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Makeful Challenge: Cellphone Cases from

Iris Folded Pineapple Cell Phone Case

For my first Makeful Challenge, I wanted to use a medium that I don’t normally work with. Usually working with felt and fabric for most of my crafty ambitions, I though papercraft was a good option.
Pineapples make me think summery thoughts so when I was sitting on the deck with a cold drink (sadly not a pina colada) this pattern leapt off the page at me!

 

Materials

  • clear cell phone case
  • coloured paper
  • ribbon (~1cm wide)
  • pencil crayons
  • tape
  • scissors
  • exacto knife
  • glue stick
  • pencil

How to make it

Step 1: First, if you've never done Iris Folding, I suggest you consult some literature on the subject. The favourite in my house is "460 Iris Folded Cards to Make - The Complete Iris Folding Compendium" by Maruscha Gaasenbeek & Tine Beauveser.
It says "cards" but you can use the techniques, patterns, and your imagination to make anything you like... Like a cell phone case for instance!

Step 2: Select Your Shape
Pick a shape you like and something that will fit the size of your case.
I highly recommend photocopying your pattern from the book so it'll be easier to manipulate - you'll need two (2) copies.
Because Iris Folding involves laying different coloured materials in an overlapping pattern, I have found an easy way to keep track of what colour comes next. Select four (4) different coloured pencils.

Step 3: Colour Your Pattern
Using your four coloured pencils, colour one copy of your pattern so that every fourth number is the same.
Colour 1 will go in cells 1, 5, 9, 13, etc.
Colour 2 will go in cells 2, 6, 10, 14, etc.
Colour 3 will go in cells 3, 7, 11, 15, etc.
Colour 4 will go in cells 4, 8, 12, 16, etc.

Step 4: Choose Your Materials & Colours
Sturdy, cardstock-like paper works best for the frame that will hold you Iris Folding (the magenta on the finished pineapple design here) but scrapbook paper and regular coloured paper can also work.
Usually Iris Folding is done with paper that is folded (hence the name) to create a crisp edge. Using ribbon can add texture to your design.

Step 5: Create Your Frame
Using the other, un-coloured copy of your pattern, cut out the shape.
Trace your phone case on the wrong side of your frame paper. Center your cutout shape within the case outline and trace the shape.
Carefully cut out your traced shape from the frame using an exacto knife.

Step 6: Create Your Frame, continued
For the parts of your pattern that won't be part of the Iris Folded pattern, you need to create a colour block. For the case of this pineapple, it was the leaves at the top.
Cut that part off the pattern that was used to trace on the frame. Since this colour block will be stuck on from the back of the frame, it only needs to match the pattern where it connects to the Iris Folded portion.
Line the colour block up on the back of your frame and tape or glue in place.

Step 7: Organize Your Colours
Before you start, make sure you know which ribbon corresponds with which colour on your pattern.

Step 8: Start Your Pattern
Place your frame wrong side down on top of your coloured pattern. Line it up and tape in place along the top, sort of like a hinge. TIP: I used removable tape so I could easily remove it later.
Line up the edge of the ribbon with the long edge of cell 1; make sure the ribbon covers the whole cell and cut the ribbon making sure that it is long enough so that both ends overlap the frame. Use little bits of tape (permanent tape) to secure the ribbon in place.
Continue with the cells in order - cell 1, cell 2, cell 3, cell 4...
You can flip your frame up using the tape hinge to check your progress.

Step 9: Finish Your Pattern
Continue placing the ribbon until all the cells are covered.

Step 10: Finishing Touch
The center of the pattern needs to be filled with another colour block. I like to use shiny wrapping paper for extra sparkle.
Cut a piece larger than the hole and tape it in place.

Step 11: Secure Everything
Tape, tape, and more tape!
Tape over the whole back of the frame to secure everything in place.

Step 12: Almost Done
Cut out the shape of your case that you traced earlier.
Trim as required to fit in the case.

Step 13: Admire
Prepare to accept a lot of compliments on your new unique cell phone case!

ABOUT THE MAKER

Jennifer Black


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