Fabienne Descombes

Atelier du Tilleul

Bookbinder

©Valerie Baeriswyl

Bound by a love for books

Fabienne specialises in creative bookbinding and book restoration projects
She shares her love for her craft through her workshops
Her creative space, Atelier du Tilleul, is named after the lime tree in her garden

Fabienne Descombes always knew she wanted to practise a creative activity that could give her space to develop her artistic sensibility, and she found what she was looking for in bookbinding. After an apprenticeship at the Cantonal and University Library of Fribourg (BCUF), she quickly set up her own atelier and started working on her own. Fabienne works in all forms of bookbinding, from restoring centuries-old books to heading creative one-off projects. She also shares her knowledge in the courses she holds for students in her atelier, both for regular students and the curious wonderers who want to try their hand at bookbinding. "Exchanging with newly interested people drives my role as a teacher. The landscape for bookbinding today is very interesting. While it is in a cautious state of being a rare craft, I have noticed that it is indeed gaining back some interest," Fabienne explains.

Interview

©Valerie Baeriswyl

©Valerie Baeriswyl

How would you describe your craft?: I look at bookbinding as one, whole process – if the work is not right from the beginning, the project will fail. From the very first steps of paper cutting, folding, sewing and mounting, all the way to dressing and shaping the cover. It really requires a great deal of care.
Why is care specifically important for bookbinding?: It is crucial to use long-lasting materials, as it indicates thinking ahead and considering what a bookbinder might need to do one day if restoration is needed for the book. In that sense, attention to detail and the strive for a well made bind are at the heart of the craft.
What do you like about the workshops you organise?: After practising bookbinding for so long, it is a pleasure to be able to pass on my knowledge to passionate people who want to learn and who come back regularly for long-term training. The exchanges I have with my students make me want to continue to teach.
Do you think bookbinding is endangered?: It is a paradoxical subject. There are people who are interested in trying bookbinding and even invested in regular classes. On the other hand, it is a huge personal investment for a complex, niche practice. Just as any other craft, one has to have the right passion and patience for it.

Fabienne Descombes is a master artisan: she began her career in 1981 and she started teaching in 1990