Oh man, that first year struggle is SO real. Totally get the lumpy spine pain. That dowel trick sounds brilliant, honestly might try that next time. To answer tessap97, a smooth round just feels SO much better in the hand, you know? It's not just looks, it's how the book opens. My own low-tech fix was using a thick marker to roll it out on a towel, but it was still hit or miss. Really glad you found a method that works!

A hundred doors is a serious milestone, that's way past just making rectangles. The real craft is in the fit, finish, and making each one square and true. That number proves you've got the process down solid.

Honestly, I've had the opposite experience.