How to String a Rowsome Leather TN

To celebrate the launch of our new elastic, I’ve put together a guide showcasing the unique internal stringing method used in Rowsome Leather's traveller’s notebooks.

What sets our stringing design apart from others? Ours uses a single, continuous elastic to create three evenly spaced interior bands, so your inserts lay flat! A single elastic also means there’s only one terminating knot, keeping bulk to a minimum.

In addition, the closure elastic loop exits cleanly through the spine, allowing you to use an separate band, without any knots adding bulk to the back cover.

This simple, quick reference image shows the order of holes to string your elastic through.

For a more in-depth guide, keep reading!

SUPPLIES + TOOLS:

  • Elastic cord
  • Sharp pair of scissors
  • Lighter

First, we are going to determine the amount of elastic needed to string your notebook.

Please note that this method is based on the elastic currently offered in my shop (and used on all notebooks made by Rowsome Leather, from mid July 2025, and onward). Elastics with more or less stretch may need more or less length.

With your cover laying open, begin by threading the end of your elastic through the first hole, leaving enough elastic go just past the centre hole. This will be one end of where you tie off.

Next, wrap the elastic around your cover three and a half times, keeping very little tension on the cord - do not pull it enough to stretch!

Cut the elastic cord so the tail is about the same length from the cover on each end, and use a lighter to briefly burn the end, to reduce fraying and make it easy to thread.

Now that you've determined the length of elastic cord needed, continue to thread the elastic as show, keeping just enough tension on the cord to provide stability for your inserts, but not enough to curl the cover in. This may take some practice and adjustment to gain a proper feel before the final tie-off. Just be patient! It took me many, many journals before I was able to string one without having to go back and readjust.

Next, thread the elastic through the centre hole, and flip the cover over. Thread the LoopGuard on, and position it so the centre of the LoopGuard is in line with the edge of the cover (with minimal tension on the cord).

Thread the elastic back through the centre hole, and ensure its about even in length on each end. Also be sure to correct any twists in the cord.

Continue to string the elastic through, as shown in the following photos, keeping the tension as consistent as possible

Once you are happy with the tension, it's time to tie the ends! This is where it can get extra tricky, and may take some fiddling.

Be sure to tie the elastics in a square knot for security!

"Right over left. Left over right. Pull both sides tight."

[demo of square knot with elastics here. . . placeholder for now.]

Thank you so much for reading this far! This was not an easy entry to write, and I do intend to add a proper video version at some point.

In the mean time, if you have any other questions, or still need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me, and I will do me best to help.

Your support really does mean the world to me. Thanks again!