Four Hole Binding

For the Four Hole binding, measure three-quarters of an inch from the spine of the book and mark four holes along this line, where the outer holes (red) are three-quarters of an inch from the edges of the book and the other two holes (magenta) divide the space between the outer holes into thirds. The distances can be calcuated below:

Height (green):

Row of Holes for Binding 3/4 Inches from Spine Inches from Top: Red: Magenta: Magenta: Red:

Make sure the covers and pages are aligned and use the awl to punch the holes. After punching the holes, the book can be stitched. The amount of thread needed is approximately five times the height of the book. When in doubt, cut the thread long. While stitching, take care not to rip the holes, but pull the thread as taut as possible. Too much give in the binding will leave the pages unsupported. The following is the Four Hole binding pattern:

A view of the book with the four holes punched three quarters of an inch from the spine. The back cover is on top and the spine in the front.

Step 1: Push the needle up through the spine through the pages near the back of the book and through the inner right hole. Loop the needle and thread around the spine and back to the inner right hole. Leave a small tail inside the book to be used later to tie the knot.

Step 2: Push the needle up through the inner right hole and down through the inner left hole.

Step 3: Loop the needle and thread around the spine and back down through the inner left hole.

Step 4: Push the needle up through the outer left hole. Loop the needle and thread around the spine and back up through the outer left hole.

Step 5: Loop the needle and thread around the bottom of the book and back up through the outer left hole.

Step 6: Loop the needle and thread around the bottom of the book, back up through the outer left hole, and down through the inner left hole.

Step 7: Push the needle up through the inner right hole and down through the outer right hole.

Step 8: Loop the needle and thread around the spine and back down through the outer right hole.

Step 9: Loop the needle and thread around the top of the book, back down through the outer right hole, and up through the inner right hole.

Step 10: Use the needle to tie a knot with the remaining thread and the tail left earlier.

Step 11: Pull the knot into the book through the inner right hole and trim off excess thread to finish.