. to decorate the cover
![top down view of all the materials needed to make an adorable custom coupon book for couples using the japanese stab binding method](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/materials-needed-1024x852.jpg)
Tools & Supplies:
Needed:
- Bone folder
- Olfa knife
- Japanese Screw Punch with 2 or 3mm tip (hole punches work well, too!)
- Heavy duty awl (if piercing book board)
- 6″ light duty tapered awl
- Scissors
- 12” ruler
- 1-3/8″ round paste brush or similar
- 1/2″ to 3/4″ small paste brush or similar
- Clamps or two 1/2″ to 3/4″ binder clips
- Binder’s Needle
- Several sheets of waste paper
- Pencil
![top down view of all the tools needed to make an adorable custom coupon book for couples using the japanese stab binding method](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tools-spread-1024x589.jpg)
Nice to Have:
- Corner guide or jig
- 1/2”, 1/4” and 1/8″ steel rules or spacers
- Rubber brayer
- Pliers (handy if your needle is a tight fit)
- Pick tool
Steps*:
*These steps assume everything has been cut to size per the materials list above.
Part 1: Create the front & back covers
- Take the sheet of covering material sized 11″w x 4″h. Cut it down into two smaller pieces & set aside:
- First: 4″h x 2-1/4″w
- Second: 8-3/4″w x 4″h
- Take the large piece of book board sized 8-3/8″w x 3″h. Cut it down into three smaller pieces & set aside:
- Small: 3″h x 1″w
- Medium: 3″h x 6-3/4″w
- Large: 3″h x 7-5/8″w
The below is a visual illustration of what I’m describing in text:
![illustration showing how to lay out the covering material and boards for both the front and back covers of the couples coupon book for valentines day](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/illustration_how-to-make-an-adorable-couples-coupon-book-1-1024x1024.png)
Front cover
- Lay the first piece of covering material (4″h x 2-1/4″w) face down on a clean surface.
- Overlap the decorative card stock and covering material by 1/8″. We’ll glue these two pieces together at the seam.
- Place a sheet of waste paper beneath the seam to protect the surface.
- Using a small paste brush, apply a small amount of PVA to the seam, around 1/8″ wide.
- Lay about 1/8″ of decorative card stock onto the PVA and press down to adhere.
- Wipe away any excess glue right away.
- Dry the seam under weight for 5 to 10 minutes.
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-8.36.30-AM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-8.36.38-AM.png)
![several pictures showing the process of making gluing the front cover pieces together](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-8.36.46-AM.png)
Back cover
- Take the second piece of covering material and lay it face down on a clean surface in front of you.
- Roughly center the large piece of book board on the covering material. There should be 1/2″ of material all the way around.
- Use a pencil to trace the outer edges. This will help you remember where to place the board after glue is applied.
- Using PVA, glue the board into place. Be sure to press firmly and use a bone folder to smooth out any air bubbles on each side.
- Mark and cut the four corners. If you need help with this, I have technical videos in my Casebinding tutorial that can help.
- Glue the top and bottom flaps first, using care to smooth each flap with a bone folder.
- Glue the right and left flaps next, repeating the smoothing process as you go along. Use care to turn in each corner with the pointed end of your bone folder.
- Press the cover under several large books for 15-20 minutes. Be sure to sandwich the cover between two sheets of waste paper (regular printer paper works here), which will absorb extra moisture.
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-8.38.15-AM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-8.37.46-AM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-8.37.10-AM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-8.38.24-AM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-8.38.32-AM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-8.51.18-AM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-8.51.30-AM.png)
![several images showing steps to make the back cover of the couples coupon book](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-8.51.48-AM.png)
Return to the Front cover
- Remove the front cover material from under weight. Place it face down on a clean surface in front of you.
- Position the small piece of book board on the left side. It should have about 1/2″ on the top, bottom and left edges.
- Use a pencil to outline the position of this small piece.
- Measure 1/8″ from the right side. Draw a light line.
- Line up the left edge of the medium piece of book board with the line you just drew. Both book board pieces should be level with each other.
- The medium board should have 1/2″ of material on the top, bottom and right sides.
- Glue both pieces in place.
- Mark and cut the four corners.
- Turn in and glue the flaps in this order: top, bottom, left and right.
- Use the rounded edge of a bone folder to define the hinge.
- Set aside under some weight for 15-20 mins.
Finish the Back cover
- Remove the back cover from under weight and place it face down in front of you.
- Take up one of the two fine paper pieces sized 7-3/8″w x 2-3/4″h
- Roughly center the piece on the back cover, leaving around 1/8″ on each side.
- Apply PVA to the back of the piece and press it in place.
- Use a bone folder to smooth and remove excess air.
- Press the back cover under weight for 15-20 mins.
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.08.22-PM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.08.54-PM-1024x628.png)
![several images showing how to add the end paper to the back cover with pva and a large paste brush](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.11.02-PM.png)
Finish the Front cover
- Remove the front cover from under weight and place it face down in front of you.
- Take up the second of the two fine paper pieces sized 7-3/8″w x 2-3/4″h.
- Repeat the steps above to finish the front cover.
- Use a bone folder to gently define the hinge with the end paper in place.
- Press the cover under weight for 15-20 minutes.
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.08.54-PM-1024x628.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.09.09-PM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.09.22-PM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.09.36-PM.png)
![several images showing the process of gluing the end papers to the covers as a final step](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.09.53-PM.png)
Part 2: Prepare the coupons
Leave room on the left edge to punch out the stab binding sewing stations. I left about 1-3/4″.
![illustration showing the placement of the second row of sewing stations for a japanese stab binding using the tortoise shell technique](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/illustration_how-to-make-an-adorable-couples-coupon-book-6-1024x1024.png)
Mark & pierce the sewing stations
Choose one coupon to use as a piercing guide. Make sure this one is on top of the stack at all times.
Two rows of piercing stations are needed for this project. We’ll start with the first row, which is closest to the left edge of the coupon.
Measure and mark first row of (4) sewing stations:
- Down 1/4″ from the top edge.
- In 1/4″ from the left edge.
- Make a first mark.
- Up 1/4″ from the bottom edge.
- In 1/4″ from the left edge.
- Make a second mark.
- Down 3/4″ from the top edge.
- In 1/4″ from the left edge.
- Make a third mark.
- Up 3/4″ from the bottom edge.
- In 1/4″ from the left edge.
- Make a fourth mark.
![bookbinding tutorial japanese stab binding adorable couples coupon book cutting guide](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/sewing-positions-first-row-1024x1024.png)
Measure and mark second row of (2) sewing stations:
- Down 1/2″ from the top edge.
- In 3/4″ from the left edge.
- Make a first mark.
- Up 1/2″ from the bottom edge.
- In 3/4″ from the left edge.
- Make a second mark.
![illustration showing the placement of the second row of sewing stations for a japanese stab binding using the tortoise shell technique](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/illustration_how-to-make-an-adorable-couples-coupon-book-5-1024x1024.png)
Pierce the coupon sewing stations
With all six stations marked, it’s time to pierce the holes!
- Stack the coupons. Make sure the template coupon is on top.
- Apply binder clips or a clamp to the fore edge.
- If using a Japanese Screw Punch, prepare the 2mm bit.
- Use the screw punch to carve out each station.
Secure and align the stack while piercing.
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.21.53-PM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.22.07-PM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.22.29-PM.png)
Part 3: Pierce cover sewing stations
- Lay the front cover in front of you facing up.
- Fasten the coupon template to the front cover using binder clips.
- With the template in place, use an awl to pierce each sewing station.
- Remove the template and recycle. You won’t need it anymore.
- Widen each hole with a light duty awl.
- Pass a needle through each hole to test fit.
![several images showing how to use a japanese screw punch to pierce sewing stations for bookbinding tutorial coupon book](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.24.24-PM.png)
![images showing how to line up the coupon template with the front cover in order to transfer the hole locations](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.25.20-PM.png)
Now for the back cover…
- Bring the front and back covers together. They should resemble a book without paper.
- Fasten the two covers together using 3/4″ binder clips.
- We will use the holes pierced in the front cover as a guide for the back.
- Using an awl, poke through the front cover into the back cover.
- Remove the front cover and set it aside.
- Widen each hole in the back cover with an awl.
- Repeat the same steps used on the front cover (define, widen, test with a needle, etc.)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.26.30-PM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.27.09-PM.png)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.27.30-PM.png)
![images showing how to use the front cover as a template to pierce holes in the back cover](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-23-at-2.27.58-PM-1024x589.png)
Part 4: Use the Tortoise Shell pattern to sew your coupon book for couples
It’s time to finish your coupon book for couples!
Bring the coupon book together. Make sure the spine of the book is flush with the spine of each cover.
Tortoise Shell Technique
- Thread your needle with 24″ of waxed thread.
- Separate the book into two halves. The first half should have the front cover + half the coupon stack.
- We’re going to start with Section 1.
- Move the needle through A from inside to outside.
- Pull the thread. Leave about 2″.
- Recombine the front and second halves. The bit of dangling thread should be sticking out from between the two stacks.
- Move the needle around the spine, under and back through A. This connects the bottom half to the top half.
- Once outside A, move the needle through B to inside.
- From inside, move the needle around the spine and back through B from outside to inside.
- Once inside again, move through A to outside.
- From outside, move through C to inside.
- Once inside, move the needle around the spine and back through C from outside to inside.
- From inside, move through A to outside.
- The first tortoise shell is complete.
- Once outside, skip across to the Section 2.
- Move into D from outside to inside.
- Wrap around the spine and back through D to inside.
- From inside, move through E to outside.
- Wrap around the spine and back through E from inside to outside.
- From outside, move through D to inside.
- Once inside, move through F to outside.
- Wrap around the spine and back through F to outside.
- From outside, move through D to inside.
- Skip across and back into A.
- When you reach A, pause.
- Open the book at the half mark. Exit the needle in the middle half of the book next to the original extra bit of thread. DO NOT go all the way through the hole.
- Tie the square knot inside.
- Trim the threads to 1/2″ and make sure they’re side by side.
- Close the book and voila! You’re done!
A video showing just the sewing process is below. Keep in mind, your book will have the front and back covers.
Technical Video: Japanese Stab Binding Tortoise Shell Stitch Technique
The final project
Here it is – my finished coupon book for couples!
These books have a lot of artistic potential. I can’t wait to see what you create! Good luck, my friend!
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_6264-copy-1024x731.jpg)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_6256-blog-size-1024x684.jpg)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_6262-blog-size-1024x683.jpg)
![coupon book for couples](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_6267-blog-size-1024x692.jpg)
![](https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/staging/5941/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_6247-blog-size-1024x776.jpg)
Full Tutorial Video: Make an Adorable Coupon Book for Couples using the Japanese Stab Binding Technique
Before I go… a reminder: this is a coupon book for couples 🙂
I know, I know… You wouldn’t get this far and NOT know what you’ve created, but I wanted to mention it.
As you’re preparing to decorate this lovely gift, keep the couple in mind. Try to reflect their relationship. Extra touches like these can make the recipient feel like the gift was made just for them.
Resources
- New to Japanese Stab Bindings? Learn all about them in How to Create a Book using the Japanese Stab Binding Method
- Pick up these cute coupons on Etsy or Bliss-Collections
- Learn how to mark & turn corners on a case with my Tutorial | How to Create a Casebinding (Part II)
Want more tutorials and info? Be sure to join my mailing list. Subscribers have early access to new tutorials before anyone else!
If you haven’t already, grab my Bookbinding Tools & Supplies Quick Start Guide to learn about these tools, which to buy first and where to go online.
Thanks for checking out this fun tutorial. I hope it gave you some inspiration for your own handmade gift ideas. Stop by Instagram & Facebook to show me what you made!
ALL my best,
Misty