A few folds and stitches are all you need to learn this simple bookbinding technique from bookmaker Angela Liguori of Studio Carta.

1. Fold a large piece of heavy paper in half with the grain to create cover. Fold a 10-sheet stack of lighter-weight, slightly smaller-size paper in half to form pages. Nest pages in cover. Use an awl to punch a hole at the midpoint of fold, then punch 2 more holes along the fold, halfway between midpoint and the end of the page.

2. Thread a needle with a 36-inch length of waxed twine. Sew through center hole, starting from inside of book, leaving a 3-inch tail. Return through top hole, then exit through bottom hole, from inside of book outward. Finish by returning through center hole.

3. Pull thread taut against fold. Knot on top of thread on interior seam. Clip ends, leaving 1-inch tails.

4. Close book. Run a bone folder over just the holes on spine to smooth.

5. Using a glue stick, affix stamps or other decorative elements to book cover. Press with bone folder to secure.