Paper Houses Design at Selvedge Magazine Fair

Aim

Bringing contemporary Scottish textiles and botanical screen printing to Selvedge London by Paper Houses Design.

Bringing contemporary Scottish textiles and botanical screen printing to Selvedge London.

Who

Paper Houses Design is a small textile studio based in Aberdeen, started by me Mhairi Allan. Selvedge Magazine is an independent publication that covers the world of fine textiles, slow crafts and design. 

Image credit: Cairn Media

What 

Each November Selvedge Magazine create a curated fair, featuring handpicked selection of independent makers and designers. It’s an opportunity for makers to meet the public and be part of textiles at the height of their craft. This year I am delighted that I have been invited to take part. But this is where your help is needed. The fair is based in London but the studio is in Aberdeenshire, so support is needed to get Paper Houses Design designs and display to London for the event on the 22nd November. Your support will also help pay for the space at the fair, renting a table and accommodation as well as vital travel whilst there. 

The work that I will be exhibiting will be a selection from the last few years of Paper Houses Design, including natural dye screen printed work. Understanding of the process of using natural dyes to screen print has been developed over two years of research. The initial training to learn about the processes was from Lara and Flo at Ceres Studio, I wouldn’t be here without them!

Motivations 

Why am I taking this big leap and asking for your help? 

• Take the next big step
• Showcase contemporary Scottish design
• Share the possibilities of natural colour through screen printing
• Feeling of validation for my skills, craft and design
• First time showing at this level and a national fair
• Reconnecting to my work after taking a step back and developing my craft over the last few years
• Connect with more folks and makers

Rewards

A4 Banister Risograph Print - on 225g Birch fleck paper

A3 Gallowgate Risograph Print - on 225g Birch fleck paper

Thank You Shoutout 

Discount Codes

Banister 60 x 30cm cushion - hand screen printed with natural dye inks on cotton, bright blue linen backing and hand painted natural dyed linen piping. With feather insert or British wool insert.

Bloc 60 x 30cm cushion cover - printed on organic cotton and natural biscuit coloured linen/cotton backing. Cover only.

Gallowgate Wall Hanging 100 x150cm - hand screen printed on Scottish linen-cotton with hand stitched detail and reclaimed oak hanging bar

All rewards include UK postage and packaging.

Risks

Without your donations and support I won’t be able to showcase my contemporary Scottish craft in London. I hope to gain your support in order to show a variety of my designs and new work to a high standard. 

The textile designs to be shown are already organised and ready to put the finishing touches to. I am confident with my previous experience of running events and pop up shops that I can display the work to a high standard. Specifically showing the possibilities of natural colour in screen printed textiles.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 13th November 2026 at 11:59pm