The method used is called a "figure 8" stitch. Yes you use a needle and thread or in my case, dental floss. You always pierce the surfaces from the same side and come up through the hinge line. It's is VERY free moving, extremely secure and tight! It works GREAT on 1/2A and park flyers which are sometimes difficult to slot due to the wood sizes. On smaller planes, regular dacron thread works or even better 1/2a control line string. On larger planes I like the dental floss.

Normally there are small bumps where the thread goes through the wood. However you can hide this for the most part by removing a sliver of wood where the hinges are then applying putty over. It does show somewhat if done in the normal fashion, however I don't find this a problem at all. Kind of makes for a conversation point.

A long time ago this was how it was ALWAYS done. Still works great and may prevent a trip to the hobby shop.

Give it a try sometime.