Patience

Headbands.
Notice them?
Ever?
Amateur and professionals use head and tail bands to add dimension to their work, but their design choices say something about the artist and the intended use of the finished book. Headbands are added to the text block, before attaching the cover. No doubt, the artist has already determined what the cover will look like, but typically the overall product is still an idea at this point.

Premade, leather, and omitting headbands altogether are viable options, and all certainly save time in construction. There's something to be said, however, in favor of hand sewing your head and tailbands. It is not easy, no matter how colorful or detailed your instructions may be or how many times you've done it. It's a slow and thoughtful process in which one's patience is rewarded.

A small detail towards the finished product, and admittedly, it is one others may not appreciate, but for the book artist, it is a satisfying detail.

Notice the details, I challenge you.