UPDATE: I have completely re-written this tutorial with all new photos and better instructions and it is available as a licensed pattern in my pattern shop. The free tutorial for personal use is still available below!
I use a little zippered pouch to carry around my earbuds since they are the fancy microphone ones and I don’t want them to break or get tangled. Some of you have commented that you are looking for some small, simple gift ideas. This is definitely simple to make, and a little more fun than the typical rectangular zippered pouch! I can see these as the perfect gift for teenage cousins or nieces or girlfriends or even teacher gifts. Fun, quick, and cute! It doesn’t take very much fabric so you could even use scraps! Sometimes I have the perfect fabric for something but I only have a fat quarter, or I want to make something extra with the leftovers from another project. This is perfect for that. You could even use 5″ charm squares! You can enlarge any of the photos by clicking on them, if you need to. This is a very basic zippered pouch, so hopefully some of you beginners will try making one!
First, download the pattern file HERE.
Cut from main fabric:
1 circle
2 half circles
1 tab
Cut from lining fabric:
1 circle
2 half circles
Cut from batting (or medium weight interfacing, if you prefer):1 circle
2 half circles
You will also need a 1″ wide nylon 5″ or longer zipper.
Place one lining half circle right side up and place the zipper right side up on top. Align top edges.
Place a main fabric half circle wrong side up (right side together with the zipper). Place batting on top.
Sew with a 1/4″ seam allowance. It’s important to use a 1/4″ SA here because the zipper is 1″ wide, and if we use two 1/4″ seam allowances we are subtracting 1/4″ from each half circle but adding 1/2″ in the middle of the zipper. Perfect!
Fold back and repeat with the other side. Then trim the batting as best you can without cutting into the fabric.
Fold everything back and press well.
Make sure the back side is away from the zip as well.
Topstitch 1/8″ away from the edge with a longer stitch length.
Now make the tab for the side. Fold the tab in fourths – Fold the edges to the center and then fold in half and topstitch.
Fold the tab in half and place it with the raw edges towards the outside of the circle, folded edge in, right over the zipper and sew it at the same spot where you tacked the zip.
Now you need to place the circle pieces wrong sides together with the batting in the middle. Place the lining circle wrong side up. (I’m using solids so it doesn’t matter, but if you are using a print, place it right side DOWN, wrong side up.) Place the cotton batting on top. Place the main fabric circle on top of that. Like a quilt sandwich. It’s so small you don’t really need to pin. If you used fusible interfacing in place of batting, just place the two fabrics wrong sides together.
You should now have these two pieces. Make sure the zipper pull is IN THE MIDDLE of the circle. You don’t want to end up cutting it off!
Flip the full circle piece over on top of the piece with the zipper, right sides together. (Now, if I was showing you how to do this the “right” way, I would tell you to baste with a 1/8″ seam allowance around the outsides first. But this is a small pouch, and it will be fine if you don’t baste. Plus, it’s just for fun. Not basting also makes it easier to trim the batting after sewing!)
Time to sew! Start anywhere on the circle and sew all the way around with a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Since we didn’t use interfacing AND we are sewing in a circle, you might get some puckering (fusible interfacing helps keep the fabric stiffer so it doesn’t pucker as much.) It’s OK. Just lift up the presser foot every few stitches, pivot, smooth out the pucker and keep sewing.
Now cut off the zipper ends. Just don’t use your good fabric scissors! I keep an extra pair of scissors around of opening packages, cutting paper and cutting off ends of zippers.
Now pull back the fabric and try to trim as much batting out as you can without slicing fabric. I use sharp, tiny scissors for this. It’s not imperative but I think it helps reduce bulk.
Decision time! Since it’s difficult to hand stitch a curved opening shut, there will be some raw edges that we need to deal with. You have two options:
1. Trim the seam allowance to 1/4″. Zig zag, overlock and serge the raw edges before turning the pouch right side out. I also clipped the curves every 1/2″, but you probably don’t have to. The raw edges will be tucked way inside the pouch.
Add a split ring and your earbuds and you are done!
oh wow this is so fantastic! And a great use for scrap fabric! Can’t wait to make this project – thank you for posting :)
It’s awesome for scraps. I find myself measuring my scraps before I pitch them (I’m not the biggest scrap fan) because now I have a reason to save them. :) Thanks for visiting!
Great tutorial, will definitely be making this! :-) Thanks.
[...] you just need a way to carry your ear buds….check this out at Dog Under My Desk. Erin will show you how to make a cute pouch to carry your earbuds. Rate this: Like this:LikeBe [...]
I have to try this!! It is so cute and perfect for those scraps left from sewing
Can I translate this tutorial to Hebrew so more people will understand and be able to sew it?
I will give all the credit to your blog of course
I would love to have your permission
Thank you so much
Tamar
Hi i made one of these from your great tutorial you can check it out here
http://jennie61.blogspot.com/ Thanks for sharing it.
[...] Other little projects that I wanted to make we’re these earphone cases (tutorial by dog under my desk) [...]
I saw this on Jennie’s blog – so adorable – thanks for such a great tutorial, I’m going to have a go at one tomorrow :-)
I just made the eye bud case for myself. SO quick, LOVE IT!
Thanks you for a fab tutorial – this is my first attempt, but there will be more!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/runcibledays/6898013075/in/photostream
cAN SOMEONE MAKE ME 4 OFF THESE DUE TO HEALTH REASONS…..
Would you be interested in making 3 of these for me? I would pay great…
Brenda – I tried emailing you but it bounced back. Can you send me a message using the contact form? http://erinerickson.com/contact-me/ And please make sure you type your email address correctly. I’ll get right back to you. Thanks!
I would so buy a few of these since I don’t sew. Have you thought of selling them? If you do, email me please!!! Very cool idea!
Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
I made some pouches as a present for my friends.
[...] by making an ear bud pouch to hang off the side of my shoulder bag. Have you seen this tutorial at Dog Under My Desk? Erin won the Pink Chalk Studio tutorial competition with it last year. I was so pleased - I made [...]
Hi Erin, can we possibly buy these from you?! These are SO adorable and PERFECT! I would want a few for my friends, too! Please let me know! Thanks!
Diana
[...] I am training to run a 5K I have been all about my iPod and earbuds. When I saw this tutorial here I knew I could whip out a little earbuds carrying case in no time, and with scraps. It is much [...]
This is soo cool. I have been trying how to do this. Thanks Now I can use some of the zippers I have in my stash!!
So are you selling them?? I want one!
[...] Next is this super cute earbud holder. Tutorial by Dog Under My Desk [...]
Hi! I tried to contact you about featuring this on SewCanShe.com, but I haven’t heard back. Please let me know if that would be okay.
Thanks!
Caroline
Thanks for this tuto, i made one for my little brother and I think he will adore it ! I post my work saturday, you will see it then … (I offer it friday …)
Thanks again !
[...] bought a car a few months ago, the strike is moving into week FIVE.) I found this tutorial for a Zip Earbud Pouch linked to pinterest, from Erin Erickson’s blog called Dog Under my [...]
I finally made it!! :D thanks again for the tutorial!!
And congrats on all your success! Everyone wants to make this, or buy this, or feature this :)
Jenn
Really nice tutorial – super! Thanx!
[...] first one is a little earbud case. I am tired of being disorganized… so I’m going to make one of [...]
Definitely want to make some f these! They should be great gifts for daughter’s BFFs!
So I’m new to sewing… just bought a machine and then upgraded to a Embroidery one b/c they had a sale on a Viking :). Anyways, my first project that I did was your Two-Zip Hipster pattern (um… don’t know why I did that one as my first as it was not easy for me as a beginner LOL). Luckily I had help (I just had to have that bag LOL!!). I finished it yesterday and it looks great! Then I went back and sewed the Circle Zip Earbud Pouch on my own today, and it’s also super cute! I just wanted to say thanks for the detailed patterns. It really makes a difference!
Brandi
I made this for christmas for my 9 year old daughter. your tutorial was very easy to follow. and it turned out so cute! and what a great little idea you had. thank you so much. (i just taught myself to sew over the last year)
This is to cute, I will be making one. Thanks for the great tutorial you did a great job, making it very easy to do. I can’t wait to get sewing.
this is so cute, i will surely make one.. thanks for the tutorial, please keep on sharing!!
How cute! I definitely want to make one or two of these!! Thanks for sharing!
Love this, will be making these as Easter Basket stuffers! Thanks!
I love this little thing, I made one to match a tiny sundress and put a ribbon on it to hold her binkie…. lol Yes I know I am a bit goofy … looks like a tiny purse this way.
What a cute idea!!! I will have to have someone make mine. Your instructions are so easy to understand and detailed. I am going to see if I can have someone monogram an initial on it and give as a tradition gift!
Sorry meant Graduation gift.
[...] (I hope she doesn’t mind), and I made an earbud pouch out of scraps from the fabric (using Erin Erikson’s awesome tutorial). She’s a professional violist, so she probably always has an ipod in her [...]
I love this! I am making this for sure! Thanks for the tutorial!
This is great! And perfect for my best friend cause she had bought the new ipod haha I will do it for her birthday!!
I’m excited to try this, but my printer’s not working! Can you give me the measurements? Thanks!
Heather – it’s a 4.5″ circle. As long as you get close, it will be fine. :)
Love these! Thanks for the tutorial!
http://eskimomomma.blogspot.com/2012/03/whats-with-delay.html
what a super cute project, I just whipped one out for a friend in no time :)
thank you!
this is so perfect! I made one for a friend yesterday and was amazed at how easy and quick it was to put together. Thanks for posting a tutorial :)
So Cute! I just made one from some scrap fabric I liked .. went together quick and easy …thanks love this little project. I think I will make some for the grandkids with their Initials on them.
I’ve thought of adding initials or embroidery on the back too. If you make them, post some pics – we’d all love to see!
This was a very easy to follow tutorial. I made my first one last night and loved how easy it was and how cute it turned out that I made two more. I even enlarged the pattern and made a bigger bag. Someone had given me oodles of zippers so now I’m off and running. We are theme park enthusiasts so I’ll put my camera in one and hook it to my belt loop! What a great little bag. Thanks!
[...] started out wanting to make this cute little ear bud pouch by Erin Erickson. Isn’t it adorable ? Tiny and round. You can dangle it on your bag. The [...]
this is such a great idea. I have two sets of earbuds one for ipod and one for phone and they are always getting tangled. Can’t wait to make this
Wonderful tutorial!
Such adorable little pouches, many thanks for sharing your skills :)
Thank you so much for this great tutorial – I’ve just made my first but I’m sure it won’t be my last!
Awesome tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing!
Perfect and awesome tutorial! Please, tell me which is your Bernina’s model? Do you recommend it?
Спасибо! Очень полезная вещь! Попробую сделать себе такой же чехол.
[...] is just a mini-tutorial. I have only focused on the parts that are different than the circle pouch, so I have not included every step. Please reference that post for more instructions. This is [...]