Fabric Fantastik | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | IKEA: Magical Patterns | Dovecot Gallery

Fabric Fantastik | IKEA: Magical Patterns | Dovecot Gallery

18 July 2025 – 17 January 2026 | Learn More (or Book Tickets) here

Step into 60 years of bonkers bananas, bold broccoli and sophisticated Swedish style as Magical Patterns lands at Dovecot Studios. With 180 iconic fabrics and legendary designers like Zandra Rhodes and Marimekko, this exhibition is a riot of colour, creativity and IKEA furnishings.

You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how designers craft iconic patterns—using everything from coloured paper and paint to hama beads—to spark imagination and create timeless prints.

The exhibition is beautifully curated, with fabric draped throughout to form floating walls that guide you through winding aisles. Fabric forts evoke bold, colourful yurts, inviting you to step inside and experience design from the inside out.

At the heart of the space is a playful nod to the classic IKEA showroom—only this living room bursts with colour. Vibrant patterns cover everything from cushions to curtains, complete with a dressmaker’s mannequin and sewing machine to ignite your own creativity.

It’s impossible not to feel happy and inspired as you wander through this joyful celebration of design.

Step into a technicolour playground where every drape, stitch, and swatch sparks a new adventure. Whether you’re sketching your own prints in the pop-up studio or wandering through floating fabric forts, Magical Patterns turns Dovecot Studios into the boldest stage of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Don’t miss your chance to get wrapped up in IKEA’s 60-year design party.

And remember every ticket helps keep tapestry art alive in Scotland, supporting the Dovecot Studios themselves. So come to indulge in prints, stay to support the purpose!

The Arts Business Top Tips

1. Extend Your Availability

Although this exhibition is running long beyond the festival itself, the Dovecot Studio is putting on extra events during the Edinburgh Fringe with the introduction of a late session on Thursdays.

When you add late-night or weekend sessions, you open your doors to people who can’t make it during standard hours.

Why not try:

• Offering at least one weekly “after-work” slot

• Highlighting these sessions in your marketing so visitors and patrons know you’ve got them covered

• Tracking attendance to see which extra hours perform best

2. Offer an Enticing Incentive

At these late night events the Dovecot is offering a free glass of fizz or soft drink.

This may seem like a small gesture but it can make a big difference in getting people through the door.

Why not try:

• Including a free drink, sample or mini gift with special events or visits

• Promoting the incentive across social media and in email newsletters

• Experimenting with different offers or freebies to find out what your audience loves

3. Cross-Promote Complementary Services

The Dovecot Studio is using these events to promote other services in the building including the Dazzle jewellery makers exhibition, Scottish fabric and tapestry designers and their specialist gift shop, ticking pretty much all the boxes for this organisation and attached charity foundation.

Partnering with other creatives or local businesses can multiply your reach and add value to your business.

Why not try:

• Showcasing related pop-ups and designers or running competitions alongside your main event

• Creating a range of tickets or passes that grant access to multiple experiences

• Sharing each partner’s social channels to boost mutual visibility online

4. Align with a Recognizable Partner

IKEA is an international conglomerate operating 483 stores in 63 different countries worldwide. The blue and yellow logo is instantly recognisable anywhere in on the planet. By holding an exhibition on the household furniture giant, it opens the organisation to international coverage and becomes a memorable pull for anyone that has ever visited an IKEA. With 4.6 billion website visits a year, that is basically everyone in the world!

Collaborating with a well-known brand can turn curious browsers into eager attendees.

Why not try:

• Utilising the partner’s logo and brand in promotional materials

• Invite the partner to share the event link on their website and socials

• Use co-branded imagery to tap into the partner’s global audience

By extending hours, sweetening the deal, teaming up with peers and leaning on strong existing brands, you can turn any launch or pop-up into a can’t-miss event. Experiment with each tip, gather feedback, and keep refining to find the perfect mix for your business or freelance venture and your audience.

Have you partnered with any big brands? Let us know in the comments.