Gather a stack of paper of 25 pages or less. To include a cover, place a piece of card stock on the bottom of the stack. Use paper of any size, depending on the desired size of the book, as long as pages and card stock cover correspond in size.
Align the edges of the paper on all sides perfectly. Fold the paper in half horizontally, creating a vertical crease, with the card stock on the outside. Compress the crease with the heel of your palm.
Unfold the paper and mark three points inside the fold, which will serve as the spine of the book. First, mark a point at the middle of the spine, then mark a point evenly spaced on each side between the middle and the edge of the paper.
Thread an upholstery needle with string. Ideally, use waxed bookbinding thread, which is more durable than traditional sewing thread. Knot the end of the piece of string, which should be approximately 20 inches long.
Puncture the middle point marked from the outside of the spine. Carefully pull the string all the way through the paper, until the knot catches at the spine.
Puncture one of the other points marked (it does not matter which) with the needle and pull the thread all the way through. Now, the thread and needle should be on the outside of the spine again.
Thread through the center hole a second time, and then puncture the third point. Pull the string tight and puncture the center hole a third time. Pull tight and then knot the string to secure stitches. Cut excess string with scissors.