Is it not annoying to have your earbud cord just flopping around when you are listening to music as you walk? Here is a way to be as stylish and unique as you want. The possibilities are endless with how you can customize the shape, color and even size of this button. Please vote for my instuctable in the 3D printing contest.

What you will need:

• Button down shirt
• CAD knowledge
• Caliper
• 3D Printer
• Needle and thread

BUTTON W CLIP.stl
Download View in 3D

Step 1: Take Measurements

Take button off your shirt and measure the diameter, thickness and diameter of the holes. This does not have to be exact. I rounded all measurement to the nearest half millimeter.

Also measure the thickness of your ear-bud cord.

Step 2: Draft Basic Shape

Open your favorite CAD program. I used Autodesk’s AutoCAD, but you can easily use Tinkercad if you wanted to.

Draw up the basic shape of the button

Step 3: Make Holes

Draw four cylinders with the same diameter as the holes of the button. Make sure that they are taller than the button so they can be subtracted easily.

Use whatever command your CAD program uses to subtract the four smaller cylinders from the button.

Step 4: The Clip

This is the same procedure as making the last holes.

Make a cylinder the same measurement as your earbud thickness.

Rotate the cylinder horizontally.
Make sure the thickest part of the cylinder is just below the surface of the button, and avoid the thread holes.

Step 5: Prepare for Printing

Export your drawing as an .STL file.
Open your .STL file in whatever program you use for 3D printing, I use MakerWare. Then just print it in whatever color you have.