Winter is finally here in Massachusetts. While digging in the ‘Hats’ plastic tub today, I happened upon a flappy hat from last year. SantaMaker recently brought me some cheap headphones, and a few amplified speakers too (but those are for another project). Tonight turned out to be the time to merge the two into a HeadphoneHat. I’ve been thinking of the Rock Star Headphones project in Fashioning Technology as an inspiration for a way to take music on the go. There is a similar project in Diana Eng’s book Fashion Geek.
First thing was to gather all the stuff: Headphones, a flappy hat, a nice sharp pair of shears, a seam ripper, some thread and a needle were all this project called for.
You can view my photos of making the first HeadphoneHat on Flickr.
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Step #1:
Next- Gather the supplies:
- A flappy hat
- Headphones with speakers that are smaller than the flaps (not earbuds)
- Scissors or shears
- Seam ripper
- Thread to match the hat
- Needle
Step #2:
Next
- Open up the seam on the back side of the flap
- I used a seam ripper, but you could carefully cut with scissors or a utility knife.
- You don't want the bottom to be open, as the speakers will fall out.
- You don't want the front edge of the flap to have the hole, as it will look ugly with the wire showing forward.
- Usually, flappy hats have the flaps slightly to the rear of the hat.
Step #3:
Next
- Test to see if you can fit the speaker into the hole you just made in the seam.
- If not, open the seam up a bit.
- Pop the speaker in and position it.
- Make sure the speaker is facing the inside of the hat.
Step #4:
Next
- Reinforce the seam at both ends of the opening you made.
- Test to see if you can get the headphones out.
- If your opening is too narrow, rip out one of your reinforcements and make the hole a little wider.
- Leaving the hole a little small is good so the speakers don't fall out.
Step #5:
Next
- Try out your hat.
- You may need to position the speakers so they sit over your ears consistently.
- You could add some sticky backed hook and loop to the back of the speakers.
- You may be able to use just the hook side and have it stick to the fabric of the flap.
Step #6:
- Use your hat.
- Show it to your friends.
- Try it with your phone.
- Ask your friends what features you might add.
- Make another.
- Give it away or sell it.
