I love to have my music with me everywhere I go, but I hate the tangled mess my wires become when I toss them in my bag or pocket. Last night I whipped up a fun and functional solution by adding a zipper to my earbuds.
This project took me around an hour to do (perfect for catching up on some t.v. from hulu.com). The supplies are few; basic sewing supplies, a pair of headphones, and a nice long zipper. I happened to have this crazy purple and gold nike zipper I found thrifting a while ago, it seemed perfect for this project.
The first step is to pull the earbuds apart, to separate the wires all the way down to the plug.
Next, take one side of your headphones and one side of the zipper tape and start stitching the wire into the tape. Simply fold the outside edge of the tape under to the wrong side (enclosing the wire) and use a running stitch to hold it in place. A little bit of glue could be used at the top to attach the end of the zipper to the earbud, but I found that it wasn’t necessary for me.
It’s as easy as that! Zipped up, I can toss them into my bag or pocket without worrying about tangles or having them get caught on something and breaking.
Then unzip them to the length I want and put them on so much faster than having to untangle the mess!
This is AWESOME! Great job! : )
AWESOME. What a great idea!
have I ever told you that you’re brilliant?
BRILLIANT!
This is absolutely genius! If I can put my knitting down for long enough this weekend, I’m going to give it a try. I can sew with my machine, but I’ve never hand sewn anything but knitting projects and felt craft projects.
Creative idea. I can’t wait to try it out at the gym.
Ester
This is so cool – great idea! My daughter can’t wait to make one for herself!
Wow! I LOVE this idea,. Must make one of my own! I have some extra zippers downstairs, Somewhere …
Very original idea! Thanks 4 share.
What a nice idea!!!
I think I’ll make it for myself!!
Thank you for sharing!!!!
Greeting from Italy!
you’re super smart this is awesome….and cool! thank you i saw this linked from outsapop
This is just soooo cool!!
Where did you find the extra-long zipper? I love the purple & yellow.
have you seen this? http://www.yankodesign.com/2009/04/22/zip-up-tangles/
That’s just brilliant! Break headphone wires is a problem that pursues me haha
I’ll try this. Thanks! =)
Awesome!
Now I need to find an extra-large zipper.
Very nice idea. Should definitely make one for myself.
Genius! I especially love that they are purple.
Oh my goodness this is PERFECT!! I’m so tired of untangling my daughter’s headphones, I’m going to do this tomorrow! Thanks so much for sharing this!
i was linked here from epbot. this is sooooooooo cool! thanks for sharing!!
I’m here from Epbot as well. This is brilliant…now I need a cool zipper….
The funny thing is, I just spent another ten minutes de-tangling a pair of earbuds that got buried in the bottom of my purse–this should be the perfect solution, as soon as I find a delightful zipper! (I too came from Epbot. *highfives Dawn*)
That is genius, absolute GENIUS! You are awesome!
Brilliant!
Awesome idea! I really want to make this now! Just found some zippers online, but they aren’t nearly as cute as yours. What brand is that?
this is an awesome idea, except for the fact that i replace my headphones every month because they break a lot soo…. :/
What an awesome idea for Christmas gifts!
That’s great, I did the same thing a few years ago…
Cheers!
This is a great idea. You should have shown a prorotype to the makers of any brand of earbuds. You coulda made a million dollars. I betcha within the year they will be on the market!!
This is the most crazy awesome, duly warranted idea EVER. I love music, and hate earphone-untangling. This is the perfect solution. You are a genius.
saw this on StumbleUpon. what a genius idea. I’m doing this today for myself, and then I am doing more for Christmas gifts. thanks so much for posting this.
Oh cool! I love the volume control on the zipper pull! that’s a little too advanced for me, I have no idea how they could do that. I wonder if it runs through the zipper teeth themselves? Thanks for the link~
Fabulous idea!! I’m going to do this for my hubby and son too…
Thanks for the inspiration!
Audrey
You guys realize she (perhaps accidentally) stole this idea from the brilliant Ji Woong. Seriously girl, at least give the proor guy credit instead of just ripping him off. http://www.yankodesign.com/2009/04/22/zip-up-tangles/
oh my gosh this is sick! sell them! I want some
BRILLIANT! I’m going to do mine today!
This is so totally cool!!! I LOVE it!!!! I’m going to go find some long zippers for my daughters and my MP3 players!!! Thank you for this fantastic idea!
What a GREAT idea! Genius!
This is seriously brilliant.
BRILLIANT! Welcome to my Christmas gift solution!
beyond brilliant. thanks for the help on this. you rock!
genius
super clever.
Thank you! This is brilliant! I’ve already made my own zip-up earplugs and I love them.
http://tinkelstein.blogspot.com/2010/11/reiverschluss-kopfhorer.html
You are a genius!
just way too wonderful! I now have the perfect gift idea for oh, at least 5 people on my list!
thanks so much!
I wrap my earbud cord around my nano, but even with that sometimes it tangles. I will try this as soon as the holiday craft fiesta is over!
Just made this for my brother-in-law for Christmas! Thanks for the tute!
I made these for my cousins for Christmas they loved them.. unfortunately I forgot to take a picture! Thank you for the great idea!
Kind of an awesome way to hide that you’re listening to music from your teachers. Just sayin.
FAntastic idea ! Going to make them for my children!
last but not least found somewhere with some useful particulars. thanks alot and keep it coming
Very nice idea! I will absolutley try this out.
I just have one question, doesnt the sharp part of the open zipper scratch your cheek when you move your head? or have you made a special solution for this?