Weekly Project: Make an iPod Tote Bag--Spring Fling Bling-Bling

You know those iPod tote bags that were all the rage on the morning news shows a couple of years ago? Costing around one hundred bucks, most of those bags seemed more suited for a fashion show rather than slogging music through your daily life.

After that high-societal craze died down, a more fanciful iPod tote bag emerged. While reasonable in cost, some of these bags would be tough to imagine toting around on the street.

Today, edgy designers like Burton have taken the iPod + speaker system concept and wrapped it up in a stylish bag that is both practical and functional. This is snowboarder chic. Unfortunately, these "x-treme" totes can cost near $200.

There has to be a better (read, cheaper) way. And here it is. Your own iPod tote bag for less than sixty bucks. You can take it to the beach, you can pimp your bag, and you can crank it up.

Step 1 Make an iPod Tote Bag

Time: 3 hours
Cost: $55.49
Difficulty: Moderate

Parts List

• Low-cost tote bag (Hobby Lobby; $1.95)
• Plastic mesh (craft store; $1.50)
• Embroidery (DIY; embroidery sewing machine)
• Patches (optional; if you lack an embroidery sewing machine)
• EL Wiring 80-inches ( Glow Products $14.55)
• Contrasting Fabric 1/4-yard (fabric store; $2.50)
• Macally IP-N111 Portable Stereo Speakers for iPod Nano 1st G ( J&R $34.99)

Comments

[buntyross]

i just loved this article.its simple superb. i think after i am done with this i dont need to run around for plug points to recharge my i pod.

-Ross @ lanyards

[GlowingSimon]

Be sure to add some flash to the bag with glow sticks.

[Princruby05]

You an make it for way cheaper just get Low-cost tote bag (Hobby Lobby; $1.95) Plastic mesh (craft store; $1.50) Headphone extender (electronic store, $5-6) Coby CS-MP23(Thenerds.net, $4) I just took it down in price to 13.50 at most 15 (with taxes)

[JellyWoo]

You could add a solar charger so it can charge while you are carrying it!

[SacTownSue]

"Make sure that your edges are plumb in the corners and that the zigzag stitching has tidied up the raw cut edges."
I pretty sure this is the first time I've seen/heard the word plumb used in sewing. lol
Try adding some FrayCheck to the raw edges too so they don't fray.

[Udigis]

Looks pretty good, it might be nicer if the bag could be a black one or some other colorful one.

[smith2000]

Nice bad. Great for Ipod I I want to buy it !
And also check for news at lifeinnews.com

[Fenwick]

This was definitely my idea. I swear to god, I was gonna make big fake fabric speakers and put it on my messenger bag. I still might. I was just gonna use a casette adapter and a stereo though. Popsci always spends more than you really have to.