A Book Dragon Bag... featuring Splatter Expressions Batiks

Every once in a while, a fabric sparks an idea you didn’t even know you were waiting for. That’s what happened when I saw the Splatter Expressions Batiks collection from Riley Blake Designs. I could instantly picture the perfect project for my sister-in-law, who’s a self-proclaimed book dragon.

Sewing with Splatter

The Swing and Sling Bag by Minki Kim has been on my “someday sew” list for a while, and these batiks gave me the nudge I needed to finally dive in. The clean shape of the bag lets the splattered prints take center stage, while the roomy design makes it a practical everyday carry.

I did make a few tweaks along the way, adding hardware so the bag could be worn either as a backpack or as a crossbody. A small adjustment with a big payoff, since it makes the bag even more versatile.

A Book Dragon Twist

Because this bag was made as a gift, I wanted it to feel especially personal. I added the Dragon Quilt Block by Happy Sew Lucky Patterns to the front panel. A nod to her love of reading books. The foundation paper pieced block turned out to be the perfect focal point... fierce, fun, and striking against the splattered batiks.

Final Touches

The Splatter Expressions Batiks collection from Riley Blake Designs brought the whole project to life, mixing lively bursts of color with just the right amount of texture. It’s proof that batiks can go far beyond traditional quilting, they can be playful, modern, and completely one-of-a-kind.

Making with Meaning

From the moment I picked up these splattered batiks to the final stitch on the dragon block, this project felt like a story unfolding... colorful, a little whimsical, and full of heart. Here’s to sewing more pieces that tell stories of their own.