Splatter Pattern + Zippered iPad Cover

By Kate Riley March 30, 2015

A week off is so very nice, it makes me feel normal again to not spend my hours sitting behind a computer all day and instead soaking up the sunshine. I enjoyed a very relaxing spring break, thanks for indulging me in that time off, but that said it’s good to be back!

This week I’m so very excited to be sharing my newest fabric patterns with you! Whenever I pull together a new collection it’s always a labor of love from the start of the digital design process to the finished result which includes the styling and photography. Fabric design is the most fun thing ever for me because I get to conceptualize the print, design it, colorize it, then play with it!

I’ll be revealing the new prints throughout the week with DIY projects to go along with several of the designs and I’ll share the full Lookbook with all ten patterns on Thursday. The Spring Collection was inspired by painterly patterns and brushstrokes, you’ll see a lot of those elements in the newest designs.

I’m kicking off the reveal of the Spring Collection with a classic splatter pattern which I love so much because it’s random in its painterly repeat but also reminds me a bit of dalmatian spots from afar and you know I love me some spots! The pattern makes the best backdrop for bookcases and the most fun accent pillows too.

splatter bookcases kate riley designs

 

I lined the above Billy bookcases with 2 ½ rolls of two tone indigo splatter wrapping paper to achieve that statement backdrop. My Splatter Print is available as fabric, wallpaper, and gift wrap in four colors: ebony, sunshine, aqua, and indigo.

splatter pattern fabric kate riley

 

I love that you can order only a fat quarter instead of a full yard, I used one fat quarter of the ebony version in the linen/cotton canvas blend to sew this zippered padded iPad cover, follow the step by step below!

sew ipad cover splatter pattern

 

Supplies you’ll need: 1 fat quarter of fabric (this splatter pattern is available in the linen/cotton blend in the 27 x 18” size), cotton quilt batting, fat quarter of plain white fabric for inside liner, one 18” zipper, scissors, thread, and sewing machine.

 

supplies needed

 

Start by cutting your fat quarter in half and trimming it to fit the tablet, allow for 1½” extra fabric around the edges. Layer the cotton batting in between the white liner fabric and the patterned fabric. Roll the patterned fabric around and pin fabric on all sides to hold it in place.

wrap liner batting fabric

 

At this point you’re basically creating two padded “placemats” with the pattern on one side wrapping around the edge of the other side where the white liner is – this is so you’ll have finished and not raw edges inside the padded cover when it’s sewn together. Sew the three layered pieces of fabric together with a standard machine foot on all sides. Next, pin the 18” zipper to the top of the printed side, zipper head down as shown. 

pin with zipper head down

 

Switch your machine to a zipper foot and attach the zipper by sewing on the right side of zipper that is facing down, attaching it to the front of the patterned fabric side about ½” from the edge. 

zipper head down sew to first side

 

After sewing the first side of zipper, pin the other patterned side with the finished fabric sides facing each other, the pin helps keep the zipper aligned.

pin together then sew

 

Next sew side two of the zipper, notice placement of foot, it stays to the right of the zipper’s teeth.

sew side two of zipper

 

Turn it right side out and you’ll find the front of the zipper peeking out on the proper side.

exposed zipper

 

Continue to attach the zipper as you already did, wrapping it around the corners. I find it’s easier to keep it zipped up when sewing it until you get to the head, then open it up to attach those final ends to the fabric.

turn corner

 

Once the zipper is attached sew the remaining padded sides together with the patterned sides facing each other (the cover is inside out at this point). I didn’t switch over to a standard foot, and wished I’d sewn on top of the patterned edge not to the left of it but note that if you recreate this.

sew all around

 

Flip it right side out and there you have it, a padded cover to protect your iPad ! You can use these same steps for sewing a cover for a Macbook, laptop, tablet, or Kindle. Hey get creative and add a strap if you like!

splatter ipad case

 

zippered ipad cover

 

Originally I had five colors in the collection, the fifth was a coral version but when printed it looked too close to blood ha! So it ended up on the cutting room floor (pun!) The pattern makes the really fun decorative pillows and I can also see it as curtains, a tablecloth, or slipcovers.  

splatter pillows kate riley designs

 

Find these four colors in my Spoonflower shop.

splatter fabrics

 

I’ll be featuring another pattern tomorrow, it’s a painterly floral with DIY project to go along with it, come back tomorrow to see it !

15 comments

  1. Ooh, I love this pattern! It’s so artistic and simple all at once. Not only that, but I like how it looks like Dalmatian spots too! The coral would have been a nice color if it didn’t resemble blood. :)

  2. Love the prints. They say welcome spring. Could you please advise where you purchased the white boxes you used to style the bookcase? Thank you

    • All over the place Susan, some from Home Goods some from Target…

  3. I love this pattern Kate! So fun! I am giving a baby shower luncheon in June and the yellow would make a wonderful tablecloth. So bright and cheery. Glad you had a nice week off!

  4. Great idea to use wrapping paper. I had been looking to do something like this in my closet shelves but the wall paper option was too expensive. This is perfect in style and price point!! Thank you for the inspiration.

  5. Love these splatter patterns and love your style, which I find so inspiring! I’ve been following you for a long time. :) I’m happy to see vintage splatter patterns making a comeback with a modern edge. Please check out my daughter’s website for many household splatterware items – RoveandSwig.com. The enamel colored rim pieces would coordinate beautifully with your fabric as a tablecloth.

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